Korea's Farmers Sunday July 17

This Sunday is the 27th Farmers Sunday in the Korean Church. The Eyes of the Believer column of the Catholic Times and editorial addressed the issue.

Presently  Korea does not focus on food self-sufficiency but takes care of the demand with imports. Farmers would like to see the focus on food self-sufficiency and the editorial sees no problem in having both as a focus and continuing to meet the demand with imports.

The columnist mentions her maternal uncles and aunts who are farmers. She buys and eats agricultural products such as rice, grains, garlic, and red pepper powder directly from her family in the countryside. It is heartbreaking to see elderly people in their 80s plowing paddy fields and farming in the scorching sun. Her aunt strives to do Eco-friendly farming using almost no pesticides or chemical fertilizers following the teachings of the church.
 
Even if you work diligently, weeds and insects are rampant in their fields, which have not been sprayed with pesticides, so there is not much produce that can be sold. Most of her cousins ​​live in cities or rural areas like the writer, but they do other work, sometimes helping their parents, with the farming. Life is difficult on the farms and the children opt for an easier and better-paying lifestyle in the cities.
 
According to data released by the National Statistical Office, the number of farm households in Korea is about 4.3% of the total population, and the percentage is rapidly decreasing every year. The aging of the rural areas has also become more severe, with 17.1% of the population aged 65 and over in Korea accounting for 46.8% of the elderly population in farm households. The average age of farm owners is 67.2 as of 2021, with 77.3% of owners over 60 years old. As the number of farmers in Korean society is gradually decreasing and aging, concerns about the disappearance of rural areas are growing.
 
As the number of people engaged in agriculture decreases, the food situation in our country continues to deteriorate. Korea's food self-sufficiency rate, which averaged 73.3% in the 1970s and 1980s, has dropped to 45.8% as of 2020. The self-sufficiency rate of wheat, which Koreans enjoy eating, is only 0.8%. If we are highly dependent on imports for food, we will inevitably take a hit when there is a problem in the international food supply chain. which is being experienced now.
 
 Recently around the world, warnings about a large-scale food crisis are increasing due to climate crises, war, drought, and heat waves. Russia, which invaded Ukraine this year, is the world's number one wheat exporter. It weaponized food, banned the export of major grains, and blocked the ports of Ukraine, the world's granary, blocking grain exports and destroying farmland with war. India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, has restricted wheat exports as production has declined due to heatwaves reaching 50 degrees Celsius. In addition, many countries are restricting grain exports for domestic supply. They are promoting food security for reasons such as reduced grain yields due to abnormal weather and instability in the grain supply chain due to war, which will further worsen the food shortage.
 
Farmers in Korea do hard work and suffer great damage to their crops due to climate crises such as drought and heatwave. Recently, as the government is pushing to join the Comprehensive and Gradual Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which requires opening up tariffs on agricultural, fishery, and livestock products, there is concern that the number of imported agricultural and fishery products will increase and the Korean agricultural and fishery industry will be devastated.
 

In an era when food became a weapon, 4.3% of the peasants, a small minority, worked hard to plow the land and grow crops like the prophets of old, and thanks to their struggle to protect agriculture sacrificed by the government policy that prioritizes export industries, we show our thanks on the 27th Farmers' Day. Let's remember with gratitude that they are protecting our food. Our interest and solidarity are desperately needed so that the struggle of the peasants does not become their own private battle.

Did the Universe Appear By Chance?

 

In the Catholic Times column knowing God with Science, a university priest professor discusses the Human Principle [human life is one piece of evidence which cannot, in and of itself, be completely discounted].
 
The Human Principle refers to the assertion that these 'fine-tuned necessary conditions for the survival of life' must be met for living things, especially human beings, to survive in the universe. Since the human principle was first named by Australian physicist Brandon Carter (1942-) in 1974, there have been various versions of the human principle, but at least until now, no one has scientifically refuted the 'principle'. Even Richard Dawkins acknowledges the importance of the human principle in modern cosmology.
 
The works of scientists are widely accepted as theistic interpretations of the human principle: 'It is no coincidence that human beings and living things survive only on the Earth, it is due to the intentional plan of the Creator and meticulous design of the designer'. In the end, it became an opportunity for many theistic scientists and believers to use it as a decisive tool in defending their faith.
 
