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Letters 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Thoughts of the Times

  • Journey to Gunsan

    My recent trip to Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, began with a surprisingly luxurious ride. Boarding an express bus with two friends on a hot summer morning, we were struck by its high-end, almost first-class interior — reclining seats, privacy curtains, personal screens and even complimentary bottled water. It was hardly the bus ride we had expected. Upon arrival, our first stop was Iseongdang, the city's legendary bakery. Even in the sweltering summer heat, waiting in line for fresh pastries and coffee felt like a joyful ritual before heading out for brunch. Our afternoon walk took us to the historic Gyeongnam-dong Railroad Village, where the nostalgic atmosphere and old-fashioned shop fronts felt strangely reminiscent of a Japanese “omatsuri,” or festival. It was fascinating yet surreal, as though a time machine had transported us to another country while we remained firmly in Korea — a true paradox of nostalgia and historical pain. That superficial charm, however, quickly gave way to a sobering reality at the Gunsan Modern History Museum. A neon sign bearing the words, “A n

    By Shin Hye-suk

  • By land or by sea

    By Lee Sun-ho

  • The religious life of uncle, my neighbor

    By Kim Jin-heon

  • Loving myself

    By Kim Ae-ran

  • A day in the life of a retiree

    By Lee Hyon-soo

Read more

Thoughts of the Times

Journey to Gunsan

My recent trip to Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, began with a surprisingly luxurious ride. Boarding an express bus with two friends on a hot summer morning, we were struck by its high-end, almost first-class interior — reclining seats, privacy curtains, personal screens and even complimentary bottled water. It was hardly the bus ride we had expected. Upon arrival, our first stop was Iseongdang, the city's legendary bakery. Even in the sweltering summer heat, waiting in line for fresh pastries and coffee felt like a joyful ritual before heading out for brunch. Our afternoon walk took us to the historic Gyeongnam-dong Railroad Village, where the nostalgic atmosphere and old-fashioned shop fronts felt strangely reminiscent of a Japanese “omatsuri,” or festival. It was fascinating yet surreal, as though a time machine had transported us to another country while we remained firmly in Korea — a true paradox of nostalgia and historical pain. That superficial charm, however, quickly gave way to a sobering reality at the Gunsan Modern History Museum. A neon sign bearing the words, “A n

17h agoBy Shin Hye-suk
Journey to Gunsan
Thoughts of the Times

By land or by sea

Recently, I happened to find an interesting article titled “By Land or by Sea: Continental Power, Maritime Power and the Fight for a New World Order” by Sarah C. M. Paine, William S. Sims University Professor of History and Grand Strategy Emerita at the U.S. Naval War College, through Foreign Affairs magazine. I read through the whole article with keen interest. As I expected, it was a long look at current international affairs concerning the fight for a new world order. The competition for power over international arenas originates from geography, and has produced two antithetical global outlooks: “continental power” and “maritime power.” In the continental world, the currency of power is land. Most countries inhabit a continental world with multiple neighbors, including hegemonic powers such as China and Russia. They funnel resources into their militaries to protect their borders, while also trying to conquer and intimidate their neighbors in wealth-destroying wars. The result is a vicious cycle. By contrast, maritime states with oceanic borders see money, not territory,

1d agoBy Lee Sun-ho
By land or by sea
Thoughts of the Times

The religious life of uncle, my neighbor

"Mr. Kim," who is 85 years old, is a farmer. He lives in Goheung County, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. As a retired elder, he goes to church twice a day, at dawn and at 5 p.m. There he prays for himself, his family and his church. He has continued this life of prayer for over 70 years, since he was 15 years old. One of the episodes he experienced during this period of incessant praying life was when a typhoon swept through his village. During the storm, his family tried to dissuade him from going to church, but he went nevertheless. Crossing a swollen stream, his Bible fell from his hand and into the water. He had to watch it float away. He immediately returned to his house and asked his children to help find the lost book. Fortunately, one of his children found it caught on a tree in the stream. Mr. Kim spent many days drying his Bible so it could be used again. His unwavering commitment to prayer has helped and guided him throughout his life. As an eldest son, Mr. Kim served his faithless parents even though conflicts arose. Conflicts for example, over performing ancestr

2d agoBy Kim Jin-heon
The religious life of uncle, my neighbor
Thoughts of the Times

Loving myself

All the Catholic churches in Korea are enthusiastically preparing for World Youth Day 2027. One of the most thoughtful programs is counseling for young people by Jeon Jin Sang Spirituality Center, a psycho-spiritual counseling center. Considering that Korea has the highest suicide rate in the world, counseling is one of the most valuable programs to prevent suicide. In every problem, the fundamental issue is how to love oneself as one is. "Loving Yourself for God's Sake," written by Adolfo Quezada and published by Resurrection Press in 1997, has become one of the spiritual classics. It is a gentle, simple, and concise guide to loving oneself, not based on selfishness but based on God's love — it is an invitation to value the self as God’s gift. Its Korean translation was first published in 2003. Since then, it has become a steady seller among Pauline books. Adolfo Quezada was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1940. He was raised and educated in Arizona. He earned a B.A. in political science and M.A. degrees in journalism and in counseling. A spiritual writer and a retired professional

Aug 13, 2026By Kim Ae-ran
Loving myself
Thoughts of the Times

A day in the life of a retiree

One of my favorite songs is "My Way," sung by Frank Sinatra. The song's quiet dignity in facing the closing chapter of life resonates deeply with me and often leads me to reflect on my own journey. Unlike the man in the song, however, I cannot claim that I have lived entirely my own way. Nor can I say that I have no regrets. My greatest regret is that I have few fond memories of my youth. Born into a poverty-stricken and socially unstable country, I spent my formative years amid hardship and uncertainty. Even so, I managed to overcome every obstacle that stood in my way and emerged into adulthood unscathed. By the time I graduated from college, Korea's remarkable economic rise was well underway, and I was fortunate to play a small part in it as a banker. After marrying, I worked tirelessly to provide for my family and, above all, to give my children a better upbringing than I had. They rewarded my efforts by growing into independent, responsible adults. After seeing them happily married, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that I had done my duty as a parent. With a sigh of rel

