/ Courtesy of Clark Gu

In contemporary society, we are asked to acknowledge a wide range of people and relationships. If two women choose to live together, the subject of a popular book and podcast here in Korea, we are encouraged to respect their relationship despite how unconventional it might at first appear. If men find attraction in the same sex, we are reminded that love is love in whatever form it arrives. Even those who reject marriage or dating altogether, a growing trend among young people who are choosing to abandon more traditional life paths, deserve recognition for their choices. At its core, this ethos of respect stems from a clear principle: do not judge others.

This principle extends beyond relationships and includes daily habits, tastes and appearance. We all want the freedom to watch our favorite YouTube videos, to meet the people we want, and interpret issues in our own way. We don’t want to be told what hairstyle we must have or what clothes we must wear. We don’t want to be forced into morning exercise routines at school as was the case a few decades ago. And we don’t want to be forced at university to study the political ideology of our leader as is the case in China today. We enjoy freedom in our own lives. But if we expect this freedom for ourselves, we must extend it to others. To deny others their freedom while........

© The Korea Times