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Letter to the Editor

COVID-19 vaccines for poor countries

It's so encouraging to hear that the vaccines for COVID-19 from Pfizer and Moderna are becoming a reality and will soon be available to be deployed.Many advanced countries are competing to reserve their country's portion of the vaccines and in the case of Canada they have pre-bought enough vaccines for 10 times the population. The mechanism to help vaccines be bought and distributed to other countries has been set up and is called the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. Now the question is, “Is there enough money in this envelope to buy and deploy the vaccines for the most vulnerable people?” South Korea is making concerted efforts to secure vaccines for its own people and the unification minister is very vocal about supplying vaccines for North Koreans.South Korea should definitely secure vaccines for its own people and North Koreans but also make sure it does its fair share by committing 1 percent of the country's domestic COVID-19 response to ACT, so that not only it serves its own people but the entire world. Sunnie KimGangbuk-gu, Seoul

Dec 3, 2020

Set the record straight

Dear editor,We have seen an article titled “Human rights violations ― painful history shared by women in Korea, Kashmir” that was published in your newspaper on Sept. 8.The article is riddled with factual inaccuracies, false narratives and baseless allegations against India. Above all, it is politically motivated and divorced from ground realities. The purpose of writing this letter is to set the record straight and present the facts to your esteemed readers in an objective manner.Jammu and Kashmir is and has been an integral part of India since Oct. 26, 1947, when the then ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession to bring about its lawful merger with the Union of India.This accession was completely lawful in terms of the Government of India Act, 1935, Indian Independence Act, 1947, and international law, and is total and irrevocable. On the contrary, Pakistan is in illegal and forcible occupation of Indian territories of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.On Aug. 5, 2019, the Parliament of India pass

Sep 24, 2020

Help developing countries cope with COVID-19

After record-long rainy days and their damage plus the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 resurgence, one would wonder if there's any end to the tunnel anywhere.President Moon Jae-in is largely surrounded by criticism that comes with the second half of his mandate. and a growing number of people have begun to voice the opinion that he can't seem to do anything right. Understandably, the patience of Koreans is beginning to run thin. Yet all is not negative. Among the better news that has transpired over the past few days is that Doctors Without Borders was able to secure a six-month moratorium on restrictions on TB diagnostic and treatment supplies to be shipped to North Korea. While many might think that it's probably wrong to focus on people outside of South Korea at this time, we must remember our dreadful days of a developing nation just a few decades ago.We must build solidarity with those who do not have the wherewithal to defend themselves from the pandemic. So it's great the South Korean government announced a $50 million package to make COVID-19 therapeutics and diagnostics a

Aug 20, 2020

COVID-19 and US hegemony at crossroads

America today stands at a crossroads, one that questions the very legitimacy and longevity of its imperial hegemony. As a Korean American studying in the U.S., I worry that I am committing myself to a country that is now a falling order, an imploding structure.Several questions must be asked. American scientists are some of the smartest, and its economy is unparalleled in size ― how is it, then, that it has failed so miserably in responding to this virus? The U.S. harbors some of the largest tech giants, too ― why is it, then, that even basic tech infrastructure for contact tracing is lacking?What is really challenged here is American ideology. Consider how Congress paid for a $2.4 trillion stimulus package when it could not afford basic needs, such as testing and masks. The priority here was placed not on public health, but on economic progress. Unfortunately, in this pursuit of economy over public health, the U.S. lost both, posing a great challenge of legitimacy to the American neoliberal ethic.And why are Americans so uniquely against wearing masks? Consider, here, the importance

Aug 20, 2020

How to deal with 'corona blues'

These are strange times we are living in. The new coronavirus has us all practicing social distancing, and staying away from large social gatherings such as school as much as we possibly can. This is no doubt critical for our physical health. But it's certainly creating a lot of challenges for mental health. The fact that I can't meet up with friends, get proper exercise, or go anyplace without wearing a mask … I have to admit it's stressing me out.I did some research on this phenomenon. It turns out that there's a term for it: the “corona blues.” All around the world, people are stuck at home feeling anxious, lonely and depressed. It can result in bad digestion, headaches and insomnia.Because all of us struggle with this situation in different ways, I wanted to pass on some useful tips I got from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stay safe and healthy everyone! Five tips for dealing with the corona blues:1. Take care of your body: Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, and avoid junk food and fast food. Get enough sleep, and open a window for s