Aug 12, 2026By Lee Hyon-soo
A day in the life of a retiree
Thoughts of the Times

Loved for what? Love and masculinity in the age of neoliberalism

"When it comes to compatibility between men and women, the French match on taste, the Italians match on physical chemistry, and Koreans match on 'specs' — but in the end, mating always comes down to DNA." In a video analyzing dating entertainment shows, YouTuber Cho Seung-yeon argues that programs like "I Am Solo" and "Single's Inferno" offer a window into observing many facets of Korean society. Since the explosive rise of romance reality shows in the late 2010s, these programs have followed a formula: a new contestant is introduced into a room full of men and women to keep the dopamine flowing, and in the process, viewers' reactions become a lens through which we can glimpse popular attitudes toward relationships. Moreover, the obsession within youth culture with cultural memes like "Teto," "Egen" and "secure attachment type" reveals a longing for the "hexagonal person" — someone whose inner self and outward appearance are as flawlessly complete and finished as a mass-produced product, requiring no further refinement. Within this context, human relationships become a form of shop

Aug 11, 2026By Chang Se-myeong
Loved for what? Love and masculinity in the age of neoliberalism
Thoughts of the Times

Why don't North Koreans revolt? (Part 1)

Whenever I speak alongside North Korean refugees, one question often comes up. Why hasn't there been a revolution in North Korea? The reality is that North Koreans have resisted. What follows are some of the reported uprisings and alleged coup attempts, the smaller acts that rarely get counted, and the machinery the government built to keep any of it from spreading. In May 1987 at Camp 12 in Changpyong, Onsong County, a prisoner in a coal mine allegedly killed a guard who had been beating another prisoner, and hundreds joined him before guards arrived with machine guns, and the revolt was crushed, according to the Chosun Ilbo. In 1992, North Korean officers who had studied at the Soviet Union's Frunze Military Academy, having watched perestroika and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, allegedly plotted to remove Kim Jong-il on the 60th anniversary of the Korean People's Army on April 25. About 70 senior commanders were arrested and purged. Jasper Becker, citing the head of South Korean intelligence, said about 30 officers attempted a mutiny at Seventh Corps headquarters in Hamheung in Marc

Aug 11, 2026By Casey Lartigue Jr.
Why don't North Koreans revolt? (Part 1)
Thoughts of the Times

France: Baby it's hot inside

PARIS -- France has had a bad summer. Its first heat wave in June was part of a wider Europe-spanning scorcher where temperatures went from the usual 20s and 30s to the dangerously broiling numbers of high 30s to low 40s. The heat waves, or canicules, recalled the now record swelter of summer 2003 complete with the predictable forest fires in the south and the pine barren blazes in the southeast. The August 2003 canicule caused as many as 15,000 deaths, mostly of older home-bound people. Why then have they done so little to mitigate these symptoms of hot summers? Naturally there’s the official Green government position which has genuinely lessened carbon emissions. France and the European Union countries are tirelessly proving they are leaders in cutting emissions, though given the usually poor air quality in Paris that’s hard to believe. But what about making homes, apartments and public transportation cooler for people who live in the present and not in the hypothetical climate charts of 10 and 15 years hence? Many newer buildings and homes have air conditioning as do most hotels a

Aug 10, 2026By John J. Metzler
France: Baby it's hot inside
Thoughts of the Times

Virtue can be as viral as vice

During the Wimbledon quarterfinal early last month, Alexander Zverev fell while chasing a ball. Jannik Sinner rushed over, concern etched on his face, and helped him to his feet. The cameras caught the moment as Sinner mouthed, “Are you okay?” Zverev nodded gratefully, racket in hand, and play resumed. It was a fleeting gesture — crossing the net, offering a hand and three simple words — but it warmed my heart. What might have been ordinary sportsmanship lingered in my memory for days, reminding me how deeply small acts of consideration can resonate. Kindness, however trivial, has a way of lifting our spirits. A boy holding the elevator door for his sweaty neighbor in the summer heat, a young stranger guiding my car out of a narrow passage after I scraped the wall — these moments of goodwill convince me that life is worth living and inspire me to follow their example. They are reminders that compassion, even in its smallest form, can ripple outward. Of course, I am not naive enough to believe that such gestures alone will transform the world overnight. The daily news is domina

Aug 10, 2026By Lee Eung-tae
Virtue can be as viral as vice
Thoughts of the Times

The Space Poetry Reading Society

Literature may often be associated with the printed page, but poetry transcends both medium and time. At its core, poetry is a song, brought to life through sound rather than text. Its meaning emerges through voice, breath and emotion, making every recitation unique. I was reminded of this after attending recently monthly meeting of Space Poetry Reading Society in Seoul, the longest and distinguished of its kind among Korea's poetry recital groups. In the 1970s, poetry readings flourished in the tea houses and taverns of Myeong-dong and Jongno, Seoul, where audiences gathered to experience poems as living performances rather than words on a page. The origins of the Space Poetry Reading Society date back to the early 1970s, when renowned poet Ku Sang, then teaching at the University of Hawaii, visited an artists' cafe in San Francisco. There, he experienced poetry recitations accompanied by live music and commentary — an inspiring blend of performance and literary appreciation that prompted him to establish a similar forum in Korea upon his return. After returning to Korea in the mid-19

Aug 9, 2026By Choe Chong-dae
The Space Poetry Reading Society
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