Overconsumption of alcohol is detrimental to one's health, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, Korea has the highest amount...Show moreOverconsumption of alcohol is detrimental to one's health, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, Korea has the highest amount of alcohol consumption per capita in all of Asia, and has notably high rates of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs). The neighbouring country of Japan is similar to Korea in numerous ways, but has significantly lower rates of consumption and AUDs. This poses the question in which ways Japan differs from Korea, and whether they tackle alcoholism in more effective ways. This thesis aims to find ways in which Korea could improve the current situation following the example of a similar country Therefore, both societies are compared by critically analysing secondary literature on factors that affect alcohol consumption: culture, age of onset, availability, affordability, mental health, religion, and restrictive measures. Results show that while both societies heavily emphasize alcohol consumption, Korea could learn from Japan's attention to mental health research and development, and wider variety of sobriety groups. However, any conclusive evidence is yet to be found. More extensive and longitudinal research on this subject is therefore necessary.Show less
In the last four years, South Korea exported more cosmetics to Europe than ever before. When thinking about the reasons the amount of export increased significantly more in the last couple of years...Show moreIn the last four years, South Korea exported more cosmetics to Europe than ever before. When thinking about the reasons the amount of export increased significantly more in the last couple of years, the most probable reason appears to be the Korean Wave. The Korean Wave, which has been an international sensation, has also reached Europe. In the form of music, movies, and dramas did the soft power of South Korea become more visible in some European countries and did it also lead to an increase in popularity over the years. With different primary sources regarding the Korean Wave and Korean cosmetics, this study attempts to discover whether there is a connection between the two variables.Show less
In May 2019, the South Korean government has agreed to implement the new ‘gaming disorder’ classification, as instated in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health...Show moreIn May 2019, the South Korean government has agreed to implement the new ‘gaming disorder’ classification, as instated in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) by the World Health Organization (WHO), into their own Korean Standard Classification of Diseases (KCD) within the next few years. The classification will change how game addiction will be treated in South Korea, in both a medical and societal sense, and will have an especially big impact on how mental illness is perceived. This thesis therefore asks the following question: What are the possible effects of the implementation of the World Health Organization’s classification of ‘game disorder’ into the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases on the stigma on mental illness in South Korean society? Through critical analysis of the relevant parts of the ICD and KCD, exploration of South Korea’s history with the WHO and critical discourse analysis of scholars’ opinions on the subject, this thesis has determined that South Koreans are currently unlikely to get treatment for mental illness due to (perceived) stigma and that the classification of gaming disorder can play an important part in alleviating said stigma if the government uses the opportunity to development anti-stigma programs.Show less
The legacies of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Olympics have been widely researched before. They include the impact on domestic policies (among which policies that impacted the relationship with...Show moreThe legacies of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Summer Olympics have been widely researched before. They include the impact on domestic policies (among which policies that impacted the relationship with North Korea), national pride and collective memory. However, the political climate between the DPRK and the ROK during these 1988 Olympics could not be in starker contrast than during the Winter Olympics in 2018, which provided an opportunity for formal talks between the two countries. This raised the question of whether or not these events could lead to changes in ethnic nationalistic sentiments in ROK society. The aim of this study is to explore how ethnic nationalism discourses in South Korea have been influenced by hosting the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. As existing literature showed, ethnic nationalism is still used as an argument for unification. Based on this, it was hypothesized that if the wish for unification becomes stronger, notions of ethnic nationalism in South Korean society follow this pattern. Because the PyeongChang Winter Olympics were promoting an agenda of peace and reconciliation with the DPRK, it was expected that they would reignite the flame of ethnic nationalism in ROK society. Critical discourse analysis was used to distinguish whether there were any changes within ethnic nationalism discourses before and after the 2018 Winter Olympics. By comparing studies that captured notions of ethnic nationalism before and after February 2018, it became apparent that there were no clear breakthroughs in the ever-declining importance of ethnic nationalism in ROK society. Because this result is opposite to what is expected on the basis of existing literature, this thesis therefore puts into question the relevance of the current ethnic nationalism discourse paradigm.Show less
