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Why Korea Should Embrace Multi-Culturalism
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended on Aug. 17 that South Korea acknowledge it is now a multiethnic society and make laws against racial discrimination. UNCERD said unrealistic emphasis on and excessive pride in the ethnic homogeneity of Korea is no longer in the national interest. The recommendation was important news and marked a watershed in Korean society.
The Chosun Ilbo spoke via phone and e-mail to Anwar Kemal, the expert who served as country rapporteur for South Korea. He said Korea should avoid using racially discriminatory expressions like “pure blood” and “mixed blood.” The Pakistani diplomat was appointed to the four-year term of rapporteur this year.
- Why did UNCERD urge Korea to legislate laws against racial discrimination several times in the report?
We recognize Korea’s efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, but more is needed. We want Korea to legislate an anti-racial discrimination law in line with the UN standard. The Korean parliament should define what racial discrimination is: that is the first thing to do to eliminate discrimination against alien workers, foreign spouses of Korean people and children from multi-ethnic families. The Korean Constitution doesn’t ban racial discrimination in detail.
- How is South Korea doing compared to other countries?
Korea has achieved amazing economic growth for the past 40 years. However, it has not opened itself to foreign workers sufficiently compared to developed countries like the U.S., Germany and Britain. Among developed countries, Sweden is the country that has made the most remarkable achievement in removing racial discrimination. A female immigrant from Burundi, Nyamko Sabuni, is the minister for integration and gender equality in Sweden.
- Koreans have identified themselves with the nation for a long time. In Korea, nationalism was a means for promoting social integration and resisting foreign invasions.
I know. But now Korea is an industrialized country. It is not a weak country facing threats from foreign forces. Also, nationalism in this day and age is not based on ethnic homogeneity. Take the example of Brazil and the U.S. They are multi-racial countries. But their people are very patriotic.
- Why is it so important to avoid using discriminatory expressions like “pure blood” and “mixed blood”?
Many people find them insulting and those expressions are not scientific. A DNA research leader like Korea shouldn’t use such expressions. All people’s blood is the same.
- Is it inevitable for Korea to become a multi-racial society?
Korea has the world’s lowest birthrate. It will see its population drastically decrease 10-20 years from now. The number of money earners will decrease, and instead the number of pension recipients and retirees will increase. Korea is already suffering from a serious shortage of manual workers. The nation’s economy will be hit hard by the lack of labor forces unless it accepts immigrant workers.
- Which one is better, assimilating foreign workers for social integration or respecting their culture and accepting the coexistence of heterogeneous cultures?
All foreign workers should be encouraged to learn Korean. They also need to have an orientation about Korean culture, labor ethics and etiquette. But it is unwise to keep them from preserving their own culture. It does no harm when foreign workers preserve their culture. Rather, it can help social stability.
Source: Chosun Ilbo (11/12/2007)
Well, I just came across this article, amidst the controversial survey by Chosun that foreigners living in Korea find some Koreans to be 'rude' generally, by international standards. That's just because of some Koreans who do not understand or respect other people who are different from them.
Times are changing. Imagine, 1 million foreigners! That's quite a milestone really, for a country that prides and insists itself to be still homogenuous. Haha~
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended on Aug. 17 that South Korea acknowledge it is now a multiethnic society and make laws against racial discrimination. UNCERD said unrealistic emphasis on and excessive pride in the ethnic homogeneity of Korea is no longer in the national interest. The recommendation was important news and marked a watershed in Korean society.
The Chosun Ilbo spoke via phone and e-mail to Anwar Kemal, the expert who served as country rapporteur for South Korea. He said Korea should avoid using racially discriminatory expressions like “pure blood” and “mixed blood.” The Pakistani diplomat was appointed to the four-year term of rapporteur this year.
- Why did UNCERD urge Korea to legislate laws against racial discrimination several times in the report?
We recognize Korea’s efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, but more is needed. We want Korea to legislate an anti-racial discrimination law in line with the UN standard. The Korean parliament should define what racial discrimination is: that is the first thing to do to eliminate discrimination against alien workers, foreign spouses of Korean people and children from multi-ethnic families. The Korean Constitution doesn’t ban racial discrimination in detail.
- How is South Korea doing compared to other countries?
