October 2018

Episode 13

Episode Discussion View all 12 comments

Author: Sophie Rock

Synopsis:

In episode 13 of the South Korean police drama Live, the Hongil Police force finally catches the serial rapist they were searching for in previous episodes. Oh Yang-chon’s mother passes with use of “death with dignity,” and Gi Han-sol’s daughter gets married, still (like everyone else) unaware of her father’s sickness.

Discussion:

During episode 13, a small debate about whether or not police should be armed results in an inconclusive outcome. Later, when discussing the result of a previous police officer’s use of force, a definition appears on screen explaining “excessive use of force.” These examples highlight a larger ongoing global debate about gun control and the use of excessive force by the police, as well as a dilemma officers must face between discipline and their own safety.

Gun use and access in South Korea is highly inaccessible. The KNPA estimate 84,414 privately owned guns in South Korea, which is only roughly 0.27% of the population (Jang 2018, 13). Even with such a small percentage of the population owning guns, it is reported that “all guns must be stored at the local police station, and all permits require extensive background checks… including documents to prove legitimate reasons for gun ownership, and physical and psychiatric assessments” (Jang 2018, 14). These regulations make gun access a seemingly nonissue for civilians, but how about the South Korean police?

When discussing the use of guns in Live, one police officer comments “When a cop uses a gun, it’s not the suspect who dies, we’ll [the police] die from the penalty” (ep. 13, 19:10). This may be due to the fact that individuals in South Korea have little access to guns, so the police should have little to worry about in terms of their safety (Ivkovic 2012, 93). But yet, in episode 13, a suspect was a trained martial artist, hence not requiring a gun to inflict harm upon officers. Although the use of weapons may seem justifiable, later in the episode, viewers are introduced to an ex-police officer, So Su-man, who was fired for his use of excessive violence (ep. 13, 38:17). Here, it is obvious that the penalties on officers who use unnecessary force is a prime concern in whether or not officers use weapons for their own safety.

The excessive use of force employed by South Korean police reigns supreme among civilian complaints (Kang 2011, 178). Despite this large complaint, the use of deadly force is relatively uncommon in South Korea, and if applied, it nearly immediately becomes a public issue (Ivkovic 2012, 98). Episode 13 highlights awareness by defining excessive force to its Korean viewership when being discussed. This suggests that this term is relatively new in Korean dialogue and may have become more of interest with the recent debates on the police force.

독직폭행- “A kind of violence that officials who have governmental power commit (such as arresting or imprisoning) by abusing their power.” Shin Haewon (UBC Student)

 

Episode 13 of Live highlights the concerns officers face in what types of force to employ, fearing more for the disciplinary action they will face, rather than their own safety. The conversations within the episode highlight the ongoing debate that is happening around the globe about police brutality and gun rights. When it comes to these debates, I ask you to consider the following:

  1. Should police officers be armed at all times?
  2. Do you feel more or less safe when a police officer is carrying a gun? Why do you think you feel this way?
  3. What steps and processes are necessary if an individual wishes to own a gun?

 

Word Count: 476

 

Bibliography:

Ivkovic, Sanja Kutnjak. “Police Integrity in South Korea.” Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management 35, no. 1 (2012): 76-103.

Jang, Ho Kyeong. “How South Korea got rid of its Gun Problem.” Published February 27, 2018. https://www.koreaexpose.com/how-south-korea-got-rid-gun-problem/

 Kang, Wook and Mahesh K. Nalla. “Perceived Citizen Cooperation, Police Operational Philosophy, and Job Satisfaction on Support for Civilian Oversight of the Police in South Korea.” Asian Journal of Criminology 6, no.2 (2011): 177-189.

 

Episode 11 & 12

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Synopsis

Episode 11 starts off with a very refreshing and a “serves you right” moment when the underage teens get justified for their crimes. However, as the story unfolds, we, as the viewers, get to realize that the actions of Man-Yeong were a reflection of his past and the absence of loving parents. While Man-Yeong’s case has ended, we get introduced to another new problem of a serial rapist. Ironically, the victims refuse for a proper investigation due to the fear of being targeted again but in episode 12, we get to see the past of Jeong-O which ultimately allowed her to convince the victim to continue for a proper investigation.

