The Simple Life

SOUTH KOREA

President Park Chung Hee last week closed five of his six presidential villas, and having set that example, called on his people to begin a nationwide bout of belt tightening. The reason: a further decline in South Korea's shaky economy. So, said Park, government officials must stop driving cars and learn to commute by bus or bicycle, reduce their liquor intake and cut restaurant side dishes to a maximum of three. In keeping with his austere mood, Park advised women to wear their skirts shorter and demanded crew cuts for men. Above all, civil servants must stay out of kiseng (geisha) houses. That, declared the proprietress of a big kiseng house in Seoul, was carrying things too far. Said she: "Where else can government officials transact their business?"

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