Saturday, August 31, 2002

Personal note: Have I been in Korea too long and subconsciously adopted a strong sense of filial piety? Perhaps I'm a precognitive Buddhist. What lends to these ethical and religious meanderings in my mind.....my *#$!@ sister.

On the best of days I find her barely tolerable and remain content in the fact that I rarely ever have to see or speak to her. But more recently, I have been endeavouring to bridge this gap, albiet slightly, in light of the fact that she had become pregnant. I sent e-mails, postcards, even called on her birthday....okay I was blackmailed by my Mother to do that one. But now she has gone too far. She told my parents NOT to come and visit when the baby is due because "they want to have time to be their own family"!???! Overlooking the fact that a multitude of HIS relatives live in the same town as them and will no doubt be visiting and HIS sisters and brother would NEVER have been told so rudely to keep away, lets consider other implications of this. First, if the grandparents on the mother's side can't come does that also extend to me and other immediate family members? I would assume so. Second, does she even have the right to deny the opportunity to be there for their very first grandchild?

But I think what strikes me most is that any human being could purposefully and determindely say something like that in full knowledge of how much it would deeply hurt them. Where is the respect for family, the filial piety and common decency towards those closest to us?

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

The National Assembly is in the midst of ousting the second Prime Minister-elect Chang Daeu-whan in just a few weeks. Media mogul Mr. Chang is being interrogated over evasion and other cases of law breaches. The whole on-going saga of finding an appropriate prime minister to fill the post for the remaining four months of the incumbent administration is proving more trouble than its worth and gives rise to one rather pertinent question....is there ANYONE in this country with the credentials to fill the post? That is to say, the laws that have been breached including tax evasion, falisfying addresses and other information to boost the chances of their children's education, and dodging mandatory military service for their kids are actions so rife in this country that anyone with political standing is likely to have committed one or more of these deeds. The presidential candidate of the GNP, Lee Hoi Chang has assisted his son to evade military service, two of President Kim's sons are in gaol and under investigation. There isn't even a clean President, so can we expect to find a clean prime minister?

Am I the only one who thinks its a bit dodgey that the government that conducted a massive investigation into the media dealings and imprisoned several leading media moguls then turns around and selected one of them to be prime minister? Do we assume the MDP was unaware of his dealings....after conducting such an intensive investigation only last year in media tax dealings? Do we assume the MDP is ridiculously stupid? I'm not sure which of these options is right or if there is another suggestion that would clear this matter up but it seems almost surreal at this point.

It also seems that Mr. Chang is about to be rejected. I wonder who'll be the next lamb to the GNP dominated slaughter house, otherwise known as the National Assembly Special Hearing Committee.

Saturday, August 17, 2002

15th August in Korea is Independence Day; independence from Japanese rule that is. for this welcome day off I got up early to take full advantage of my free time. Although it was a slightly smoggy day I decided it was a good idea to go for a power walk. Afterall if you waited for a clear day to do some outdoor exercise in Seoul you could be waiting a long miserable time. And I am now officially in training to prepare for the 10 km run that I will participate in as part of the Apple Festival in Chung-ju this coming October. I did the 10 km run in the Seoul international marathon last year and will be aiming to better my time from "extremely slow" to "not quite as slow as last time". Since this will be only my second such race I think a PB is possible. But I digress, this is about Independence Day.

For this Independence Day, North and South Korean got together to celebrate this day. Don't quote me but I think it was Independence Day last year when the South sent some people up North which caused a bit of controversy when the Southeners were deemed to have behaved inappropriately and were a tad pro-communist. Perhaps thats why they got the Northerners to come here this time.

And of course, also on the day was the K-league All-star game at the World Cup Stadium. I joined a crowd of over 65,000 to watch this much touted match of Korea's best players from the K-league. It was a cool overcast night and the festivities started in fine form as the players were introduced to the crowd with much hype and cheering. the first half kicked off and it was a pretty good game, both sides fairly even though a little reckless in some of their plays. But then came the second half...what a whitewash. The Central team absolutely thrashed the South Team by 6:1 thanks to four goals from Sasa. Still, it was an enjoyable night out and the laser light show at the end was rather impressive to boot.

Monday, August 12, 2002

A most interesting aspect of Korean history is the turn around in social conventions that occured during the time of the Chosun dynasty (1392-1910). Prior to this period, in Silla and Koryo periods, society was well known for being open, and forward thinking. Trade between China and Japan and further afield was well established and many Korean ideas and shcolars travelled far and wide spreading Korean culture and bringing back foreign ideas. Then, during the Chosun period the Hermit Kingdom emerged. Cut off from the world, Wary and xenophobic the Koreans became well known for their harsh treatment and killings of foreign missions. Not just to foreigners but also to other members of society, such as slaves, women, and notable Korean men found being unfaithful with a married woman. Reading from Korea's Place in the Sun by Bruce Cumings this point was emphasised when he pointed out that a Korean man found cheating with another Man's wife was sentenced to death with the Criminal's Father being the executioner. That reminds me of he practice whereby the family of the victim is the one to administer punishment of death such as I've read aobut occuring in the Middle East. But the parent of the criminal....imagine having to kill your own son and how you could live your life after that. Seems that the Father's punishment for having raised an immoral son could be worse than death itself.

