Even though the majority of the Korean population is for increasing minimum wage and reducing the work week, I have yet to hear or read any favorable comments in the media.
And most people consider Korea to be a democracy. It is a democracy in that Korea elected President Moon, but with regards to media, it seems more like a dictatorship.
The media is getting really vehement and trying to make increasing minimum wage and reducing the work week an issue. Saying that it is ruining the economy. I respectfully am of the opinion the economy is in shambles (the big corporations are doing well, as everyone knows) because of the policies of former Presidents Kun-hye Park and Myung-bak Lee. The conservatives ran the country for almost a decade, before President Moon. President Moon has been in office one year and they blame everything on him and the liberals.
The conservative calls progressives and liberals communists. Being a commie is illegal in Korea! You can get put in jail for being a commie sympathizer. So calling someone a commie should not be taken lightly. It is criminal!
It seems they are against anything liberal. They seem to be really afraid of pot smoking liberals. Talk about reefer madness.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Saturday, July 14, 2018
21 Million Korean Contract Workers
Decades ago, companies agitated for relaxation of labor laws. They managed to change the laws so that they could hire contract workers. Under the old laws, these contract workers would be regarded as regular employees. Contract workers can be fired after their one year contract is over. People who teach part time at universities are treated even much worse.
There are now over 21 million contact workers. The entire Korean population is 50 million.
Need I say more?
Nikkei: Moon promises to eliminate all contract jobs in public sector
There are now over 21 million contact workers. The entire Korean population is 50 million.
Need I say more?
Nikkei: Moon promises to eliminate all contract jobs in public sector
Ward Autro: Contract Workers Occupy GM Korea CEO’s Office
Workers are being shafted. Yet the media is stating the labor unions are too strong and wrecking Korean companies. Here is an editorial from Joongang News (affiliated with Samsung) and reprinted by Yonhap News. What propaganda!
Yonhap: Our power-crazy unions
Workers are being shafted. Yet the media is stating the labor unions are too strong and wrecking Korean companies. Here is an editorial from Joongang News (affiliated with Samsung) and reprinted by Yonhap News. What propaganda!
Yonhap: Our power-crazy unions
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Do The Rich Really Want Equality?
Do the poor want equality?
Do the powerful want equality?
Do the weak want equality?
Forget words and promises, look at actions and the situation today.
If the rich and powerful are elected to public office and run companies, then there will be less equality. I kid you not. Look past all the outward appearances of equality, take a close look at what is happening in the world. Cognitive dissonance kicks in when too much power and money are involved.
Maybe one day, a cooperative will be established where the members buy only from within the cooperative, but also sell to outsiders in order to absorb more wealth into the cooperative. All members will be paid a comfortable wage with quality jobs, but none will be paid more than double or triple the lowest wage earner. Or something along those lines. It is really doubtful that the free market economy as it is will resolve problems of inequality.
In Korea, rent is expensive, so are franchise fees. They are trying to raise the minimum wage and convenience store owners are saying that they will have to close their businesses. They pay much more in rent and franchise fees. Wages pale in comparison. Restaurants and retail stores are also complaining about minimum wage. Corporations are complaining about the 52 hour work week as too short.
The rich backed media is really trying to stir up emotions against labor reform and fair taxation. I think they are really scared nowadays. Doesn't make sense. Do they really need all that money? Can they use it all in their lifetime? Crazy world we live in.
Do the powerful want equality?
Do the weak want equality?
Forget words and promises, look at actions and the situation today.
If the rich and powerful are elected to public office and run companies, then there will be less equality. I kid you not. Look past all the outward appearances of equality, take a close look at what is happening in the world. Cognitive dissonance kicks in when too much power and money are involved.
Maybe one day, a cooperative will be established where the members buy only from within the cooperative, but also sell to outsiders in order to absorb more wealth into the cooperative. All members will be paid a comfortable wage with quality jobs, but none will be paid more than double or triple the lowest wage earner. Or something along those lines. It is really doubtful that the free market economy as it is will resolve problems of inequality.
In Korea, rent is expensive, so are franchise fees. They are trying to raise the minimum wage and convenience store owners are saying that they will have to close their businesses. They pay much more in rent and franchise fees. Wages pale in comparison. Restaurants and retail stores are also complaining about minimum wage. Corporations are complaining about the 52 hour work week as too short.