May 15, 2020

Italian position on Eurobond negotiations

Dear editor,I'm writing this letter regarding a cartoon representing Italy and the EU published in the April 24 edition of The Korea Times. The need for a joint and structured European Union response to the sanitary, economic and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is not only about issuing “Eurobonds,” nor it is a purely Italian request. All 27 member states of the EU have recognized, most remarkably at the European Council, the need for a serious mobilization by the European Union and a shift from an emergency approach to a structured approach which would allow to preserve its foundations, including the common market.The situation linked to COVID-19 is unprecedented, in Italy like in the rest of the world. Acting on how to deal better with the consequences of the pandemic in no way can be termed as populism, and indeed, in order to overcome this crisis and start the recovery together, all 27 EU member states have recently agreed to establish a “Recovery Fund” dedicated to the sanitary, economic and social emergency due to the pandemic. The init

May 4, 2020

Take serious action against pandemic

Dear editor,In regards to a Korea Times editorial titled “United front against virus” published in the March 28-29 edition, we would like to share our point of view with the esteemed newspaper, as follow: 1. As you know, the dreadful coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading all around the world as a serious pandemic threat to human society. It is incumbent upon all countries to rise up unanimously against this calamitous malady, irrespective of all political differences and geopolitical distances, and cooperate in minimizing its devastating human, economic and social impacts. 2. In the meantime, along with re-emphasizing and aligning paragraphs: “Now they are required to put their commitment into action. This is easier said than done. But if they are only long on words and short on action, the world can never defeat the pandemic,” we need to emphasize that in fighting the global crisis, in addition to speaking, we must also take serious actions to fight this global phenomenon. 3. Indeed, under circumstances in which the people of Iran are in need of international s

Apr 9, 2020

Nature, humans and coronavirus

Dear editor,My letter is about the novel coronavirus. If one views the entirety of nature as a living being, it is obvious that its existence is being gravely threatened and harmed by humans. This living being is at risk of being completely destroyed. What could be more natural than that nature is trying to defend itself against this threat?It has been proven that a group of trees utilizes a collective defense system against danger.Perhaps all subdomains of nature communicate in a similar way and are developing a common defense strategy.Humans view themselves as the ruler, and nature as their subject.It is possible that we are now being undone by our own grave mistake.The coronavirus is potentially one way in which nature, having been oppressed, is seeking to defend itself.We still have the chance to acknowledge our deeds, to comprehend them, and to change.Herbert Terhag WeibdornwegCologne, Germany

Apr 9, 2020

Coronavirus and Trump

Dear editor,I'm writing this letter in regard to an op-ed piece, “Media focused on blaming coronavirus on Trump,” which was written by Michael Shannon and published in the March 21-22 edition.I want to thank The Korea Times for offering such a direct insight into the worldview and language of Trump's core-followers that I wouldn't otherwise get. The vocabulary, including the remarkable capital letters, is obviously shaped by his presidential tweets: “Opposition Media,” “Speech Police,” “rabidly anti-Trump leftists”...The author is seriously saying that, after the “negligible” Russian interference in American elections, “exaggerated” by the OpMedia, we have now a “very tangible” “Chinese interference” that “may do damage to President Trump's re-election.”But the author cannot say that “U.S. deaths and economic upheaval” are “the fault of some bat-eating folks in China” because the Speech Police would call this “racist”! He cannot even use &ldq

Mar 30, 2020

School shutdown amid spreading virus

Dear editor, The coronavirus has impacted the daily lives of everybody in Korea. First of all, schools have been closed for about four weeks and we don't know how much longer it will be. Some students think, “Wow, the winter vacation got longer!” But this is not a good idea because the longer the winter vacation is, the shorter the summer vacation will be. I am a first year student in middle school; but since school has not started yet, I do not feel like a middle school student yet.Secondly, most students don't do anything these days. They have no homework, because even some cram schools, or hagwon, are closed temporarily. Many students say that they are gaining weight because all they do is stay home, play games on their smartphones, and eat.People feel uncomfortable when other people cough. There is a disconnect among family members and among friends. There are few customers in shops. It is quiet.We all hope that treatment for diseases like the novel coronavirus will be discovered or developed to revitalize our economy. I also want to start middle school and meet my fr

Mar 30, 2020
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