[The Chosun Ilbo, June 7 2007] When Is a Joke not a Joke?

Humor has become a desirable quality in politics of late. Many politicians, including presidential contenders, want to be remembered as humorous individuals. They crack jokes during lectures, tell humorous anecdotes or deliver punch lines prepared by speechwriters who used to be writers for radio or TV. Some lawmakers have even founded a "Humor Forum" or "Humor Academy" and hosted several seminars on this topic, under the motto "Humor can revive the country." Politicians are making great efforts to catch up with this era of jocularity.

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