One example of the theists' fervent welcome of human principles is the John Templeton Foundation's annual Templeton Prize, called the Religious Nobel Prize for people who have contributed greatly to the field of religion. Paul Davis (1995), John Barrow (2006), and Martin Rees (2011), major figures in publicizing fine-tuning and human principles.
 
Richard Dawkins once ridiculed Paul Davis for winning the Templeton Award: "Most physicists use religious metaphors from time to time. Paul Davis' book The Mind of God seems to wander between Einsteinian pantheism and vague deism. The book earned him the Templeton Prize (a fairly large annual prize awarded by the Templeton Foundation, usually awarded to a scientist who has said a good thing about religion)".
 
These works of scientists are widely accepted as a theistic interpretation of the human principle: 'It is no coincidence that human beings and living things survive only on the Earth. It became an opportunity for many theistic scientists and believers to use it as a decisive tool in defending their faith.
 
Circumstances being what they are, scientific atheists must prepare their theoretical grounds to support the truth of their atheism by using this human principle, which has not been scientifically refuted. The ‘atheistic cosmology’ that was born from this background is the ‘multiverse theory’ that is widely known these days.
 
There are many different versions of the multiverse but in common, it starts with the idea there is not one universe, but there are countless universes, and one of them is the universe that we live in. Each universe is created by rapidly expanding through a process called the Big Bang, just like soap bubbles made by children in amusement parks, which later disappear.
 
This multiverse idea arose by combining the widely accepted human principle with the conventional concept of the rapid expansion of the universe right after the Big Bang. Some theoretical physicists at the time believed that the concept of the inevitable creator or designer of the universe would be unavoidable if only our universe existed and assumed there were infinitely many universes  to avoid the inevitability of the creation of the universe.
 
The argument for multiple worlds starts from the same fact. There may be many such universes. And the characteristics of the universes are thought to be very different from each other. One or more of these universes will have life-permitting properties. Our universe looks as if it was designed. But in fact, the universe is just the kind of thing to be expected over time. Canadian philosopher John Leslie said: "Give him a typewriter and give him enough time, and even a monkey will compose a sonnet."
 
In this way, if we argue that one of our universes, which satisfies human principles, was born accidentally, we can explain the human principles of our universe based on coincidence. Can we say that the multiverse theory is scientific and persuasive?                  
 

Death With Dignity Pitfalls

 

 

In the Eyes of the Believer column of the Catholic Times a parish priest revisits the issue of death with dignity and the trap it creates with its different meanings.

 

He begins with a story of a daughter who lives with her 97-year-old mother at home. The mother suffers from dementia; communication is difficult since she doesn't even recognize the daughter. The daughter has to take care of everything from meals to bowel movements. When asked why she didn't take her to a nursing home, she thought the mother would die soon if she went to such a facility, so took care of her at home. Of course, there is a medical care provider who comes, and other brothers and sisters come to take care of her when necessary. The daughter is in her late 70s, and not in the best of health. It's like seeing a saint practicing the spirituality of giving and caring. 

However, it is regrettable that the reality of our society is gradually moving away from the idea that we should respect and care for life. This is because life is divided into 'useful' and 'useless' based on economic measures of efficiency and productivity. Therefore, there is no question that the anti-life value, judged only by material abundance, health, and pleasure, is prevalent in the culture of death. 

 

As if to reflect this, a poll last year showed that 76.3% of the people were in favor of legalizing euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. The fact that the approval rate has increased by 1.5 times compared to the survey five years ago indicates that the perception of euthanasia has changed considerably. The atmosphere calling for the introduction of euthanasia is asking: "Will you just watch over a family who suffers from an irreversible disease and then watch the family break down and eventually lead to caring homicide?" 

 

Not only well-being but also claims for well-dying can be seen at the same time. Taking advantage of this atmosphere, a bill to introduce suicide by assisting doctors was also proposed by the National Assembly for the first time, and its pros and cons are mixed. Unlike the current law, the patients can decide their own death with dignity even in a "non-terminal process" and lead to death through drug administration. Is "dignified death" with the help of a doctor really dying like a human being?