Discussion

Like all societies, victimization of women are prevalent around the world. As mentioned in class, victimization of women gave thrust to the Korean feminist movement and it did not take long for the #MeToo movement to gain momentum. 2018 was perhaps one of the most significant year where feminist activity experienced its pinnacle and gained widespread media coverage in Korea. However, it is always the case that when these movements rise to battle injustice inequality, there are those who take advantage of the situation.

During May of 2018, the case of Youtuber Yang Ye Won has gained an incredible amount of support and coverage for her courage to speak up and tell the public about her victimization. However, it was not so long when the case was backlashed by a series of evidence that went against her claims. While she claims that she was sexually abused by the photo studio that she was freelancing for, evidence of exchanged  text messages showed that it was Yang that wanted more session and that she was the one who dictated when to work and had the choice of working or not. According to an article from Metro, she claimed that she was a victim of a sex crime and was told that it would be a normal photo-shoot (Hicap, 2018). While her YouTube video explaining the situation stated that there was a total of five sessions, evidenced showed that even after five sessions, she was the one to schedule more sessions, totaling 13. The case is still ongoing and yet to unfold as the most recent trial was on the 24th.

Although we do not know whether or not she took advantage of the feminist movement to gain support or fame, current evidence showed that her side of the story did not match what she claimed. This sort of ambiguous case significantly hinders the movement towards equality, especially in the Korean culture. Korean culture is extremely divided when it comes to gender roles. The cultural norms and duties of a women and men are strictly divided and guided by traditional principles. In the 21st century, the Korean society has evolved to adapt to a women oriented or inclusive workforce since the significance of the export based economy flourished during the Park Chung Hee era, where women played a major role in the labour market. However, feminist movements in Korea are different  than those of the Western culture and by different, I mean privilege. Korea is one of the few countries that still have mandatory military service, however, the irony is that only men have to serve in the military for two years while the same regulation does not apply to its counterpart. In addition, there are multiple spaces, even a whole floor dedicated to a “women’s only” parking . When the two genders want equality, these gender concepts that points to the “only” privilege or disadvantage must disappear and in my opinion, that day will not be in the near future.

Questions:

  1. Do you think that some accommodations and regulations that are allowed only for certain gender deteriorates the sense of equality?
  2. In North America, there is an active men’s rights group called the Men’s Rights Association or the MRA. However, their protests and rallies are always belittled by both men and women. Why do you think this is the case?

(Little side note for question 2, MRA fights for men’s equality, focused on equal treatment. One of their issues address the difference in crime. There are cases where both the man and the woman committed the same crime but the man was given a higher sentence compared to the woman. In addition, Erin Pizzey, the founder of the first women’s domestic violence shelter in the world and current men’s rights activist, believes that domestic violence had nothing to do with what power men had or are assumed to have over women. Pizzey stated from an interview with A Voice for Men that both men and women in interpersonal relationships can be violent. While there were approximately 2000 women’s help center for domestic violence in the United States in 2016, there was only one that dedicated its service for men since most women’s center refused to help men)

 

Bibliography

Hicap, J. (2018, May 28). YouTube star claiming she was sexually assaulted gets online abuse. Retrieved from https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/28/youtube-star-claiming-she-was-sexually-assaulted-and-forced-to-do-nude-photoshoots-gets-online-abuse-over-conflicting-statements-7582789/

Episode 9 & 10

Episode Discussion View all 6 comments

Synopsis: 

In episode 9, Hong-il patrol division found that Detective Yi Juyeong was directly involved into an illegal gambling, Also, Hong-il patrol division received the reports about the sexual violence cases and a family violence case. Han Jeong-o and Yum Sangsu arrested the culprit of the sexual violence before it was happened, but the woman who was a victim of the sexual violence did not want to reveal the truth to anyone. In episode 10, the Hong-il patrol division was reported a missing child, but in fact, the child because of hatred of her adoptive parents. In addition, in this episode, O Yongchon’s father removed her wife’s respiratory equipment to let her die.

