davidsmeaton.com

an interesting post on brave new traveler discussed the ongoing beef protests in korea. the focus of the article was about ’staying safe’ during the protests.

although i agree that the protests should be avoided, i don’t think they’re particularly dangerous … the violence didn’t really have enough energy to last for too long and it was mostly late at night, after all the families, church goers and peaceful protestors had left. the article, though, was an interesting read about the author’s experience being at the protests.

i decided to write a response, which in my usual fashion of ranting became quite lengthy. i will reproduce it here:

As a resident of Korea for 6 years, I’ve seen all the highs and lows that this country has to offer. On one side, they’re so passionate about sport and their local heros. It’s almost blasphemy to speak ill of Korea’s iconic soccer team. On the other side, constant sabre rattling and skirmishes with the ’skittish’ neighbours to the north creates a lot of tension and hostility.

But people are reluctant to consider the history behind Korea’s sudden rise. This little piece of land, isolated on a small peninsula, has been the focus of Chinese and Japanese domination. In more recent history, the cold war divided the nation. Koreans, more so than many countries, have a healthy distrust of foreigners. Many foreign veterans in Korea are very bitter about this. Indeed, it’s often quite difficult to live in Korea, since the government begrugingly gives rights or privilege to foreigners, for fear that such power will be abused, like it has so often in the past.

However, the beef issue is something different altogether. The catalyst for the protests was the decision to import American beef, which would expose Koreans to the risk of Mad Cows Disease (ignore the fact that MCD cases number in their 10s and there is a virtually zero percent chance the disease would affect anyone in Korea). But it’s not beef that Koreans are angry about. On the surface, this is the issue, but under the surface the issue is much bigger.

The real issue is presidential incompetence. The current president, Lee Myong Bak, was elected on sweeping promises of economic reform (a promised economic increase of 7%) and numerous other impossible promises. Korea’s lowest voter turnout of 46% was enough for Lee to gain power. Immediately, he announced that his economic reforms would be impossible. All of his other promises have either been abandoned (the Grand Canal Project) or delayed/modified (the immersion English education program).

His cabinet has been changed twice already (he came to power in January) and numerous high level ministers have been sacked for their their roles in real estate speculation scandals and other unethical endeavours.

In fact, Lee himself might be in prison now, had he not won the election, due to his own involvement in shady business practices. Although he denied involvement, video evidence revealed he was directly involved. Lee’s “Blue House” staff are also the richest group of people to ever lead the country. His staff of ministers (including Lee himself) are worth at least 3 million dollars each (on average). This itself has been a source of constant criticism, since his staff of wealthy elites support big business and are out of touch with common Koreans.

Lee gained power by blinding Koreans with the promise of money, via economic success. The current economic slump, along with his decision to constantly ignore the calls of the people who protest outside the Blue House, have resulted in growing discontent towards the country’s leaders.

Returning to the protests, although American beef is the guise for protests, the true motive is Korean people’s complete dissatisfaction with the direction their country is taking, and the leadership of their government.

Beef was just a convenient excuse.

Technically, it should be easy for foreigners to stay safe during these ongoing protests. Mostly because it’s illegal for foreigners to participate in political protests. Partly because, now, the Christian churches have started to get involved, turning much of the violence to peaceful resistance.

As a photographer, I’ve been tempted to document the protests, but I don’t want to be targeted by crowds or mobs of people looking for a foreign face upon whom to focus their anger. A few friends have gone along and they’ve not reported any problems.

However, it’s more likely that a foreigner who is perceived to be participating, risks being deported. Whilst that may sound like nothing more than a threat, Korea did deport Chinese students who became violent during the Olympic torch relay in Seoul. The Korean government’s decision to deport the Chinese students was a brave one, considering China’s dominance of the region and Korea’s reluctance to offend it’s bigger neighbour (for fear of economic reprisals).

None the less, Koreans are living in interesting times. Since I teach adults for a living, we have some amazing conversations about these very issues and the direction their country is taking.

Dae Han Min Gook!

David Smeaton

i found this great lecture by sir ken robinson. he talks about schools and education, whether the current education system kills creativity. it’s really interesting and he’s quite funny. there are a lot of useful and valuable points made … as a drama teacher, i completely agree with much of what he says.

i’m really looking forward to weekends … it’s the only thing keeping me going at the moment.

last week was busy, but fairly productive. i banked a full month’s salary and there’s another salary and $760 in extra teaching to come. i’ve picked up a 4 hour lecture at a training institute which will be fun. last night i went out with some students. we drank sake and kiwi soju. we talked and laughed, then headed to a singing room. it was really funny to watch everyone sing and dance. i didn’t get home until 2am, which is all good cause i slept until nearly 1pm! lol

i got in contact with a cricket club in korea. they practice most saturday afternoons and play most sundays. so next weekend i plan on heading out and roll the arm over in the practice nets. i might see if i can get a couple of games … ought to be fun.

today i’ll probably stick close to home. i might head to the pc room and play warrock for a while. it’s more fun to play at the pc rooms (so i’ve discovered). tomorrow i’m meeting a friend from the hanbok fashion show. we’re having lunch together and i’ll give her the cd of images from the event.

aside from that, nothing much is planned … clean my micro apartment, chat to senor culo, shoot koreans, sleep, count down the days.

the last week has been horribly stressful for me … however, despite not really having a suitable solution, a few things have happened to make me a bit happier and feeling less stressed. last week my university boss told me i wasn’t being renewed. our relationship was already fragile, so it didn’t take much to stoke the fire of animosity this time. we had a few run-ins by email regarding my position and her decisions as my boss. none of the problems were really resolved though, so i started preparing myself for the inevitable job hunt.

however, today i had the chance to sit down with my boss and we sorted out a number of problems. one was a misunderstanding we both had … about the cause for the animosity. we talked it through and came to the conclusion that the anger towards each other wasn’t really necessary. actually, my boss admitted that they’d like me to stay, but because i work two jobs, the university isn’t satisfied and wants me to commit to a single employer. i said i wasn’t prepared to do that and we are going to amicably part company.

so the situation is that i’m still looking for a new job, however my boss has acknowledged that i’m a good teacher and she’s going to give me a glowing reference to help me find other employment. in return, i’m going to do the right thing and teach my classes without causing unnecessary trouble. i know i have a bit of a bad temper and a reputation for burning bridges … and i thought this job might go the same way … however, diplomacy has prevailed and everything is sorted out nicely.

ironically, i also went for a bit of a job interview today. it’s not an ideal job but it’s a start … the job is split shift (mornings/nights) teaching adults in an adult hogwan. actually, it’s a ybm franchise. the money is good and the hours are fine (since i have my afternoon job anyway), but i’m not satisfied with the location or the fact that there’s no housing.

unless things go horribly wrong, i’ll reject the job and keep looking …