Wednesday, May 28, 2003

Ho hum boring days are making the end of this month drag as if it will never end. I just finished reading White Oleander by Janet Fitch. I read it between blog posts which is why it didn't make it to the 'currently reading' section but I do recommend it (the book, I haven't seen the movie).

Tuesday, May 20, 2003

President Roh is back from his sojourn to US of A and spent May 18 commemorating the anniversary of the Kwangju Uprising. The ceremony included the awarding of the Kwangju Human Rights Award. But on his return form his trip Roh also found that students and the younger voters were not pleased with his diplomacy efforts in US since they were expected him, apparently, to support their more anti-US views in front of President Bush. In an interview with Jim Leher (spelling errors not withstanding) though he comes across as being quite politically correct, neither agreeing or disagreein too much with anything. As noted earlier on this site, agreement on their non-acceptance of North Korean nukes was as much to be hoped for. Agreement on how to handle the issue was never on the cards, and I doubt it was even discussed in much earnest. Especially given South Korea's sidelining in the last negotiations, emphasising that the path to peace is mostly between North Korea and US (and maybe China) with South Korea and Japan watching closely from behind. Solidarity and support is necessary but total agreement on action, at this stage, is not critical as resuming negotiations remains the key aim.

Academics (though not Korean specialists) have come out from the Brookings Institute citing the stupidity of recent comments to adopt containment as a policy against North Korea and to proffer a Korea peace roadmap. The roadmap peace plan expounded was similar to one I read earlier from a source that escapes my memory. Sounding good in practice it is flawed because it assumes people/nations are calm and rational and, I don't know about you, but for me, when I think Bush and/or Kim Jong-Il the words calm and rational do not enter my head. US would be too busy trying to look strong and credible to make simultaneous concenssions with the North and the North, well it remains an enigma.

Closer to home, the head of Kogas, Korea's state gas company has been brought in on bribery charges. And while it is all too true that the corruption levels in Korea are riduculously high for a country of its economic standing (below Botswana) I think that criticism needs to be tempered with encouragement as such crackdowns are becoming more frequent and the persons finding themselves charged are bigger and bigger fish. I should also note that given the crackdown on, not bribery, but unacceptable and irregular behaviour of government officials our ministry this week handed out our new guide to regulations and standards that we should adhere to with new and stricter measures than the old edition. This booklet, given to every employee in the ministry includes regulations for business meals, gifts, etc. Progress may be slow, but the fact that it is taking place is an important consideration in taking stock of Korea's corruption levels.

I got my official certificate from the Korea-Philippines marathon telling me I ran the 10km race in one hour and 43 seconds placing me 264/536 and 18/87 in my age group. Cool! My parents have gone to the DMZ today, so hopefully they have made it back alive by now. And of course tomorrow is my b'day - hoorah!

Friday, May 16, 2003

Well by most accounts it seems the summit between president's Bush and Roh has gone well. A joint declaration has been signed outlining areas of commonaliy and commitment to the US-ROK alliance. Articles like this one, this one, and this one all indicate the smooth going of the meeting and that it went better than Bush's meeting with DJ. But I agree with the sentiment, agreeing to resolving the North Korean issue, though no-one knows how is a positive step toward showing the North a more united front. A committment to the alliance to put a good front to the North is critical at this time, especially if they truly do wish to follow a peaceful solution. US on its own does not portray a credible front to the pursuance of peace but the South can give it that.

My parents arrive in Korea today for their first visit to the peninsular. I went shopping for vegetables last night to put in my fridge to give some appearance of being responsible and able to look after myself. Exciting events are planned for their visit, including the must-see DMZ and of course my birthday is next week (I've definitely decided to turn 24 this year).