Korea has achieved amazing economic growth for the past 40 years. However, it has not opened itself to foreign workers sufficiently compared to developed countries like the U.S., Germany and Britain. Among developed countries, Sweden is the country that has made the most remarkable achievement in removing racial discrimination. A female immigrant from Burundi, Nyamko Sabuni, is the minister for integration and gender equality in Sweden.
- Koreans have identified themselves with the nation for a long time. In Korea, nationalism was a means for promoting social integration and resisting foreign invasions.
I know. But now Korea is an industrialized country. It is not a weak country facing threats from foreign forces. Also, nationalism in this day and age is not based on ethnic homogeneity. Take the example of Brazil and the U.S. They are multi-racial countries. But their people are very patriotic.
- Why is it so important to avoid using discriminatory expressions like “pure blood” and “mixed blood”?
Many people find them insulting and those expressions are not scientific. A DNA research leader like Korea shouldn’t use such expressions. All people’s blood is the same.
- Is it inevitable for Korea to become a multi-racial society?
Korea has the world’s lowest birthrate. It will see its population drastically decrease 10-20 years from now. The number of money earners will decrease, and instead the number of pension recipients and retirees will increase. Korea is already suffering from a serious shortage of manual workers. The nation’s economy will be hit hard by the lack of labor forces unless it accepts immigrant workers.
- Which one is better, assimilating foreign workers for social integration or respecting their culture and accepting the coexistence of heterogeneous cultures?
All foreign workers should be encouraged to learn Korean. They also need to have an orientation about Korean culture, labor ethics and etiquette. But it is unwise to keep them from preserving their own culture. It does no harm when foreign workers preserve their culture. Rather, it can help social stability.
Source: Chosun Ilbo (11/12/2007)
Well, I just came across this article, amidst the controversial survey by Chosun that foreigners living in Korea find some Koreans to be 'rude' generally, by international standards. That's just because of some Koreans who do not understand or respect other people who are different from them.
Times are changing. Imagine, 1 million foreigners! That's quite a milestone really, for a country that prides and insists itself to be still homogenuous. Haha~
- Mood:
amused
Found this article on Aso Taro, Japan's Foreign Minister who is a noted avid manga fan. I think this was from Asahi Shinbun earlier in this month.
Basically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Aso is actively promoting Japan's pop culture to the world especially anime, manga and J-music. To perform cultural diplomacy effectively, everyone needs to know their stuff well.
Hence, Mr Aso has officially requested that all diplomatic officials must familiarise themselves, by starting to "study" manga and making sure they're up-to-date about their subject matter.
BAHAHAHAH!!
I wonder if they read yaoi stuff..
- Mood:
giggly
Non-Whites Face Discrimination In English Job Market
No Rules on Race Discrimination in Schools
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
A 32-year-old American college graduate was refused a job as an English teacher in a private institute (hakwon) in Apkujong-dong, southern Seoul, last week, allegedly for her mixed race heritage.
Her resume (minus photo) was accepted on the first round but she failed her interview. She said she was told by the interviewer, ``I'm sorry but we only want to have white people. We want a native speaker that parents approve of.''
It was the fifth time that she had been turned down from private language schools as well as public schools because of her skin color.
``I was just speechless. Korean people are just afraid of skin color. What is yellow gonna do to you? What is white gonna do to you? What is black gonna do to you?'' she asked The Korea Times.
``What was even more degrading was that this person even told me that Korea is a racist country and always will be so. I shouldn't take it personal, and not feel bad because the blacks have it worse here,'' she said on condition of anonymity.
Another 34-year-old black American male college graduate encountered the same embarrassment. He had more than 10 interviews for English teacher positions in language institutes and schools, only to hear that he could not be hired because he is not white.
``I was told repeatedly by recruiters that the schools would not hire black people. It's always the same story. I'm not prejudiced but... it's the parents, it's the directors. Not only are they racist, but they lie about it and deny it, which I think is worse,'' he said, wanting to remain anonymous.
``There's a sad amount of racism all over Korea. And if you're wondering why there aren't that many black people teaching English, it's because many schools refuse to hire people with dark skins,” he said.
Despite rising demand for native English instructors, qualified non-whites face open discrimination here in the English education job market.
Many hakwon recruitment notices on Internet say that they have only white native-English teachers.
When parents and students come to hakwons for inquiry or consultations, hakwon owners deliberately seat white teachers beside their consultants at the front counters of their institutes, to show off that they have white people.
