Don’t criminalize consuming alcohol
However, Korea’s measures are very light compared to that of Turkey. Earlier in June, the nation banned advertisement of all alcohol products, and restaurants and bars have to cover or remove the logos and marks of all alcohol products from doors, windows, parasols and coolers.
The law applies to all alcoholic beverages including beer, the Turkish drink Raki and whiskey, and breaking the ban is subject to heavy fines ranging from 2.7 million won ($26,513) to 100 million won.
The law was passed last year and was enforced this June after a one-year probation. Now, 250,000 restaurants, bars, supermarkets, kiosks and so on are frantically removing signs and logos.
Founded in 1923, Turkey is the most secular of the Islamic nations. Founding President Mustafa Ataturk adopted a strict separation of politics and religion, and the country has a generous alcohol-related policy. As tens of millions of tourists visit Turkey every year, the sale of alcohol is very common there.
But in 2003, pro-Islam Justice and Development Party (AKP) came into power and promoted conservative and backward policies, which created some domestic discord. However, Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has incapacitated the military and won the election again, swaying unchallenged power and pushing for pro-Islamic policies.
Erdogan has brought back capital punishment, which had been abolished so that Turkey could join the European Union, by citing cases in the United States and China. Abortion was allowed in the past, but in 2012, murder charges were applied to the action. He even opposes cesarean section.
Drinking bans at universities have expanded nationwide, banning the advertisement of alcoholic beverages altogether. Erdogan compared drinking alcohol to using drugs and committing terrorist attacks. He recommends drinking yogurt instead.
Most Turkish citizens are resisting the changes. Their biggest complaint is that drinking is considered a crime whereas corruption scandals associated with Erdogan are condoned.
The law has already affected alcoholic beverage sales seriously. Turkey’s biggest beer company has shut down its factory in Anatolia and its sales went down by more than 10 percent.
Many Muslims may welcome the strict measure. But a politician who truly serves the citizens needs to consider which is a more serious crime, stealing or drinking.
*The author is a chair professor at Duksung Women’s University.
BY RHIE WON-BOK
JoongAng Ilbo, June 19, Page 28
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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