ID :
37365
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 13:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37365
The shortlink copeid
(EDITORIAL from the Korea Herald on Dec. 25) - Treat yourself
This Christmas will be unlike many Christmases past for most Koreans. The unprecedented global economic crisis has landed on our shores, hitting Korea hard.
Production lines have stopped and many workers will not be taking home paychecks
this month as companies find themselves unable to pay their employees. The
economy is suffering and the worst is yet to come in the early part of next year,
according to President Lee Myung-bak and Korea's economic leaders.
There is far less joy and celebratory mood this Christmas season, regardless of
one's faith. Christmas carols are few and far between, reflecting the somber mood
of the economy and the people. The snappy Christmas tunes that blare out from the
speakers of Myeong-dong's shops seem hollow and out of place. Even the dazzling
show of lights at the Cheonggyecheon stream seems forlorn.
Shopping for presents for loved ones brings little joy. Yes, there are drastic
markdowns this Christmas season - there are numerous closing-down sales - but
they are just reminders of the bad economy. It is difficult to take delight in
the bargain when the sales are a reminder that people are losing jobs and that
you could be next.
Flipping through the newspaper provides no comfort. News of gloom and doom
dominate the pages. The pictures of the scuffles at the National Assembly and the
apparent inability of the lawmakers to sit down and deliberate on bills - many of
them urgent and having to do with the economy - are disheartening for Koreans
looking for strong leadership to steer the country out of the economic crisis.
However, between the big stories on all the things that are wrong with the
country, there are heartwarming snippets to be found.
Stories of those whose lives were turned upside down during the 1997 Asian
financial crisis but who eventually triumphed over seemingly insurmountable odds
provide inspiration to those whose future seems bleak.
Stories of anonymous donors giving to the needy, stories of large corporations
making sizable donations to charities and company employees who volunteer to work
at a home for the disabled are antidotes for all the bad news we are bombarded
with deily.
The giant thermometer showing the amount of donations made to the Community Chest
of Korea reads 51.7 degrees Celsius. This means that slightly more than 50
percent of the 208.5 billion won, the goal for this year, has been reached in the
year-end donation drive that kicked off Dec. 1 and will end Jan. 31.
According to the Community Chest of Korea, with the exception of 1998, the
organization has been able to reach its target every year. Last year's campaign
raised 198.5 billion won, exceeding the target amount.
As the economy suffers, there will be many more people who need help. If this
Christmas feels cheerless, think of the many others who are less fortunate.
Giving and sharing with others will lift your spirits. Give yourself a little
treat by helping others.
(END)
Production lines have stopped and many workers will not be taking home paychecks
this month as companies find themselves unable to pay their employees. The
economy is suffering and the worst is yet to come in the early part of next year,
according to President Lee Myung-bak and Korea's economic leaders.
There is far less joy and celebratory mood this Christmas season, regardless of
one's faith. Christmas carols are few and far between, reflecting the somber mood
of the economy and the people. The snappy Christmas tunes that blare out from the
speakers of Myeong-dong's shops seem hollow and out of place. Even the dazzling
show of lights at the Cheonggyecheon stream seems forlorn.
Shopping for presents for loved ones brings little joy. Yes, there are drastic
markdowns this Christmas season - there are numerous closing-down sales - but
they are just reminders of the bad economy. It is difficult to take delight in
the bargain when the sales are a reminder that people are losing jobs and that
you could be next.
Flipping through the newspaper provides no comfort. News of gloom and doom
dominate the pages. The pictures of the scuffles at the National Assembly and the
apparent inability of the lawmakers to sit down and deliberate on bills - many of
them urgent and having to do with the economy - are disheartening for Koreans
looking for strong leadership to steer the country out of the economic crisis.
However, between the big stories on all the things that are wrong with the
country, there are heartwarming snippets to be found.
Stories of those whose lives were turned upside down during the 1997 Asian
financial crisis but who eventually triumphed over seemingly insurmountable odds
provide inspiration to those whose future seems bleak.
Stories of anonymous donors giving to the needy, stories of large corporations
making sizable donations to charities and company employees who volunteer to work
at a home for the disabled are antidotes for all the bad news we are bombarded
with deily.
The giant thermometer showing the amount of donations made to the Community Chest
of Korea reads 51.7 degrees Celsius. This means that slightly more than 50
percent of the 208.5 billion won, the goal for this year, has been reached in the
year-end donation drive that kicked off Dec. 1 and will end Jan. 31.
According to the Community Chest of Korea, with the exception of 1998, the
organization has been able to reach its target every year. Last year's campaign
raised 198.5 billion won, exceeding the target amount.
As the economy suffers, there will be many more people who need help. If this
Christmas feels cheerless, think of the many others who are less fortunate.
Giving and sharing with others will lift your spirits. Give yourself a little
treat by helping others.
(END)