This thesis focuses on the implication of the film Jiseul as a medium of cultural memory of the Jeju 4.3 Uprising and justifies its arguments with an anlysis of the visual images and contextual...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the implication of the film Jiseul as a medium of cultural memory of the Jeju 4.3 Uprising and justifies its arguments with an anlysis of the visual images and contextual meaning in the film.Show less
There are many artists in the Korean music industry, but black-Korean singers are not often represented thus far. With an increase in multicultural families in South Korea, this group of people is...Show moreThere are many artists in the Korean music industry, but black-Korean singers are not often represented thus far. With an increase in multicultural families in South Korea, this group of people is likely to grow as well in the near future. In order to explore the role of black-Korean individuals in a Korean context, this thesis researched singer Insooni and her ethnic identity development. Phinney’s ethnic identity model was used to assess how Insooni’s identity likely developed throughout her career as a singer. Phinney’s research focused on two main factors called “exploration” and commitment”. Depending on a high or low level for both factors, this results in four possible identity stages: diffusion, moratorium, foreclosure and achievement. This thesis concluded that Insooni likely went through a dynamic development process, described as such by Phinney. The singer may have shown more interest in her Korean ethnicity at first, but as time went on, her exploration and commitment levels for both her Korean and African-American identity increased, which likely resulted in a multi-ethnic identity. This paper offered more insight on the topic of black-Korean individuals and their identity in Korean society.Show less
This thesis examines the influence of middle school history textbooks on Japanese and Korean university students' historical perspectives. The research analyses and compares Japanese and Korean...Show moreThis thesis examines the influence of middle school history textbooks on Japanese and Korean university students' historical perspectives. The research analyses and compares Japanese and Korean middle school history textbooks on the comfort women narrative and the Korean forced labourers narrative. Secondly, surveys have been conducted to see that history textbooks influence Japanese and Korean university students' historical perspective. Due to the difference in historical perspective, several history disputes are still a burden on the Japan-ROK relations.Show less
This thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered...Show moreThis thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered that LGBTQ+ students at Sogang University, to a certain extent, receive social support from the same sources as the queer community on a national level does, but lack support from online communities and through representation in class and on campus.Show less
In deze scriptie beantwoord ik de vraag “Wat is de invloed van nationalisme op de herdenking van Koreaanse slachtoffers van seksuele slavernij door het Japans Keizerlijk leger in Zuid-Korea?” Bij...Show moreIn deze scriptie beantwoord ik de vraag “Wat is de invloed van nationalisme op de herdenking van Koreaanse slachtoffers van seksuele slavernij door het Japans Keizerlijk leger in Zuid-Korea?” Bij de beantwoording van deze vraag zal ik het herdenkingsmonument de sonyŏsang als belangrijkste voorbeeld gebruiken. Hoewel ik het wel over het activisme rondom de slachtoffers ga hebben, heb ik toch gekozen voor het woord “herdenking”. Een groot deel van de literatuur over dit onderwerp gaat over de ontkenning van de gebeurtenissen door de Japanse staat en de protesten voor erkenning door Zuid-Koreanen. Omdat de gebeurtenissen nog steeds door de Japanse staat ontkend en gebagatelliseerd worden, is op dit moment herdenking per definitie een vorm van protest. Omgekeerd is dit ook het geval. Omdat de protesten, naast monetaire compensatie, vooral om erkenning gaan, is actievoeren een onlosmakelijk onderdeel van de herdenking. Herdenken en actievoeren zijn dus op dit moment niet makkelijk van elkaar te scheiden. De reden dat ik specifiek voor het woord herdenken heb gekozen, en niet actievoeren, is dat ik mij in deze scriptie zal focussen op de invloed die nationalisme heeft op de herdenking binnen Zuid-Korea zelf, en niet op Japan of op de relatie van Zuid-Korea met Japan.Show less
A comparative Critical Discourse Analysis on the conservative (ChosonIlbo) and progressive (Hankyoreh) South Korean press focused on THAAD related editorials. Following Fairclough's three...Show moreA comparative Critical Discourse Analysis on the conservative (ChosonIlbo) and progressive (Hankyoreh) South Korean press focused on THAAD related editorials. Following Fairclough's three-dimensional framework, an analysis of text, discourse practice and social context has taken place, showing how and what kind of ideology is spread by the press regarding the THAAD debate in South Korea.Show less