The Bishops' Council's bioethics committee issued a statement strongly against the recent National Assembly bill, which calls for restoring a culture of  interest and care, which is actually suicide and involvement with it. It is against right reason when medicine is used to kill people rather than save them. 

 

A typical example of medicine being abused to kill people can be found in the movie: You Don't Know Jack (2010). Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the real protagonist of the film, is a doctor who advocates euthanasia and was a hot topic in the United States some years ago. He helped 130 people commit suicide, and for that reason was eventually jailed for second-degree murder and released on parole.

Patients with incurable diseases, such as Lou Gehrig's disease, terminal cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and paralyzed persons with no possibility of recovery, do not want to be a burden on their families anymore and want death. 

 

However, human life is dignified, and as God says, "I am the one who kills, I am the one who gives life" (Deuteronomy 32:39), euthanasia as a human choice cannot but be ungodly and unethical because God is the ruler of life. Euthanasia is the act aimed at eliminating pain, pain is meaningless and should be eliminated. However, if you realize that there is a dimension of mystery and grace that pain brings, the consideration of caring for the end of life will follow, like the daughter who takes care of her elderly mother at home. 

 

Trickle-down Theory of Economics

 

The recent issue of the Catholic Peace Weekly in the Eyes of the Priest column, we hear his thoughts on the Trickle-down Theory of economics.

On the 16th of last month, the government announced the new economic policy direction. Many wondered what direction the new government's economic policy would take in the era of high inflation. One of the most controversial issues was the corporate tax rate cut. Corporate tax is a tax levied on the income of a corporation. Simply put, it is an income tax levied on a company.

However, according to the government announcement, the key is to lower the current top tax rate of 25% to 22%. The logic is that if the tax on companies that make a lot of money is reduced, the economy will be activated as a result with the creation of new jobs, which naturally increases the country's growth potential. 

This is a classic trickle-down theoretical approach. It is argued that if economic support is provided to the wealthy and entrepreneurs, the overall economy can be improved by being more active, and the resulting benefits will also be passed on to the low-income classes.

However, the problem is that this trickle-down theory has never been proven effective in real life. Reducing the tax did not have a major effect on investment and employment, but rather increased the company's internal reserves. In 2015, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Monetary Fund's IMF Strategic Policy Evaluation Bureau, released a report that analyzed the cases of more than 150 countries around the world and found that the so-called trickle-down effect is completely wrong logic. 

Even Pope Francis has spoken on the trickle-down effect, saying: "In the past, there was a belief that when a glass is full, the profits will be shared with the poor, but now when the glass is full, the glass magically gets bigger, giving nothing to the poor."  The Pope also points out in the Encyclical: "All Brothers", that neoliberalism repeatedly reproduces solutions to various social problems, relying on a magical trickle-down theory, but today’s problems of inequality are not solved in this way. 

A Research Institute also came up with an analysis that estimated the decrease in tax revenue, which was about 1.7 trillion won as of the report in 2020. However, lowering the corporate tax rate is not just a reduction in tax revenue. In the end, the tax revenue reduced by the tax cuts for the rich can lead to someone else's tax increase, or the government's essential spending can be cut by that much. There is also concern that the various supports given to the socially vulnerable right now may be reduced.

In this sense, the economic policy direction of the new government should be reviewed again. I hope that we can support the socially and economically vulnerable with the tax from the profits of companies that earned more, so we can try to resolve the polarization that has become more severe due to COVID-19. 

It seems that a policy that takes care of those who have the most difficulty with rising prices is needed first, rather than focusing on the corporate tax of large corporations that can survive on their own when the economy gets tough. When the new government establishes the economic policy direction, it is good to remember that the word 'economic' in Korean is 經濟 and the abbreviated phrase 經世濟民 means economics is the way to manage the world and save the people. This is important for all of us to remember.

Understanding Depression as a Catholic

 In the recent issues of the Catholic Times and Catholic Peace Weekly two articles reviewed a book published many years ago and recently translated into Korean: The Catholic Guide to Depression by Catholic psychiatrist Aaron Keriaty with Fr. John Cihak, STD.

