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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

Beyond crisis in Korean political culture

These days, I see various forms in which the traditional arts of a culture find new practice and adaptation. In the United States and England, some successful businesspeople, fed up with corporate norms and contexts, go to the countryside. They want a simpler, more bucolic existence. There are videos and TV series about their trials and travails learning to live on a farm or live in the way people did in 18th century England. Some do well and find in this adopted lifestyle greater peace, satisfaction, and happiness. The practice hasn't “caught on.”

2021-11-02 17:05

Relevance of Yoon Dong-ju

Recently, I traveled to Washington, D.C., and delivered an address on the poetry of Yoon Dong-ju (1917-45). The invitation came from members of the Yoon Dong-Ju Literature Society. It was an honor and pleasure to speak about Yoon's collection of poems. The group also gave tribute to the late professor Choi Yearn-Hong, one of the society's founding members and patrons, as well as a Korea Times columnist.

2021-10-05 17:00

Survival and the Jeongseon vision

The 21st century continues to see environmental degradation and global environmental threats. South Korea's openness to innovation and eco-friendly technologies speaks well for the government and her people. Recently, Gangwon Province and Governor Choi Moon-soon carried out the Jeongseon Forum 2021.

2021-09-07 17:05

Increase gender equality and family ministry role

I found Cho Hee-kyoung's recent piece in The Korea Times (“Meaning of 'small government'” in July 26 edition), about the plans of several presidential contenders and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, disturbing. It's not laughable to read how candidates for South Korea's presidency want to get rid of it. I don't believe the pursuit of “small government” points to ending this ministry.

2021-08-10 17:01

Confucian friendship

Recently, I've taken to helping my best friend in a fortunate way. He's allowed me to mentor his second son in a job search. It happened after wishing the young man a happy birthday on Facebook. In doing so, my friend has given me a chance to help a fine college graduate search for his first job in the United States. The experience leaves me with good feelings, and also a sense of time passing and the role of generations. It also shows the friendship between Korean and American people and their countries.

2021-07-13 17:10

Don't fight over kimchi

Recently, I decided to celebrate the start of the last third of my life by returning to a “normal body weight.” I've lost 40 pounds thus far and have about 15 more to go - the harder part of this journey. However, I'm optimistic and determined. Part of my reason for success is kimchi. That's right! Besides much water, smaller portions, few to no carbohydrates and only five to seven ounces of fish or lean meat a day, I've been eating kimchi with my salads.

2021-06-15 17:30

Progress and remote work

COVID-19 as a global pandemic continues. India is in its death grip. Many other nations, like Brazil, have serious challenges. Other countries say the end of the tunnel is in sight for a post-COVID world. I think it's too soon to relax, but among my colleagues and friends, everyone is working hard to stay optimistic. Vaccinations and public health routines must continue, and everyone should remain cautious and vigilant. However, I don't hear enough talk about how the pandemic has created a new context for work. Remote work is something I'll miss, and it's something I hope Korea, among other ...

2021-05-18 17:27

In tribute to 'harabeoji'

This past week, Prince Phillip of the United Kingdom passed away. Even though I'm a Yankee, as some of my pupils in York called it, the United States has a special relationship with the U.K. Mind you, having overthrown monarchy and colonialism in our revolution, we've come a long way to stand as allies, now as strong as ever. The Anglo-American alliance is necessary for global security, whatever else may be said of the limits of European ideology and values these days and past. Critics should also think that America and Britain have spawned the global technology that is constitutional democr...

2021-04-20 17:15

Cherry blossoms remind us that life and love continue

I've never had the good fortune to be in Korea for spring. I'll have to fix that someday! But I know the cherry blossoms will soon make their annual appearance. Signaling spring and taking our memories away from winter's cold and COVID's dark embrace, the cherry blossoms remind us of life and love.

2021-03-23 16:58

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