This study investigated the relationships between smartphone use among South Korean university students and their social capital, measured through social engagement. Results from the analysis...Show moreThis study investigated the relationships between smartphone use among South Korean university students and their social capital, measured through social engagement. Results from the analysis suggested that there was a correlation between smartphone usage rates and social capital rates, in which students with a higher smartphone usage rate had higher rates of social engagement, and students with a lower smartphone usage rate had lower rates of social engagement.Show less
The number of South Korea’s single-parent households is on the rise, the current study will explore what the possible reasons for this increase could be. Developments in both adoption policies and...Show moreThe number of South Korea’s single-parent households is on the rise, the current study will explore what the possible reasons for this increase could be. Developments in both adoption policies and single-parent policies are analysed in order to see how these affect childrearing behaviour amongst single-mothers in South Korea. Secondary and governmental data on overseas and domestic adoption is collected in order to form coherent tables that are used to analyse the effects of the policy amendments. Past policy amendments are discussed and the effects of secondary factors such as fluctuating birth-rates and economic crises are considered in the analysis. In general South Korea’s welfare system is lacking behind its economic growth, which especially affects single-mother households. The social support offered by companies that compensates for the weak public welfare system does not apply to these households, as single-mothers often have no choice but to opt for part-time jobs due to their dual responsibilities. As a result these households have to turn to their family for social support, but often have difficulty receiving this due to the inflexibility of older generations in accepting alternative family structures. All causing single-mothers to be especially reliant on public welfare. Nevertheless, the current system only offers limited social support for these households. Despite increased willingness of child-rearing amongst single-mothers, the support system is not yet optimal and should be improved to accommodate these households.Show less
An interesting feature of Christianity in Korea in the early 20th century is the association with patriotism and nationalism. Many Korean Christians participated in the Korean independence movement...Show moreAn interesting feature of Christianity in Korea in the early 20th century is the association with patriotism and nationalism. Many Korean Christians participated in the Korean independence movement. The missionaries who evangelized in Korea during this period tried to maintain political neutrality while preserving an amicable relationship with both the Koreans as well as the Japanese. Through the use of previous research and sources written by missionaries such as the journal The Korea Mission Field, this study examines the relationship between the Western missionaries and the Japanese during the Japanese colonization of Korea and the influence that the missionaries had on the Korean independence movement.Show less
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in individualism in South Korea. South Korea, like most East Asian countries, has been a collective society, which emphasises groups and...Show moreIn recent years, there has been an increasing interest in individualism in South Korea. South Korea, like most East Asian countries, has been a collective society, which emphasises groups and social networks. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Korea has been changing as especially a significant amount of the younger generation started undertaking actions on their own and enjoying these. These young people say they changed their behaviour for their own happiness. This paper will look at the causes of individualism and analyze individualistic behaviour through the drama Hon-sul-nam-nyŏ (Drinking Solo) which was released in 2016.Show less
With the rising numbers of migrant workers in South Korea, it is important to look into the policies and laws that regulate this migration and labour. This thesis will put the focus on Filipino low...Show moreWith the rising numbers of migrant workers in South Korea, it is important to look into the policies and laws that regulate this migration and labour. This thesis will put the focus on Filipino low-skilled migrants under the Employment Permit System where the question is: What shaped the South Korean migrant policies and how does this affect the rights and lives of Filipino low-skilled migrant workers? By looking at the Employment Permit System, the policies that are effective under it, activist groups, the realities of (Filipino) migrants and their situation in their home country, a picture is painted of the current consequences and challenges that the EPS poses. It became clear through this research that the EPS was lacking in labour and human rights for migrants and granted a lot of power for the employer. The policy was brought on as the Ministry of Justice wanted the migrant workers to leave the country after 3 years to preserve the South Korean social cohesion, increasing the discrimination. The case of the Filipino worker is a particular dire one as the Filipino government sends many of their citizens to work abroad, to the extent of a large monetary dependency on remittances. This urgency further skirted the migrants’ rights for economic gain, leaving them vulnerable for exploitation. It is thus important to not only look at the migrant policy of one country (in this case South Korea), but also the home country’s situation to pose effective solutions against the discrimination and exploitation of migrant workers.Show less
