The Korea Times

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 2

There is no doubt that for many Korean people in the 19th and early 20th centuries, life was difficult and people did what they could to survive. The idea of eating dogs may have been unthinkable for many of the self-described civilized Westerners, but it wasn’t unheard of. Explorers, especially at the poles, ate dogs. In 1912, Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, ate many of his dogs during his South Pole expedition and found it appealing, claiming “it is anything but a real hardship to eat dog flesh.”

Jan 22, 2024By Robert Neff

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 1

Opinion

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 1

Earlier this month, the Korean government announced that it will ban breeding, butchering, distributing and selling of dogs for meat — to take effect in 2027. The dog-meat issue has long been a contentious one between those arguing its part of Korean tradition and those arguing the practice is cruel and barbaric — a vestige of the past when Korea was not as prosperous.

Jan 21, 2024By Robert Neff

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 2

Opinion

Frederic H. Dustin's temporarily world-famous Jeju Island guesthouse

In the summer of 1971, Jeju Island was anything but a tropical paradise. Frederic H. Dustin, an American who had recently married, was trying to complete his house so that he could bring his bride, Marie-Louise, to live with him on the island. The worst drought in 37 years gripped the island and many fervently wished for a storm to come and bring relief. Dustin was one of those praying, despite not being very religious (although he married a missionary’s daughter), for rain as he feared for his crop of watermelons and cantaloupes. He should have heeded the old saying, “be careful of what you wish for, lest it come true.” His wish did come true, and a powerful typhoon struck the island in early August.

Jan 13, 2024By Robert Neff

Frederic H. Dustin's temporarily world-famous Jeju Island guesthouse

Opinion

The Forgotten Russian Christmas

For many people, Christmas is the holiday for giving. A time to gather together with friends and family, put aside petty differences and concentrate on making things better. Gifts are exchanged, toasts are made and all enjoy a bountiful feast — even during years marked with turbulence, unrest and disease.

Jan 7, 2024By Robert Neff

Opinion

Keeping time in Joseon: Part 3

Long before smartphones — and prior to them, pagers — became an integral part of our daily life, there was “Korean time.” When I first arrived in Korea as a young soldier, the only way to contact and meet my Korean friends was by the ambiguous public payphones. As I remember, a local call cost only 20 won — even then, a very small sum of money. Although the calls were affordable, standing in the long lines to use the phone was particularly annoying. And, even worse, you could only call the person at their home, business or at a prearranged phone number.

Jan 6, 2024By Robert Neff

Opinion

Theft in Joseon: Part 2

They say that time is the most precious thing in life – far more valuable than money or luxury goods. People often freely (and sometimes, grudgingly) give and receive it between friends and family, but would you be willing to steal it from strangers?

Dec 31, 2023By Robert Neff

Opinion

Gift-giving in Joseon: Part 1

Often business is nothing more than the purchase of another person’s time. But sometimes, it takes a physical form. One of the earliest business transactions involving Americans and Koreans took place in the summer of 1883 when Kim Ok-kuin, a Korean official, purchased a number of items from James R. Morse, an American businessman who owned “The American Clock & Brass Company” in Yokohama, Japan.

Dec 30, 2023By Robert Neff

Opinion

Christmas on Ganghwa Island 1927

In 1927, Miss Jeannette Oldfather, an American missionary from Iowa, wrote, “Christmas in Korea is a happy affair [although] there are few gifts for the children.” She was especially concerned for the children on Ganghwa and the smaller islands surrounding it “where the children have never seen dolls.” However, she was determined to change that — with, of course, Santa Claus’ help.

Dec 24, 2023By Robert Neff

Ice-skating in Joseon-era Seoul

Opinion

Ice-skating in Joseon-era Seoul

For many of us, winter is best viewed from the comfort of our nice warm homes. Plummeting temperatures make even short walks to the bus stop or subway station into epic adventures filled with danger. Bundled in layer upon layer of clothing, one must contend with patches of black ice, carelessly wielded umbrellas and drivers who overestimate their vehicle’s ability to stop when confronted by pedestrians at the crosswalk.

Dec 23, 2023By Robert Neff

Christmas on Ganghwa Island 1927

Opinion

Whispers of the Past: Remembering Ivan N. Korneev

In the summer of 1894, China and Japan were at war and battling for hegemony over the Korean Peninsula. Somewhat ironically, Korea, at the time, was often referred to as “the Land of the Morning Calm.”

Dec 16, 2023By Robert Neff

Robert Neff

Read more

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 2

A dog's life in Joseon: Part 1

Frederic H. Dustin's temporarily world-famous Jeju Island guesthouse

The Forgotten Russian Christmas

Keeping time in Joseon: Part 3

Theft in Joseon: Part 2

Gift-giving in Joseon: Part 1

Christmas on Ganghwa Island 1927

Ice-skating in Joseon-era Seoul

Whispers of the Past: Remembering Ivan N. Korneev

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