"If a patient of faith asks if he should pray more or take medicine for the treatment of depression, my answer is do both." The guide is for ordinary Christians suffering from depression, as well as pastors, religious, spiritual leaders, and doctors who are by their side to help them. 

Growing faith can free you from the pain of depression?  Or depression has nothing to do with religious life? The writer points out that these tips worsen rather than alleviate depression. It's advice that does not understand depression as a disease or the impact of depression on the spiritual life and faith.

Psychiatry and psychology have taught us a lot about depression, but the whole picture of this suffering is complex. This is because biological and psychological factors as well as all kinds of social, cultural and spiritual factors are caused and influenced by them. 

The word 'depression' has the meaning of 'a hollow on a flat road'. Therefore, in order to properly understand the causes and aspects of depression, which is multifaceted, and to treat it appropriately, we have no choice but to talk with philosophy and theology.

The author is visited by many Catholics, including priests suffering from depression. To meet mental health professionals who share their faith. The causes of depression are complex, and each person is born with strong genetic factors and environmental factors early in life. Genetic and environmental factors manifest their influence regardless of our living circumstances or choices, no matter how earnestly we pray or how moral we are. 

"Religiously devout people, and even saints suffered from severe depression." The author approaches depression from two perspectives, holding on to the Catholic view that there is an essential unity between the soul and the body, and between the mind and matter. While examining the medical, psychological, social, and spiritual causes and treatment methods of depression from the 'top'; and from the 'bottom', that is, genetic and other biological factors and treatment options for depression are discussed.

Pope Saint John Paul II, in his speech at the 18th International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Health and Pastoral Affairs held in November 2003, said: "With his infinite love, God is always near to those who are suffering. Depression can be a 'path to discovering a different side of you', and it can be a new encounter with God." Exploring depression from a Catholic point of view may serve as a lure for readers seeking clues to new encounters with themselves and with God.

 

 

'Death With Dignity' Meaning?

The Catholic Peace Weekly in the Diagnosis of the Times column introduces the readers to the movement for euthanasia in Korea. 

On June 16, 2022, the "Assistance and Dignity Act" was proposed. The reason for the proposal of this bill is that, in a recent public opinion poll (1,000 adults), 76.3% supported euthanasia because of increased interest in 'death with dignity. They are trying to promote the right to self-determination that allows one to end their life with the assistance of the doctor in charge. 

First of all, the law presupposes that euthanasia is a 'death with dignity. In the Declaration on Euthanasia (1980) published by the Pontifical Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, euthanasia refers to 'the act or omission which in its nature or intent causes death intending to eliminate all suffering'. In other words, euthanasia intentionally induces death by directly administering a poison or stopping the supply of water and nutrients essential to sustain life. Direct or indirect, irrespective of the act, aimed at the death of the patient. 

In addition, ending one's life with the help of a doctor is called "doctor-assisted suicide." Unlike general suicide, the only means of suicide is to be provided by a doctor, so it is called doctor-assisted suicide by combining 'physician assistance' and 'suicide'.

This act of purpose for death, from euthanasia to doctor-assisted suicide, we call murder. But why is it called 'death with dignity? Euthanasia is the cessation of a drug or life-sustaining action with the intention of a third person to kill the patient. 

 

In other words, doctors believe that doctors should assist patients' demands for self-control and control over their own lives through the right to self-determination, and this is regarded as the realization of human dignity. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are absolutely unacceptable acts confusing murder with dignity.

In 2018, Australian ecologist Goodall committed assisted suicide in Switzerland because life was no longer enjoyable. This led the poll participants to a practical understanding of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and the survey period (March-April 2021) was a depressing time for all citizens due to the pandemic. In addition, they are in favor of euthanasia for reasons such as the meaninglessness of the rest of life (30.8%), the right to a good (dignified) death (26.0%), and alleviation of pain (20.6%). 

This requires very careful reflection. Many people in our society have lost meaning for life. This is already proven by the high suicide rate, which is a very serious situation. Also, there is a widespread misconception about what one means by a good (dignified) death.