Saturday, August 10, 2002

I just finished reading "The Future of Success" by Robert B. Reich. This book builds on further to his ideas expounded in "The Work of Nations". The idea of segregated society disturbs me. I see that my life, in youth seemed ideal enough; I thought it offered many benefits and privleges that would furnish me with enough opportunities to succeed in life. But now I find that the world has changed so much in just a short time and that I am actually part of the majority that is finding itself increasingly distanced from those who have greater advantages to excel in the new economy. The most difficult concept to grasp is that the new division between rich and poor is no longer between "North" and "South" countries. The division is within countries. The disparity between rich and poor inside nations has put the mega-rich just a short distance to desperately poor people. So now we can see the rich and notice that they look no different to us, speak the same language, the same homestate but are a world away from us.

One thing I disagree on in the book, Mr. Reich argues that people have not lost their sense of community and points out that people, just as much, if not more are still volunteering. However, I disagree with this. Although it may be that people are volunteering more I think the motivation is from a sense of altruism. It is recognition of the new economy and that fact that volunteer work looks good on a resume, provides people with connections and valuable personal references which are becoming increasingly important in the job market.

I did however agree strongly with his obeservations on education segregation and the need to promote greater equality in education. Early childhood rearing and education opportunities are central to the future success of an individual. Inequality and segregation will increase and exacerbate social cohesion and stability unless more even chances to quality education can be provided to all kids in society regardless of social stratification based on money, race or whatever.

Friday, August 09, 2002

In by-elections held yesterday the Grand National Party (GNP) soundly thrashed the ruling Millenium Democratic Party (MDP) by winning 11 of the 13 seats and further increasing their majority in the National Assembly. The GNP holds the balance of power with 139 of the 273 seats in the National Assembly.

This news, on the back of last weeks rejection of the proposed first female Prime Minister and crushing defeat in elections held last month is a depressing news in the lead up to Presidential elections due in December. It is seeming more likely that the MDP will dissolve soon to allow for the emergence of a new party in an attempt to shake loose the bad reputation it has earned from having two of three of the President's sons indicted on corruption charges.

Presidential hopeful for the GNP, Lee Hoi-Chang is facing some controversy over alleged corruption in getting his son out of having to serve compulsory military service. Rumours have circled that part of the reason to choose the now rejected Chang Sang was to bring to the fore the disucssion of Lee's son's evasion. Chang Sang's own son had taken American citizenship presumably to avoid military service as well. While Chang Sang was rejected it now appears that the debate on Lee's own son has become open to renewed political debate which has the potential to severly damage his presidential campaign.

And in the scurry to be president the dark horse Chung Myong Joon's popularity continues to exceed that of his potential rivals.

The race is heating up and if the events so far are anything to go by we can expect a few more twists and turns to come up in the road between now and December.

Tuesday, August 06, 2002

There has been a flurry of activity of late in regards North Korea. Relations between North and South Korea, N. Korea and Japan and N. Korea and US were all experiencing lows as the reclusive state kept itself to itself. But then just as the curtain was falling of a successful World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan, North and South navies clashed in disputed territory between the North-South border. This tragic event which seemed to thrust the relations into a lower ebb than before, but oddly, news since the event has been most unexpected.

Since the incident rumours have been seeping out of nascent market reforms in the North. Although, Marcus Noland points out these efforts seem not to be an altruistic move on the part of the leaders to seek a better future for their people, but rather a means of gripping power that may be slipping through their fingers as the country sinks ever deeper into economic despair. But any steps in that direction must surely be a good sign. And to go along with such reformist steps, the North attended ASEAN, had coffee with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and is now set to resume talks with South Korea. North Korea has also announced its intention to join in the Asian Games to be held in Busan later this year. And finally, KEDO has also recently met in an effort to kickstart progress of builing some lightwater reactors in the North.

Things are progressing, it would seem on the economic, political, and cultural fronts in North Korea. While it may seem premature to be optimistic over such events, it is nonetheless promising to see so much activity occuring at one time. Perhaps if the ball gets rolling in some areas the momentum can build up to push things along so that, in the future, we may be able to witness some real, positive change for the better in North Korea. For the sake of the starving masses which lies within its borders, lets hope so.

Seoul Now has printed out some essays by expats and visitors to Seoul.

Monday, August 05, 2002

May 21st happens to be my birth date. And coincidently May 21st, 2002 is the day the Seoul Museum of History had its grand opening. This new museum to hit Seoul is truly one of the best museums I have ever frequented. In just a couple of months it has already recorded over 100,000 visitors and is well deserving of such patronage.

Located in a modern building on Shinmun-ro (신문로) the permanent exhibition is well beautifully and meticulously arranged to make maximum use of space and light. The focus, as the guide tells us, on the exhibits rather than merely to display items, is extremely well done. The use of audio, visual materials in combination with the touch corridors to sample the items and the info-bridge where you can access masses of information about the history, culture, economy, politics and traditions of Seoul in the language of your choice, make this a truly informative and entertaining museum. I could have well spent much longer than the two hours I was there.

The key highlight that deserves a special mention here is the wall display in Gallery 7 Cultural Heritage of Seoul: Science and Literature. This is a massive collage on many joined tiles which decorates the entire wall and is also the picture on the cover of the information brochure. It deserves a few minutes of your time to wander along and take in the many scenes it depicts of science and literature development in Seoul.

Currently reading:

"Hell" by Yasutaka Tsutsui