The Korea Times

Is Korean law fair?

Courtesy of Jeanne MenjouletBy David A. TizzardBureaucracy, jargon, people in funny wigs, ritual, pomp, courtroom dramas, briefcases, legal fees, Omar in a tie, and the monopoly of power exercised by the state. The law is difficult and esoteric but at its heart it is something that is meant to affect us all equally. Lady Justice looks out over the citizens blindfolded, unware of our differences, our circumstances, and our social position. She holds in one had a set of scales, in the other, a sword. The former representing impartiality and the necessity of a fair and balanced trial that considers all evidence and possibilities; the latter symbolizes the enforcement of the law, respect, and, importantly, the ability to protect and defend those who require it. And this is how a functioning legal system is meant to work. Of course there are differences between civil law and common law countries, as well as a whole host of historical and cultural factors, but the basic principles of justice remain fairly consistent.We also know that regardless of how perfect any institution might sound in

May 22, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

K-ideology: The end of communication?

Courtesy of 8 astanBy David A. TizzardWe all eat from a trashcan called ideology, but few of us are aware of it. Thus it has been said that ideology is like bad breath: you can smell everyone else's but your own. And of course, I include myself in these dietary and dental descriptions. None of us is free from ideology. We are all enslaved by this reality. The world appears to us as a paradigm, with things appearing as fundamentally right or wrong, accordingly. The tragedy of our predicament is that there is a growing number of people in society who see the same world differently.These differences in views cause cleavages, division, hate, gaslighting, fear, and more so than ever, the commodification of these emotions and desires, so as to generate money and maintain a status quo that serves the rich and powerful, but does little to ease the suffering of those of us without.The cynical might even suggest that some social media platforms and news broadcasters do their best to exacerbate such tensions, because doing so drives their own financial interests, despite what societal and exist

May 15, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Can you speak Korean?

Courtesy of Korea.NetBy David A. TizzardSince Plato and Confucius advocated society be ruled by philosophers and sages, and J.S. Mill et al suggested that a human's worth is found in their ability for rational thought, it has often been the case that people will value and champion that which they already possess. Thus rich people also advocate wealth and artists promote creativity. If people have worked hard to acquire these skills, talents, or abilities, they are even more likely to find value in them and demand, to a certain degree at least, that they be recognized by society. This week, I ask: How much Korean should one know to comment on Korea, Korean culture, and life in general? Obviously, according to some, the language simply isn't enough ― you have to be born on Dokdo, singing Arirang, and have a tattoo of Tangun emblazoned across on your chest. But more seriously, it is undeniable that the more Korean one speaks, the more one is able to ascertain what is going on. Words and ideas often seem to mean different things in different places because of the symbiotic webs of cultur

May 9, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Punk Christianity in Korea

Courtesy of Dickson PhuaBy David A. TizzardChristianity is punk. It can be a progressive force in Korea capable of being the catalyst for vast social change and challenging the existing social order. It is capable of flouting convention and providing new vistas. At least, it used to be. An idea that fascinates me is how ideologies with very real effects on people's day-to-day lives can act as either forces of change or tools of oppression, according to the environment in which they manifest. Here in South Korea, Confucianism and Christianity (admittedly very broad terms which don't always accurately convey the various denominations and approaches found under the singular umbrella) both arrived as anti-establishment forces. With the passage of time, they've become negatively associated by many with the status quo, as well as of holding the country and people back from achieving modernity. Let's address Confucianism's progressive arrival first. The Silla Dynasty is sometimes said to have been a time of great gender equality, giving rise to three Korean queens as well as the provocative

May 2, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

The end of capitalism?

Courtesy of Mr CuriosityBy David A TizzardEven the most cursory glance around South Korea today will show you a great chasm appearing, one exacerbated by the continuing effects of the pandemic. The millionaires and billionaires become richer and richer while the self-employed, the laborers, those who deliver our goods, and those who cook our food face harder and harder times with little in the way of respite or relief. Newspapers gleefully report of the Korean stock market making great gains and huge conglomerates tabling record profits, yet those around us face uncertainty in their day-to-day lives.The material conditions of life have never changed in South Korea as quickly as they have done during the past few decades with paddy fields giving way to iPhones and Porsches. Cities are now connected by 5G buses and trains with aircon and calming videos of puppy dogs.The miracle on the Han River brought with it a liberal belief in the equality of opportunity; as ever, this then brought its own problems.Those less gifted, less ruthless, and less lucky received no protection and then cons

Apr 18, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Shall we boycott Beijing 2022?