The rich backed media is really trying to stir up emotions against labor reform and fair taxation. I think they are really scared nowadays. Doesn't make sense. Do they really need all that money? Can they use it all in their lifetime? Crazy world we live in.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Korean Military Intelligence Prepared A Scenario For Martial Law in 2017
Documents recently surfaced that reveal Korean military intelligence made plans to agitate demonstrators and then call in the military to quell the demonstrations around the time of former President Park's impeachment proceedings.
In these documents, the military calls the demonstrators and progressive leaning people pro-North Korean which is illegal in Korea according to some outdated law forbidding any praise of North Korea. Regarded as treason!
After quelling the demonstrations, the military's scenario was for imposition of martial law. Detailing what to do if the Joint Chief of Staff refused to go along. They would then censor all the leading media services. And so on.
The ruling party had enough votes to reject impeachment, so the military made up this scenario.
Other documents showed that the military intelligence agency spied on Korean citizens, including demonstrators, and opposition members.
These people had no sense of right and wrong., Really messed up power trip.
Hankyoreh: Military considered martial law if court rejected Park’s impeachment
Nikkei Asian Review: South Korea orders probe into military plans to quash Park protests
In these documents, the military calls the demonstrators and progressive leaning people pro-North Korean which is illegal in Korea according to some outdated law forbidding any praise of North Korea. Regarded as treason!
After quelling the demonstrations, the military's scenario was for imposition of martial law. Detailing what to do if the Joint Chief of Staff refused to go along. They would then censor all the leading media services. And so on.
The ruling party had enough votes to reject impeachment, so the military made up this scenario.
Other documents showed that the military intelligence agency spied on Korean citizens, including demonstrators, and opposition members.
These people had no sense of right and wrong., Really messed up power trip.
Hankyoreh: Military considered martial law if court rejected Park’s impeachment
Nikkei Asian Review: South Korea orders probe into military plans to quash Park protests
Sunday, July 8, 2018
They Sell Hemp Seeds, Why Is CBD Oil Illegal In Korea?
Some Korean mothers who have children with epilepsy want CBD oil to be legalized in Korea. Hemp seed has CDB, but hemp seeds are legal.
Anyways, a bill was introduced to make it legal a few years ago, but a committee said it was anti-social and killed the bill. They are trying to introduce another one, but are short of signatures.
A singer was indicted for marijuana, a couple of days ago, prosecutors are asking for 5 years imprisonment. Many end up getting suspended sentences, but some do get a year or two in prison.
The government is trying to raise property taxes. I am a property owner and would gladly pay much much more in property tax, just as long as the rich pay theirs. The very rich have tons of real estate and they pay really low property tax. Just a few years ago, they didn't even have to report rental income.
Luckily many more Koreans, nowadays, do not trust media which are controlled by the rich. Still have a long ways to go, but things seem to be moving along much faster now.
More and more Koreans trust newspapers like Hanykoreh, which was started by journalists, many fired for their pursuit of freedom and democracy.
Anyways, a bill was introduced to make it legal a few years ago, but a committee said it was anti-social and killed the bill. They are trying to introduce another one, but are short of signatures.
A singer was indicted for marijuana, a couple of days ago, prosecutors are asking for 5 years imprisonment. Many end up getting suspended sentences, but some do get a year or two in prison.
The government is trying to raise property taxes. I am a property owner and would gladly pay much much more in property tax, just as long as the rich pay theirs. The very rich have tons of real estate and they pay really low property tax. Just a few years ago, they didn't even have to report rental income.
Luckily many more Koreans, nowadays, do not trust media which are controlled by the rich. Still have a long ways to go, but things seem to be moving along much faster now.
More and more Koreans trust newspapers like Hanykoreh, which was started by journalists, many fired for their pursuit of freedom and democracy.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Korean Media Claim Reduced Work Week Will Wreck Korean Economy
While most of Korean media is blaming the recent increase in minimum wage for all of Korea's economic woes, and arguing that a reduced work week with create tremendous hardships for employers and reduced wages for employees, there was a very welcome and refreshing article in CNN about Korea and the reduced work week.
CNN: South Korea cuts its work limit from 68 hours a week to 52
I remember when Koreans used to have to work on Saturdays. Samsung Electronics used to make employees work in Sundays also if export targets were not achieved in the 70s and 80s.
CNN: South Korea cuts its work limit from 68 hours a week to 52
I remember when Koreans used to have to work on Saturdays. Samsung Electronics used to make employees work in Sundays also if export targets were not achieved in the 70s and 80s.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
How To Get Rid Of Munchies?
Try drinking a glass of wine or a shot of alcohol. Works for me. A lot slimmer now.