Monday, May 12, 2003

For Korea wathchers this week is bound to be a treat. Roh's much anticipated visit to the US is finally underway and the speculation, news, views, and reviews are being shot out of printing presses and electronic sources everywhere. It doesn't matter if you read Newsweek, the Washington Times, the New York Times, CNN, the International Herald Tribune, or pretty much any paper you pick up. But the real fun won't start until after the Roh-Bush meeting, which I think is scheduled for tommorrow. Then we can be overloaded with reporters and experts giving us views, criticisms, praise, comments, analysis, reviews and total rubbish to our heart's content with all the fun of having to work out what is total rubbish and what isn't. Fun for the whole family!

New York Times is touting the US's new found credibility to threaten other nations into submission while the IHT gives a more pragmatic view of Roh, portraying him as a more level headed guy than other papers have been wont to do. Will they jointly decide to threaten North Korea and bully them into submission? Will they agree to scale back US forces more concretely? Will Roh and Bush agree of the peace and prosperity policy? Will they disagree over everything and decide to fight it out in the rose garden? So many options!

In other Korean news, looks like diplomatic ties between Australia and North Korea were just what the doctored ordered for North Korea. Australia's drug problem, particularly herion (in Melbourne I believe its a popular seller) was a market niche just begging for North Korean expertise. However, it seems stuffy law enforcers didn't think much of Korea's chosen business.


Friday, May 09, 2003

I've attemted to put a new Calvin picture on the page. Hope it works, it should be a picture of Stupendous Man looking his coolest in red (goes faster).

A big THANKS to all the supportive comments I got and good suggestions. I was amazed to find I had a readership larger than originally suspected.

Amidst the continuing sluggish growth in the world economy and the persistence of SARS, Morgan Stanley has downgraded Korea's economic forecast to a low 3%. This is below government estimates which are aiming just under 4%. Last year estimates were still ranging around the 5% mark which indicates how rapidly things are falling. A supplementary budget is also in the planning stage but since the government finds an excuse to do a supplementary every year that is not much concern. I don't have figures to compare at present but might consider that for the next blog...if time/interest permits. I think one of the most notable signs of the economic downturn in Korea is the talk on the street. I was chatting to some Koreans on Monday and they mentioned the economic situation and I got a sudden de ja vu of when I was in Korea in early 1997 just before the crisis hit. The tone and sentiment is almost identical.

While the microeconomic fundamentals of the Korean economy might be in better shape now than pre-crisis, the reform process in all four key sectors is not complete and still vulnerable to shocks. The fragile recovery of US economy, outbreak of SARS and particularly its effect of exports to affected countries could hit Korea hard. Still it's woes seem comparable to those of most nations and is doing better than some.

Entertainment Section
Yesterday for Buddha's b'day I went with a Korean family to see Swan Lake at the Seoul Arts Centre performed by the Korea National Ballet. It was absolutely fantastic. It was everything a ballet should be; elaborate props, fancy costumes, brilliant music - the orchestra was superb - and high flying dancers. The court jester had springs in his legs!!

Saturday, May 03, 2003

It would seem the answer to "now what?" was to firstly drink and feel very sorry for myself. Having done that, the next step is to pick myself up and start preparing to go to Stanford. *Any monetary or supportive comments welcome*. In the end it came down to asking myself what I would do and how I would feel if I abandoned the Stanford dream. The answer came out something like..."I would turn into a dumb, good for nothing, no-future, low-self-esteemed alcoholic and would feel alternatively miserable, bitter and angry. The point being, there is no plan b or second choice, or alternative way. I WILL go to Stanford...I MUST.

Last Sunday I participated in the Korea-Philippines tourism marathon. I did the 10km and was pretty happy with my time of 1 hour and some seconds. The run around the World Cup Park there is really very nice and its a great way to enjoy the spring weather over here. However, the lacklustre efforts of my friends (three out of five didn't show up) was disappointing.

In the meantime, this weekend the Lotus Lantern Festival going down on Sunday around the downtown Jong-ro area. I hear great stories about this event every year and never make it but this year, I finally organised myself to go and check it out. And Monday is Children's Day, a holiday over here for which I have not made any set plans but if the weather remains this nice rollerblading and a picnic may be the order of the day.

Currently reading:

"Hell" by Yasutaka Tsutsui