Workers fix the surface of a road outside the newly completed National Speed Skating Oval ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics test events in Beijing, March 31. APBy David A TizzardIn 2017, a world champion did something most remarkable: they refused to take part in a competition which they believed was prolonging human suffering. In doing so, they forfeited both their titles and considerable prize money but retained their dignity.Obviously this wasn't a multi-millionaire Nike-sponsored athlete otherwise you would have likely heard about it before now. Instead, this was two-time women's chess champion Anna Muzychuk declaring she would not defend her title in Saudi Arabia. Muzychuk's reasons were clear: “I decided not to go to Saudi Arabia. Not to play by someone's rules, not to wear an abaya, not to be accompanied getting outside and altogether not to feel myself a secondary creature.”Regardless of how one feels about Saudi Arabia as a state, surely one can at least respect Anna Muzychuk's position. She would not allow her own personal values to be compromised by the

Apr 10, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Portrait of a xenophobic Facebook troll

Courtesy of Joe FloodBy David A TizzardWhen a person attributes all or part of a country's misfortunes to the presence of “foreigners,” and if they propose that problems can be solved by expelling said foreigners, we might be told that they are merely expressing an opinion, and moreover, that they have a right to that opinion. Yet we should consider what we mean by the word, “opinion.” Of course, opinions are held on a great many things: music, art, food, movies, shoes, sports, even one's favorite type of fried chicken. The word, “opinion,” suggests that all statements are of equal value; that all are permissible. In addition, by referencing democratic institutions and the right to free speech, some suggest that all statements ought to be allowed to be expressed. What I seek to explore here is the Facebook troll. This figure is someone whom I'm sure many around the world will know, for it is a global phenomenon. Such behavior is not limited to Facebook, but that's as good a place to start as any other. First, being a xenophobic Facebook troll can c

Apr 3, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Who likes BTS? A survey of 400,000 fans around the world

BTS / Courtesy of Big Hit EntertainmentBy David A. TizzardThe 19th century French dramatist, Alfred de Musset, once remarked, “Great artists have no country.” He was correct. A sociological survey on more than 400,000 BTS fans took place between July and September 2020, and the results were finally released last week. To ensure maximum exposure, the survey was translated into 46 different languages and featured responses from over 100 countries and territories.What did we learn from it? Quite a lot actually. Of course the survey is not representative of “every” BTS fan from around the world, but academics can only dream of getting close to half a million respondents for their research.I frequently read academic peer-reviewed pieces making all sorts of claims about K-Pop fandom after dealing with only anywhere between 6 to 20 people. Thus, in terms of logistics, organization, and cooperation, the people behind the survey (Chaviva Grover, Roxana Ciocirlea, and Nicole Santero) should be applauded for both their efforts and achievements. This survey is some seriou

Mar 27, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Who likes BTS? A survey of 400,000 fans around the world

BTS' 'Life Goes On' video passes 300 million YouTube views

Opinion

Wanted: Mayor of Seoul

Courtesy of Grego1402The following is a satirical column in the form of a job application. It seeks to highlight some of the recent issues in Korean society in the lead-up to the election for the Mayor of Seoul and hopes that a better world can be created for us all going forward.By David A. TizzardThe city of Seoul is seeking applicants for the position of chief executive of the metropolitan government. The successful candidate will be given a budget of 40.05 trillion won for the upcoming year and provided official accommodation at the Mayor's residence in Hyehwa-dong. The contract will run for a period of 4 years and be renewable a maximum of two times. The population of Seoul currently stands at just under 10,000,000 people.There are a few basic requirements to be eligible for the position. First, it is required that the successful candidate not sexually harass their co-workers, staff, or members of the public. Second, they are asked to provide written notice before terminating their contract.Second, with construction around Gwanghwamun Square currently taking place, we ask the ca

Mar 22, 2021By David A. Tizzard

Opposition candidates for Seoul mayor lead ruling party rival by wide margins: poll

Opinion

What is a foreigner?

Courtesy of CreditDebitProBy David A. TizzardKorean racism must be understood differently from Western racism. Things here are a complex intermingled product of colonial history, postwar American influence and continued military presence, rapid economic development, compressed modernity, and a form of patriotism that emphasizes its perceived ethnic homogeneity.In the 21st century, Korean national identity is often still seen through an ethnic lens rather than a legal or cultural one. Thus despite many non-Koreans being legally accepted by South Korea, when seen through the prism of nationhood they are commonly regarded as “others.” The adopting of an ethnic identity for nationhood is not unique to Korea nor is it a binary distinction. Research by Zeljana Zmire for example points to the fact that the Korean ethnic identity is stronger than its German counterpart but weaker than that which manifests in Japan. Gil-soo Han's work on nouveau-riche nationalism in South Korea suggests that the ethnic nationalism manifests here as a perceived cultural superiority over other natio

Mar 13, 2021By David A. Tizzard

David A. Tizzard

Read more

Is Korean law fair?

K-ideology: The end of communication?

Can you speak Korean?

Punk Christianity in Korea

The end of capitalism?

Shall we boycott Beijing 2022?

Portrait of a xenophobic Facebook troll

Who likes BTS? A survey of 400,000 fans around the world

Wanted: Mayor of Seoul

What is a foreigner?

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