Professor Yoon Young-ho of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital, who led this poll, points out that patients should first look at the situation in which they want to be euthanized. In other words, medical measures to reduce the physical and mental pain of patients or support for medical expenses, and efforts to make the rest of their lives meaningful are needed first. This is because reaching the end of life with dignity is not something that can be obtained by hastening death, but is only possible when you accompany the patient with human warmth until the end.

North Korea And Climate Crisis

On the Catholic Website Now/Here, a Religious Sister's lecture on Understanding North Korea right away was reproduced. 'Climate Crisis and North Korea's Response' was the topic.

 

Natural disasters occur every year due to the climate crisis. South Korea, the 11th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, declared carbon neutral by 2050. Although North Korea emits less than one-tenth of South Korea's greenhouse gas emissions, it is actively responding to climate crisis adaptation and carbon emission reduction. 

 

In June last year, North Korea submitted a Voluntary National Review to the UN on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are the agenda that the UN General Assembly decided to achieve by 2030 at the 2015 UN General Assembly, and presented 17 common human goals for sustainable development. Through the report, North Korea expressed its intention to participate in the efforts to achieve the SDGs pursued by the world and announced the current status of its SDGs and its implementation plan.

 

Sister Jin introduced the report and explained that North Korea is in "the struggle against climate change and its impact. In 2015, there was a drought and heavy rain, and the average temperature that year was 1 degree Celsius higher than the average year. In August and September 2016, record heavy rains fell along the Tuman River in North Hamgyong Province, causing the river to overflow. From 2018 to 20, there have been higher than normal temperatures, typhoons, human casualties, and huge damage to crops and infrastructure, and more than one natural disaster has occurred every year for the past decade. 

 

North Korea is diagnosing itself as "a country prone to extreme climate change." In addition, North Korea stated in the report that solving the energy problem is the country's top priority. It reports that the use of renewable energy is increasing but the proportion of use is small. Sister explained that North Korea has set a goal of reducing 36 million tons (15.65 percent) of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and 157 million tons (50.34 percent) with international aid. 

 

Planning for climate change adaptation in science, forestry, and energy North Korea has been aware of the various social and economic problems caused by climate change even before this report, and after adopting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992, it has ratified all climate change-related treaty documents. Specifically, regarding North Korea's perception of the climate crisis, Sister said that since there is little information publicly available to the international community, she can guess based on North Korean media reports such as "Rodong Newspaper" and "Democratic Chosun". 

 

First of all, North Korea is making efforts to develop science and technology in almost all fields, including scientific farming methods and solutions to food crises. According to Meteorology and Hydrology, the only climate-related academic journal published four times a year, research on the modernization and information of weather and climate predictions is increasing. A developed weather information notification program even though they did not disclose detailed research, achievements, observation equipment, technology, etc. because North Korea recognizes meteorological information as military information. A smartphone app, 'Weather' 2.0, is a 'mobile phone weather information service system' in North Korea.

 

The next area that North Korea is focusing on in response to the climate crisis is forest restoration and energy. In the 2000s, North Korea established a 10-year forest plan, but failed due to a lack of investment and weakened social control. North Korea self-diagnosed and set up a 10-year forestry and agricultural complex management strategy and business plan for 2015-24.

 

Sister said that energy discourse has rapidly increased in North Korea since 2010, so even if it is not a friendly country, they are introducing examples of renewable energy. She also said that North Korea is promoting the development of energy technology and making it known, and trying to expand 'zero energy' (producing enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy consumption) and 'zero carbon' technologies. In 2013, North Korea adopted the renewable energy law. 

 

However, the facilities and technologies are outdated and the rainfall is not constant, so a dramatic increase in electricity production has not been achieved. According to the National Statistical Office, as of 2019, electricity use in North Korea was only 49.3 percent. Electricity utilization rate refers to the proportion of the population with access to electricity. "There is a phenomenon in which households, small institutions, and companies import small solar panels and voltage devices from China and use them in their places of work."

 

Sister Jin saw that North Korea, which is aware of the seriousness of the climate crisis and is making various plans to respond to the climate crisis in science, forestry, and energy, suggests the possibility of cooperation with South Korea.