``I admit that there is a tendency that hakwons and schools tend to recruit only whites as teachers for our image. However, it's hard for us to make changes since it's the parents who prefer to have their children taught by white teachers. I know it's a shame but we can't help it,'' said the owner of an English-language institute in southern Seoul.
According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, there are no regulations that enable authorities to punish employees of schools or hakwons for discriminating against people based on skin color in employment.
An official from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said since this case is not a criminal lawsuit, the victims of such discrimination, or a third party who knows of such discrimination on behalf of the affected person, can file a complaint with the commission.
Another non-white American job seeker pointed out that Korean recruiters fail to thoroughly check educational background and qualifications of the candidates while just focusing on skin color, exposing young students to possible danger.
In fact, there have been a number of cases in which English teachers were caught involved in crimes and sex scandals.
``Just because you are white and speak some English, they think you must be good. However, if I were the parents who want my kids to be safe, instead of just checking teachers' skin colors, I would check their qualifications first to make sure they don't have any criminal records,'' she told The Korea Times.
She said making teachers' assistants sit through classes by foreign teachers would be a good way to protect children from possible danger if there is no way to check criminal records of foreign employees.
According to the Ministry of Justice, there is currently no way to trace the criminal records of foreign job seekers in Korea since their countries refuse to issue them for various reasons, including privacy and personal information protection.
Source: The Korea Times (21/1/2007)
No Rules on Race Discrimination in Schools
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
A 32-year-old American college graduate was refused a job as an English teacher in a private institute (hakwon) in Apkujong-dong, southern Seoul, last week, allegedly for her mixed race heritage.
Her resume (minus photo) was accepted on the first round but she failed her interview. She said she was told by the interviewer, ``I'm sorry but we only want to have white people. We want a native speaker that parents approve of.''
It was the fifth time that she had been turned down from private language schools as well as public schools because of her skin color.
``I was just speechless. Korean people are just afraid of skin color. What is yellow gonna do to you? What is white gonna do to you? What is black gonna do to you?'' she asked The Korea Times.
``What was even more degrading was that this person even told me that Korea is a racist country and always will be so. I shouldn't take it personal, and not feel bad because the blacks have it worse here,'' she said on condition of anonymity.
Another 34-year-old black American male college graduate encountered the same embarrassment. He had more than 10 interviews for English teacher positions in language institutes and schools, only to hear that he could not be hired because he is not white.
``I was told repeatedly by recruiters that the schools would not hire black people. It's always the same story. I'm not prejudiced but... it's the parents, it's the directors. Not only are they racist, but they lie about it and deny it, which I think is worse,'' he said, wanting to remain anonymous.
``There's a sad amount of racism all over Korea. And if you're wondering why there aren't that many black people teaching English, it's because many schools refuse to hire people with dark skins,” he said.
Despite rising demand for native English instructors, qualified non-whites face open discrimination here in the English education job market.
Many hakwon recruitment notices on Internet say that they have only white native-English teachers.
When parents and students come to hakwons for inquiry or consultations, hakwon owners deliberately seat white teachers beside their consultants at the front counters of their institutes, to show off that they have white people.
``I admit that there is a tendency that hakwons and schools tend to recruit only whites as teachers for our image. However, it's hard for us to make changes since it's the parents who prefer to have their children taught by white teachers. I know it's a shame but we can't help it,'' said the owner of an English-language institute in southern Seoul.
According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, there are no regulations that enable authorities to punish employees of schools or hakwons for discriminating against people based on skin color in employment.
An official from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said since this case is not a criminal lawsuit, the victims of such discrimination, or a third party who knows of such discrimination on behalf of the affected person, can file a complaint with the commission.
Another non-white American job seeker pointed out that Korean recruiters fail to thoroughly check educational background and qualifications of the candidates while just focusing on skin color, exposing young students to possible danger.
In fact, there have been a number of cases in which English teachers were caught involved in crimes and sex scandals.
``Just because you are white and speak some English, they think you must be good. However, if I were the parents who want my kids to be safe, instead of just checking teachers' skin colors, I would check their qualifications first to make sure they don't have any criminal records,'' she told The Korea Times.
She said making teachers' assistants sit through classes by foreign teachers would be a good way to protect children from possible danger if there is no way to check criminal records of foreign employees.
According to the Ministry of Justice, there is currently no way to trace the criminal records of foreign job seekers in Korea since their countries refuse to issue them for various reasons, including privacy and personal information protection.
