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Thu, October 18, 2018 | 19:33

Opinion > Columnists > Park Moo-jong >

Decriminalizing abortion

Abortion has been a hot-button issue in South Korea along with the decriminalization of prostitution - both technically illegal albeit very common. Abortion is allowed only when the mother's health is in serious danger or in cases of rape, incest or hereditary disorders. But any abortion is absolutely illegal after the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. The punishment provided by the Criminal Act is severe. Pregnant women who have abortions face up to one-year of imprisonment or a fine of up to 2 million won ($1,780), while those who perform an abortion with the consent of pregnant woman face up t...

Park Moo-jong | 2017-11-02 17:29

A few days ago, I learned newly a coined Korean word from an article in a vernacular newspaper: “jarani” comprised of “ja” from “jajeongo” (bicycle) and “rani” from “gorani” (water deer). It means a cyclist who comes out in front of a car all of a sudden like the water deer. The term was created to explain road-kill, an animal that has been struck and killed by motor vehicle on highways.

Park Moo-jong | 2017-10-26 17:06

Why don't you dye?

When President Moon Jae-in nominated Kang Kyung-wha as his first foreign minister against all odds in May, what caught the attention of the people first of all was apparently the 62-year-old woman's silver hair perfectly in style. Asked why she does not dye her hair (to look younger), she said she didn't want to cover up her true form despite her mother's begging. Moon, 64, also has silver hair, partially, and his campaigners in the previous presidential election, continuously begged him to tint his hair black in order to "improve his image," to no avail. And he won.

Park Moo-jong | 2017-10-19 17:01

What football fans have to do first

It's the baseball season. This year's championship contests are in full swing in the United States Major League and the Korean Baseball Organization, among others. Not to mention the Major League's World Series (more accurately the U.S. Series), the Korean Series is also enjoying huge popularity amid roars from enthusiastic fans jam-packing the stadiums as usual. The crowded ballparks raise the question: Which is the national sport of South Korea (as a ball game), compared to the “empty” football stadiums?

Park Moo-jong | 2017-10-12 17:39

The past is dead and gone

The political landscape of the Republic of Korea today is reminiscent of the history of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-2010), tainted by deep-rooted factional strife, among others.

Park Moo-jong | 2017-09-28 17:28

I don't 'face book'

"Thank God It's Friday” (TGIF). Today is the very day. But in this ever evolving time of Information Technology (IT), the hitherto popular phrase does not necessarily mean the jubilant expression of the people. Six years ago, I attended a dinner for the then visiting leader of a United Nations organization from Sierra Leon. It was Friday evening. One of the topics at the table was TGIF, naturally, Thank God It's Friday. The veteran African diplomat, however, shook his head meaning no. "TGIF" of today stands for Twitter, Google, Internet, Facebook," he said flatly, referring to the spreading ...

Park Moo-jong | 2017-09-21 16:54

Why don't you eat kimchi?

Kimchi, the undisputed traditional Korean side dish made from a variety of salted and fermented vegetables, has abruptly become an international topic of late, thanks to Chinese state-controlled newspaper. The topic derived from a Sept. 9 editorial of the Global Times, the sister paper of the state-run People's Daily, on the question of whether kimchi makes people stupid or not. In the editorial entitled "Korea won't be safe with THAAD deployment," the English-language newspaper said, "Korean conservatives have become stupid after eating too much kimchi."

Park Moo-jong | 2017-09-14 18:00

Too busy to take a breather?

Compared to people in other parts of the world, Koreans are so busy, even complaining, "I am so busy that I can't take a breather." As soon as a subway train arrives at a station, most of the passengers pour out from the doors, dash to the stairs and escalators as if they are sprinters on the track. Being busy means doing something quickly, quickly. Most of us today are consumed with speed. We work quickly, play quickly and eat fast food quickly. Let’s go onto streets. Many foreign residents and visitors say they feel they are risking their lives when driving in Seoul. Once Koreans take a se...

Park Moo-jong | 2017-09-07 17:40

Comedy-like tragedy

Just two years ago, I wrote a column, "Devil in disguise," about Han Myeong-sook, a former prime minister (2006-2007) under the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who was convicted of having accepted bribes while in office and began to serve her two-year jail term.. I wrote that "there was a bizarre scene totally ridiculing the nation's law and order in front of the Seoul Detention House. About 150 people, including several lawmakers [from the then opposition party] were holding a ceremony to see off a convict going to prison, shouting Han Myeong-sook is innocent.'' At that time, Han was holding a...

Park Moo-jong | 2017-08-31 18:11

Ban on smoking while walking

Every New Year's Day, many people make various resolutions to do or not do something, mostly for their better health. On top of the self-promises is quitting smoking. But their ardent determination usually ends in three days, mostly. It is common sense today that lighting up is a deadly habit, causing “100 harmful effects and not a single good thing,” doing more harm than good.

Park Moo-jong | 2017-08-24 17:49

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Hurricane Michael