Pictures from the Orange County Buffet in Dongnae. I often feel cheated eating at buffets in Korea, because they lack two essential items: (1) unlimited free soda and (2) ice cream for dessert. Who cares if you can cook unlimited amounts of beef at your table if you can’t refill your soda five times at the fountain? Also, who wants to eat toast for dessert?

Sheesh, Korea, you do me wrong.

But, yet, I can’t quit you.

Korea Faces More International Child Custody Controversies
The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral treaty, which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return. The "Child Abduction Section" provides information about the operation of the Convention and the work of the Hague Conference in monitoring its implementation and promoting international co-operation in the area of child abduction. (Hague Conference on Private International Law, a global inter-governmental organisation.)
This is a list of Hague Abduction Convention Countries.  Conspicuous by its absence?  South Korea.  This is going to be a huge problem for Korea.  First, it is well-known that interracial marriage is increasing in Korea and abroad.  The reason?  Koreans are migrating to other countries for work and education.  It is inevitable that people meet their spouses through "non-traditional (whatever that means)" methods.  Second, the divorce rate in Korea is rising.   If you put the first and second facts together, then it is mere common sense that suggests that the children of interracial couples, or couples whose home country may be different from one another, will be subject to extreme controversy.

Individual Stories Are Making Headlines, One Case at a Time
Last week, in The New York Post, this dramatic story appeared regarding a child hidden in Korea by the father in Korea.  This is not the only story of its kind.  Earlier in the year, a slightly different case was made public, and attracted a great amount of notice. 

Other countries who have not ratified the Hague Abduction Convention have been widely criticized.  The most obvious example:  Japan has also not ratified the Hague Abduction Convention, despite international criticism.   While Korea allegedly recognizes foreign decrees of law, the New Yor Post article strongly suggests otherwise.  The mother had a decree from a U.S. court, but Korean law enforcement officials were of no help to her as she struggled to locate her child in Korea. 

How Korea Handles These Cases Will Be An Important Litmus Test
One of the central ideas of the Seoul Gyopo Guide is that Korea has an outmoded social and legal system, which is not in step with other areas of its rapid development.  There are undoubtedly countless other stories like the two that have been mentioned:  it is a certainty that many more exist, and have not yet received any publicity.  There has been the suggestion that Korea would eventually adopt the Hague Abduction Convention.  However, that has not been the case, yet.  Even if the Hague Convention is adopted in Korea, it is not clear that Korea will enforce the Hague Convention.  Korea has had an exceptionally poor record with respect to following international norms in many areas that interface with the law.  Perhaps only extreme amounts of negative publicity will force Korea to conform to international standards.  Time will tell, but one thing is almost a certainty: the number of cases will inevitably rise, given the social trends within Korea (more divorces), and the great number of Koreans with experience living outside Korea.  How Korea handles this area will serve as another litmus test in determining whether or not Korea is continuing to join the international community.

As with other posts with a ‘Random Pictures’ title, these are photos that are too interesting to keep to myself, but didn’t fit in with any other post. Enjoy!

Yes, these are models. No, these are not zombies. If you were confused too, raise your hand. Seen in Myeongdong, Seoul.

Mario! As we all know, this hero of Nintendo fame really knows how to sell clothes. Seen in Gwangju.

You’ve just gotta love the art seen in pedestrian underpasses. Seen near Noksapyeong station in Seoul.

The Jurassic Park tour bus?! Sweet! Seen in Namyangju while visiting one of the royal tombs in Namyangju.

Apparently, there’s more than just an app for this church – they’ve got the GodPhone in their pockets. Wonder if that comes with a contract…

The brief snow my area saw in early December was beautiful on the piano-like benches.

I love it when the sky gets all dramatic and the trees get all silhouette-y.

Half of Korea’s yin and yang symbol; the other half’s on the other door. Seen in Namyangju, east in Seoul.

This is either hideously ugly, or a cute touch to promote yet another coffee shop. Seen in Gwangju.

© Chris Backe – 2011

This post was originally published on my blog,Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.

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