Discussion: 

For the discussion, I will focus on the events from episode 9 which clearly shows about the the violation of the female victims’s rights that is a big issue in South Korea now. Generally, the most victims of sexual violence and family violence are women because they have less physical power than men, and this main reason can lead to violation of women’s rights. I believe that all people should be equal and enjoy their life under the rights.

In the drama, “Live”, I can find the ignorance of women’s rights easily through the victimization of the sexual and family violence. South Korea has different actual number of report of victimization and the official number of report because the victims do not want to reveal and to solve themselves if it happens in family (Choe and Gim, 23). For example,  In episode 9, female victims of family violence do not want to report their victimization to police officer because of her children, so she continuously endures her husband’s violence. I think her rights of enjoying life positively is mainly violated.

Also, when Hong-ill patrol division arrested a culprit of sexual violence, the female victim firstly says that she does not want his fiance to know about her victimization because he will not like her and may break the engagement. This is ignorance of  women’s rights as well because not revealingthe truth can affect the victims’ future life negatively. Also, some people may have a prejudice towards the victims, which make them feel shame, even though it is not their fault.

Recently, a Korean celebrity, Gu Hara, was involved a scandal. Her boyfriend  threatened her and did porno revenge with sending their sexual video to the reporter. Due to the this video, she begged him for not sending it, but the video was spread online. The spreading the private video without the agreement violated Gu Hara’s rights. In addition, as I expected, due to the sexual video, Gu Hara was blamed and suffered more, even though the video was shot together. Also, Gu Hara may not have a chance to sing and shoot a drama for long time because of people’s negative perception towards her. I think this is the typical example of violation women’s rights in South Korea, and this issue made me think of the women’s rights again.

In conclusion, although many Korean women tried to change through “#metoo” movement, the drama “Live” clearly reflects the Korean society thatthe women are still suffered and violated their rights more by sexual revelation.

Based on my discussion, I want to ask you to think about some questions.

  1. Consider Canadian women’s rights. How do you compare Canadian and Korean women’s rights? and which country’s woman’s rights are more protected?
  2. Although I discussed women’s rights and emphasized violation of women’s rights, there should be violation of men’s rights. Compare how the men’s rights is different with the women’s, and how can men’s rights be violated. Also, why are the women’s rights emphasized more?

Bibliography: 

Choe, Inseop and Gim, seong-eon. “Seongpongnyeoguisiltaewa wonine gwanhan yeongu [Sexual Violence in Korea, 1996].” Hangukyeongsajeongchaegyeonguwon [The Korean Researcher of a Criminal Policy]: 97(1997): 19-316.

Episode 7 & 8

Episode Discussion View all 7 comments

Author: Lucius Kang

Synopsis:

Han Jeong-o, with help of fellow officers, successfully arrest the illegal prostitutes and the perps; but soon after she finds out that her arrest actually put more female victims of prostitution in danger. O Yang-Chon gets blamed for Yeom Sang-su’s injury and becomes the outcast for not taking care of his trainee in a chase of a criminal suspect. After release of the perps who were involved in illegal prostitution, the entire police department cooperates to successfully arrest the perps, while ensuring safety of the female prostitutes. successfully closing cases does not last long, as Lee Sun-won, Kang Nam-il and Kim Min-seok fail to catch the defrauder of a scam.

Disucssion:

What is prostitution?
Prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. While some prostitutes in Canada are criticizing the ones who use the word: prostitute instead of ‘sex worker’ (Ratchford, 2013), the same workforce in Korea still stands as illegal. But does that mean that prostitution doesn’t exist in Korea?

Umm…. NO!

