[KS] Re: two queries (Honour Killings)

[HKHogarth at aol.com]

I would say that 'honour killings'  have been (and I suspect still are, 
albeit covertly) present in Korean society.  There are many documents 
recording 'honour killings' . For example,  Yi Kyubo cites a few instances in 
'Han'gugin Ui sOng kwa sarang' (1987, Seoul: MunUmsa).  For example, on p197, 
in the 11th year of ChOngjo's reign, a teenaged widow called Ku,  was lynched 
and drowned by his uncle and brother, who heard a rumour that she was having 
an affair.  Their cruel behaviour was said to be perfectly justified, since 
the rumour, although not verified, was damaging enough for the family honour 
and  would hinder their advancement in the government career.  

Hyun-key Kim Hogarth


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