Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

03-22-2009 17:33
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/03/117_41733.html

Law Against Junk Food Takes Effect

By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter

A law to protect children from junk food took effect Sunday, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said.

Under the law, ``unhealthy food�� cannot be sold within a radius of 200 meters from primary and secondary schools.

It is the Korean government�s first attempt to introduce a law to halt the rising obesity and health problems among teenagers.

However, the list of outlawed foodstuffs ― those high in calories and low on nutrition ― has yet to be decided, but noodles and fried chicken have already been removed from it.

In addition, food authorities were earlier thwarted in an attempt to restrict fast food ads on TV under the new law.

The obesity rate among Korean students has been rising in tandem with the growing number of fast food stores.

[email protected]

[wylies99]

[Skippy]

Expect this to be overturned in a week or two. OR made so redundant to as have not teeth. This will be like the time the government tried to make children's safety seats mandatory
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2795135

Already I can think of a couple of stores that will need to be shut down. And a few restaurants.

[michaelambling]

A similar law was put in place in Sweden; it's very easy to enforce and a good idea, IMO. I'm impressed with Korea's forward-thinking approach to this issue.

[Robot_Teacher]

[Arthur Dent]

If it doesn't include hagwons - and I can't see how it could given where they are often located - the law will have little effect.
A well-meant effort but, as with many laws in Korea, it will be circumvented.
Only a proper home life with a balanced diet by mom will solve this problem.
Chances of that?
I wouldn't want to calculate them.

[nosmallplans]

If I can't buy waffles after school at the local waffle stand I'm going to murder someone.

[Xuanzang]

There`s a ddeokbokki and fried stuff shop next to the bus stop right across from my school. Chances are students will be filling up there again tomorrow after school. I guess the school cafe food doesnt get counted as unhealthy either, huh?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

This will probably be enforced as strongly as any of the other 'laws' pertaining to schools. I suppose it also means that teachers aren't allowed to give out candies as prizes?

[kiknkorea]

I don't see this going very far. Kids know thier way to and around snack shops too well.
From observing my students, I think school bags here come with a junk food compartment installed!

[itaewonguy]

200 meters? hahahahahhaa from the front gate??? hahahahaha
WHAT total BS! who comes up with these stupid ideas???

[D.D.]

What I don't understand is why there is so many corner stores in Korea.
There is like 6 around my house and they are putting a 7-11 in my building now. On top of that there is a Baskin Robbins and 8 coffee places as well as two other ice cream shops. There is also 3 bakeries. All this junk food within 5 minutes walk of each other. There is going to be some fat asses in Korea soon.

[SHANE02]

[oldtactics]

Looks like the tuck shop in my cafeteria building is going to go belly up if this is actually implemented - all they sell there is junk food.

[Xuanzang]