Despite the fact that the South Korean government once promoted sexual entertainment, such as “kisaeng party” as a matter of national policy (Lie, 1995, 317), prostitution, along with abortion is still against the law within the country. Consequently, more services are provided under the table, leaving more sex workers in danger.

Because prostitution is illegal in South Korea, many other crimes also remain silent. In Live, viewers see the frustration of Kang Nam-il and Kim Min-seok to even start an investigation on a case that undoubtedly appeared wrong. Although the victim asked for help initially, because the victim is “worried that people at his school will find out” that he was involved in an illegal prostitution, he refused request of further investigation on the case (ep. 7, 16:58). This portrays how victims, whom are related to sex industry in Korea, believe connections with prostitution is significantly worse than unjust victimizations.

While females dominate the sex industry in Korea, there exists another biological issue: pregnancy and illegal abortion. Abortions are as prohibited as prostitutions. As we have discussed in our lectures, motherly duties are unwelcomed by many employers; indeed, when required to abort the fetus, sex workers abort privately as “prices could range anywhere from 1 to 2 million won” (Narrative, 2011). Han Jeong-o’s inspection of the perps’ abandoned hideout shows site of illegal abortion in South Korea, and also portrays the site as dangerous, dull and dirty. This is the reality of illegal sex workers and how they are at higher risk for their occupations.

Despite the dangerous and dirty work settings, the illegal industry remains stocked up for business. Up to 37 percent of sex workers chose the sex industry to gain financial independence (Lie, 1995, 322). The idea is also demonstrated in Live. As Choi Myeong-ho ensures safety of foreign sex workers, the boss yells “[the female workers] did it because they wanted to” (ep. 8, 17:56). The boss emphasizes to Choi Myeong-ho that the girls became prostitutes of their own accord. It is clear that the perp is taking advantages of the situations of the sex workers.

In episodes 7 & 8 of Live, the screenwriter criticizes the reality of sex industry in Korea, putting emphasis on high risk working conditions, and consequences of negative perception on prostitution and abortion.

Upon the blog discussion, I ask you to consider few questions:

1. Han Jeong-o states that by the arrest of the prostitution boss, she has put more victims in danger (ep. 7 20:50). Do you agree that reporting and arresting suspects put victims in more danger? If so, how else should Korean citizens or Korean government do to help the victims?

2. Live shows some of detrimental consequences of criminalizing prostitution. To what extent can legalization of prostitution become benefits in the sex industry?

3. As demonstrated in Kang Nam-il and Kim Min-seok’s interrogation of prostitution boss and the victim who later asks the case to remain silent on an obvious case, why are people trying to avoid criticism on any connection with prostitution, when in fact they are engaged in it? What does that imply about the culture in Korea, in terms of collectivism vs individualism?

Bibliography:

Lie, John. “The Transformation Of Sexual Work In 20Th-Century Korea.” Gender & Society9, no. 3 (1995): 310-27. doi:10.1177/089124395009003004.

Narrative, T. (2011). Getting an Abortion in Korea. [online] The Grand Narrative. Available at: https://thegrandnarrative.com/2011/09/19/abortion-korea/ [Accessed 12 Oct. 2018]

Ratchford, Sarah. “Why Is the Canadian Media Still Referring to Sex Workers as Prostitutes?” Vice. November 21, 2013. Accessed October 12, 2018.

Episode 5 & 6

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Synopsis:

In episode 5 of the drama series Live, after Yeom Sang-Soo hears what his problem was in the previous case from Oh Yang-Chon and staying over at Oh Yang-Chon’s place. Yeom Sang-Soo and Oh Yang-Chon gets involved in a case where a mom who has depression faints and is sent to hospital while the kid with eczema is left alone in the net cafe. On the other hand, Han Jung-O who is traumatized from the previous homicide case talks to Choi Myung-Ho that she is scared and does not seem to be fit for becoming a policewoman. After getting comforted by Choi Myung-Ho and Ki Han-Sol, Han Jung-O is faced with another crime scene dealing with illegal prostitution. In episode 6 Han Jung-O who shot a pregnant lady with a taser gun, trying to prevent the woman from hitting a man who was beating up her husband, while not knowing that the woman was pregnant. Because the protocol is to not shoot at pregnant lady or vital areas, she attends to internal affair. On the other hand, Yeom Sang-Soo and Oh Yang-Chon are at the scene where students had a fight and were injured. Yeom Sang-Soo chases after a student that tries to run away and gets cut in the face by the students knife.

