If you're aware of the research and the continuing research, I don't see how you could take a stance that is anything less than "it's not ok." I used to be the same way prior to having a child-- I figured my parents spanked me once in a while and I turned out ok. And my dad's logic made total sense: he did it so I would fear him even if I wouldn't fear dying, etc and it was to keep me safe. But once you start looking into it, all of the data points overwhelmingly towards it being bad or at the very least, not effective. And smacking your own child for no effect should not be an ideal situation for any parent.

As far as what you saw in South Korea, how do you explain the fact that Nordic countries rival SK for test scores, etc? And they have outlawed the physical "punishment" of children for decades. Honestly, saying it appears to be effective because of your personal observation is like saying "I saw the leader blow the whistle which she said would keep lions away. I saw no lions for the entire time I was there." If all science said a whistle won't keep lions away, you would be a fucking idiot for continuing to believe that whistle did anything at all.

And my point about corporal punishment and respect was an anecdote, but I firmly believe that respect is earned. Children crave boundaries and rules. They need it to thrive. It's really fucked up in the US where I live because permissive parenting rules and being a strict parent makes me look like Mama Hitler. But my child knows the rules, knows what the expect. I have measured and appropriate responses to his behavior. And I don't think hitting my child is an acceptable response no more than hitting my spouse would be an acceptable response.

If your definition of respect is obedience no matter the catalyst, and you prize respect over better brain development, empathy, and other things that are better developed by not being violent, then I guess there's nothing to discuss.

And while a lot of parents suck, the majority are good parents who love their kids and want what's best for them. We should stop pretending that hitting their kids is giving them what's best for them the same way we need to stop this self-esteem, overly permissive parenting madness that never teaches no or limits. Either extreme is unacceptable.