Korean Dumplings

The Korean word for dumplings “mandu”, but if the authorities can be believed it may soon be “kid”. A recent news article, translated version available through Korea Beat, has warned that obesity it 80% higher in Korean children than in adults.

Now this may not seem shocking when you realize [gods it hurts to spell realise with a z] that the older generations went through wars, and famines, and the legacy of Japanese occupation. Even the Koreans of my generation grew up with food and electricity shortages, emphasizing [there's that z again] that the powerhouse that is Korea today is only a fairly new development.

Even so… 80% higher obesity in children can’t be right. I’m seeing some tall Korean boys, an indicator of good nutrition, but the amount of small, round, Koreans is growing too. In order to combat the spread (pun intended) of junk food diets, the schools are no longer going to be able to stock vending machines full of ramyuns (or ramens, a Korean spicy noodle), soft drinks, and chips.

Now to some of us this may look like yet another example of excessive government, but when we get down to it the youth of today will be the leaders and workers of tomorrow, and as such are a resource that needs to be cultivated now so that it may be taxed and exploited to the fullest later. The kids had some interesting ideas about it though, as I found out by asking about the plan as the basis of a writing task … and here are excerpts from a few of them with the original language uncorrected.

“Good. Because, school is must protect students, and make study environment. Coffee and juice don’t need” – S

“I think it’s a good idea because school and government thought junk food or fast food are not good for students health so they banned…. [big snip]… I don’t mind school and government banned eat junk food in school, because I think this rule that I have to keep and it is students duty.” - Jes

“… cokes or ramens are harmful for our health. If allowed, students eat them and they’ll don’t feel hungry anymore. Thus they won’t want to eat meals, so they will become weaker and weaker.” – A

“That is very bad idea I think. The coffees are good to drink and it easy to get off from the sleepy” – J

“I don’t like that idea because its their (student’s) choice to drink coffee or soft drinks.”- Jen

“I think it is good. Because if vending machine in the school I will cost a lot of money. And my health will be terrible.” – M

“I think it is dangerous, because if one student cook something she or he have an accident.” – D

“Junk food has high calorie, but we can eat junk food fast. Today, people always busy. So they should eat fast. But rice with stew is difficult to eat fast ….But junk food is not good to health so I think eat junk food 4 times in a month.” – Ja

“… good idea. Because modern students are not healthy….. And many students think coffee is comfortable to getting off our sleepy days. But it’s not good method…… It is start to go to our bright future I think.” – E 

Now just to reward everyone that is still watching, and to once again confirm that I am a misogynistic bastard, here is an image of what a fat Korean child does NOT look like