Discussion:

From watching episode 5 and 6, I began to see more clearly on the problems that Korea is facing and what the drama is emphasizing while referring to what I have learned from the lecture and some of the main issues in Korea. The two episodes portray how weak the Korean law and authority is for police officials.

In Korea the police do not have the strong authority compared to countries like Canada and US. According to the KNPA, Korean police authority is ranked 27th, out of 30 OECD countries (Lee and Pak 2016, 272). Jinsik Pak and Julak Lee explains that, “[The] low public confidence hinders legitimate law-enforcement activities and weakens the organizational capacity for the maintenance of security” (Lee and Pak 2016, 272). For example, in the drama the division thinks that Han Jung-O has made the right decision to shoot the taser gun in order to prevent further crime. However, she did not give a warning and did not realize that she shot a pregnant lady in the shoulder. Therefore, because she did not follow the protocol properly, if the husband sues Han Jung-O the whole division could be at stake (ep. 6, 13:33). Even if this act was morally correct, the weak law in Korea backfires it to an act close to crime. If it was Canada or US, this problem would never come up in the first place. They would have the complete authority of which action to commit in certain situations. They would tase or even shoot a person if they have to and this act would not make the police officer guilty because their law and authority protects them from being framed. I personally believe that the Korean governments should bring up this issue to the public through media and find a solution. Or else no one would want to become an officer if the police is the one responsible for every act they execute (ep. 6, 13:16).

 

The another issue is how people look down on police officers. “Korean is well known for possessing one of the most elaborate honorifics systems in the world’s language” (Brown 2011, 107). This means that honorifics are used as a way to represent politeness to elders or people that you have just met. However, some people do not show the politeness to the police officer in Korea, because of their status and wealth. For example, in episode 6, a guy who is at fault for using violence shows inappropriate attitude and does not use any honorifics towards Ban Jong-Min who is interrogating and is older than the guy. He says to Ban Jong-Min that he is going to sue him and other cops who comes from nothing and also tells him to know his place (ep. 6, 10:02~10:08). In this statement, comes from nothing means being in a low status. If this was the case in Canada or US, the person would be charged with using verbal abuse to an officer and obstruction of official execution. They would also give warning and if the person ignores the officers would detain him and send him to the cell.

Overall, Korean police is without a doubt a force with minor authority and power where citizens don’t think highly for the officers. Furthermore, where the weak law enforcements hinders officers from using their powers, even in situations which requires for them to use firm actions of law-enforcement (Lee and Pak 2016, 272).

Do you think if the Korean police have the same level authority as Canadian or US police, do you think this will solve the problem or does the problem lies in ethnicity?

In episode 6, Eun Kyung-Mo states that, “when something [bad] happens, no one will be on [their] side” (ep. 6, 12:41). Do you think the regulations or the weak law in Korea restricts police officers to execute their action, because they might be the ones being blamed on rather than receiving gratitude?

 

What makes Korean police authority powers ranking 27th out of 30 OECD countries and are not treated well by citizen? For example, not using honorifics or being called “jjapsae” which basically means a being lower than a person.

 

Bibliography:

Brown, Lucien. Korean Honorifics and Revealed, Ignored and Suppressed Aspects of Korean Culture and Politeness. Politeness Across Cultures (2011): http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9780230305939_6

Lee, Julak and Pak, Jinsik. A Study on South Korea’s Public Confidence Regarding Its Police Authority. Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Management Studies 3(4):  (2016):272-279. doi: 10.20448/journal.500/2016.3.4/500.4.272.279