Circumcision has long been considered a rite of passage for young men in Korea. This tradition made Korea one of the countries with a high rate of male circumcision. This phenomenon was influenced more by the presence of the US military than by religious or cultural reasons. Under the influence of the US military, circumcision came to be seen as a surgical procedure for reproductive hygiene and infection prevention, actively promoted by educational institutions as a societal norm.
On the other hand, religions such as Judaism and Islam attribute religious significance to circumcision. However, in Korea, circumcision has been performed for reasons related to hygiene rather than religious reasons. However, over the past few decades, perceptions of circumcision have been changing. Now, not all men undergo circumcision as in the past, and the number of people opting for the procedure has decreased due to growing doubts about its necessity.
Furthermore, not undergoing circumcision does not necessarily lead to abnormalities or problems in the genitalia. If the foreskin separates naturally from the glans and is kept clean, there are generally no major issues. Additionally, circumcision can cause discomfort in daily life and may even leave trauma if performed during childhood.
Thus, circumcision is a matter of personal choice, and there are cases where it may be necessary and others where it is optional. Circumcision may be necessary in cases of difficulty in achieving erection or recurrent inflammation. However, contrary to the myth that circumcision decreases sensitivity, its actual correlation has not been proven. Therefore, the decision regarding circumcision should be based on individual circumstances and preferences.
Moreover, there is a growing trend of people choosing to avoid circumcision. Especially in cases where there are abnormalities in the urethra or when circumcision is not desired for personal reasons. Such decisions should be respected as they are based on individual will and circumstances.
These changes reflect a shifting perception of circumcision. Societal norms from the past do not necessarily have to persist, and a social atmosphere where each individual's choices are respected needs to be fostered. Therefore, individual decision-making regarding circumcision is crucial, and it requires access to diverse information and understanding.
