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The Korea Times

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SCMP
Asia

The Korea Times

Opinion

Columnists

bernard Rowan

We all have a last bus

Recently, I watched the 2021 British film, “The Last Bus,” with my wife. The story is a realistic but moving appraisal of mortality and love, accented by the penetrating music of Nick Lloyd Webber. The movie reveals an ordinary heroism and humanity that goes unnoticed.

2022-09-06 16:15

Strategic gambits

The “era of autocracy” is a depressing name for the 21st century. One of its features is strategic gambits by global powers in pursuit of their interests, passions, and opinions. These gambits reflect the actions of autocratic nations and those committed to freedom. They also reflect those of anti-status quo powers and those in favor of the present international order, including its use of capitalism and free markets. Free markets need free navigation of airspace, waterways, space, cyber networks, and land routes. The sites for competition and conflict have increased. The United States, Chin...

2022-08-09 15:58

Autocratic age III

There's much foment in America these days. We're grappling with incidents of the autocratic age. Still dealing-and-not-dealing with COVID and emerging vaccine-busting variants, Americans have lost patience with precautions. Guns are everywhere, but we're treated to a further promotion of gun culture by a Supreme Court enthralled with its new variety of jurisprudence. There is now the reality of one mildly progressive but limited gun law.

2022-07-12 16:23

Facing alliance for autocracy

During the 21st century's latest war, histrionic statements abound. Russia's latest invasion of Ukraine doesn't amoun to a “do-or-die” moment for democracy. It's a real wakeup call, but still. Leaders of stable democracies shouldn't entertain this conflict as an end-all moment for the future of stability and peace in our world. The conflict should arrest the democratic tendency to idealism. We now begin a long march to renew the world era of freedom, democracy and civilization. We begin again to face autocracy.

2022-05-17 16:25

Forming bipolarity

Sadly, the evil and tyrannical foolishness of Putin and the Russian leadership has reached a new low with the war in Ukraine. War crimes occur on the backs of conscripts. Civilian targets suffer indiscriminately. Far from “Making Russia Great Again,” Putin has sealed his fate as the 21st century's worst international leader, with damning parallels to Hitler. Nevertheless, Ukraine will not lose this conflict.

2022-04-19 16:21

Efforts toward peace

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking again with Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon Province. Each year, I enjoy taking part in the PyeongChang Peace Forum and learning about the efforts of Gangwon and South Korea for peace. Peace on the peninsula and in the region will form the crucible for continued progress as we head toward the middle of the century. The occasion this time was the start of the 2022 PyeongChang Peace Forum. Governor Choi and his team have concluded another wonderful conference on the theme of peace. The forum highlighted the progress and commitments of South Korea and G...

2022-03-22 16:30

Korea-US relations and Korea's next presidency

Before the next South Korean presidential election, I have framed a series of suggestions for Korea-U.S. policy relations. While the world remains transfixed by COVID-19, with rising attention to the tomfoolery of Putin, friends of Korea would do well to keep their eyes focused.

2022-02-22 17:01

Democracy isn't going away

Recently, the world has faced a rise in autocracy. We are in what I call an “autocratic age.” The ascent of Xi, Bin Salman Al Saud (MBS), Putin and a host of other autocrats is troubling. I say all will form some of history's “flashes in a pan,” eventually, and that's why I'm writing. Don't stop believing that democracy is a world technology for today and the future. It's taking hits these days, as some say, but it's going nowhere! Don't give into the temptation of thinking that democracy is on the ropes.

2022-01-25 16:48

For professors and in memoriam

I'm writing about the professor in Korean culture and to thank my professors. The “kyosunim” is a central Korean institution. The respect for professors is higher in Confucian cultures, including Korea, than elsewhere. Too many Americans think professors occupy the ivory tower. Aligning the learned with the leadership in Asian cultures is closer than in European cultures.

2021-12-28 16:49

Cultivating friendship

One of the things I miss these days about Korea is the opportunity to make friends. I've made a few friends in Korea over the years and admired how this often occurs. As a young man, I was what people typically call shy or reserved - polite is the better word. I did not often seek but waited to “break the ice.” This behavior was at times off-putting to others.

2021-11-30 16:49

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