South Korea: Mini Skirt Regulation Provokes Outrage

All sorts of civil restrictions seem to be cropping up from governments worldwide.

In South Korea, new regulations on mini skirt, which domestic officials label as “excessive” public exposure, have prompted for public outrage.

From Korea Times

A decree to fine those who engage in “excessive” public exposure passed at a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Park Geun-hye ignited controversy Monday.

The decree is expected to go into effect starting March 22.

People were outraged by the 50,000 won fine, as it brought back memories of similar restrictions on skirt lengths in the 1970s under the rule of the late President Park Chung-hee.

Many netizens criticized the decree as a signal of a return to the authoritarian era.

Social networks services, such as Twitter and Facebook, were buzzing with critical comments ― ranging from who decides the standards of decency to whether the decree will apply to swimming pools and gymnasiums.

Considering that South Korea ranks as one of the most wired or web connected nation in the world, it would be interesting to watch the forces of decentralization “netcitizens” square off with her centralized government.

The trend to regulate everything seem also an offshoot to bubble cycles, where the expanding sphere of political control represent growing signs of desperation by political forces over failed policies. Such also signifies the attempt to divert the public's attention from real problems.