Source: The Korea Times (21/1/2007)
Choson Royal Scions Crown New Korean Monarch
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Some descendants of the country's old royal family crowned a new monarch yesterday in a ceremony, although it had no state backing.
A king ruled Korea before it was deprived of its diplomatic sovereignty in 1905 and made into a Japanese colony in 1910. The imperial family was not re-instituted in 1945 when Korea was liberated from Japan's colonial rule, and the country has since remained a parliamentary democracy without a monarch.
The privately-run Imperial Family Association of ``Taehanjeguk’’ (Empire of Korea), organized in June by about a dozen descendants of the last king, held an hour-long ceremony in a hotel in downtown Seoul to have Yi Hae-won, 88, restored as the queen of South Korea.
Yi is the daughter of Prince Uichin, fifth son of King Kojong, the second last king of the Chosun Kingdom.
``We unanimously agreed that Yi deserves to be the queen as she is the eldest authentic survivor of the imperial family,’’ Yi Cho-nam, president of the association, said.
The queen will succeed as leader of the traditional Choson society as well as have authority to select her successor, he added.
``We hope to unite the royal descendants spread across the country and speak as one voice through Queen Yi.’’
The crowning ceremony is not sponsored or supported by the South Korean government in any way, Yi said.
In a nationwide poll conducted last month by a local pollster RealMeter, 54.4 percent of 460 South Koreans said they would like to see the royal house brought back to wield at least symbolic power.
Source: Korea Times (29/09/06)
Well well. That does make me think about this probable scenario once again.
Isn't Queen Yi a sweet old lady? But she looks a bit "blur". Does she even realize her newly appointed role??
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Some descendants of the country's old royal family crowned a new monarch yesterday in a ceremony, although it had no state backing.
A king ruled Korea before it was deprived of its diplomatic sovereignty in 1905 and made into a Japanese colony in 1910. The imperial family was not re-instituted in 1945 when Korea was liberated from Japan's colonial rule, and the country has since remained a parliamentary democracy without a monarch.
The privately-run Imperial Family Association of ``Taehanjeguk’’ (Empire of Korea), organized in June by about a dozen descendants of the last king, held an hour-long ceremony in a hotel in downtown Seoul to have Yi Hae-won, 88, restored as the queen of South Korea.
Yi is the daughter of Prince Uichin, fifth son of King Kojong, the second last king of the Chosun Kingdom.
``We unanimously agreed that Yi deserves to be the queen as she is the eldest authentic survivor of the imperial family,’’ Yi Cho-nam, president of the association, said.
The queen will succeed as leader of the traditional Choson society as well as have authority to select her successor, he added.
``We hope to unite the royal descendants spread across the country and speak as one voice through Queen Yi.’’
The crowning ceremony is not sponsored or supported by the South Korean government in any way, Yi said.
In a nationwide poll conducted last month by a local pollster RealMeter, 54.4 percent of 460 South Koreans said they would like to see the royal house brought back to wield at least symbolic power.
Source: Korea Times (29/09/06)
Well well. That does make me think about this probable scenario once again.
Isn't Queen Yi a sweet old lady? But she looks a bit "blur". Does she even realize her newly appointed role??
Myth of Pure-Blood Nationalism Blocks Multi-Ethnic Society
This is the fifth in a series of articles on the repercussions of rising nationalism in Korea and East Asia.
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
When Korean-born American Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Hines Ward visited South Korea in April, people’s attention to mixed-race people in the country increased enormously. Even leading officials and educators stepped up their efforts to embrace multicultural families in local communities, something rarely seen before.
However, while Koreans are fascinated by the biracial football hero, the majority of ordinary mixed-race people and migrant workers face various forms of discrimination and prejudice here.
( Read on )
Source: The Korea Times (14/08/06)
Always an issue of interest to me, this one. For my sentiment on international marriages in Korea, read here. For more about mixed blood children, read this.
This is the fifth in a series of articles on the repercussions of rising nationalism in Korea and East Asia.
By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
When Korean-born American Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Hines Ward visited South Korea in April, people’s attention to mixed-race people in the country increased enormously. Even leading officials and educators stepped up their efforts to embrace multicultural families in local communities, something rarely seen before.
However, while Koreans are fascinated by the biracial football hero, the majority of ordinary mixed-race people and migrant workers face various forms of discrimination and prejudice here.
( Read on )
Source: The Korea Times (14/08/06)
Always an issue of interest to me, this one. For my sentiment on international marriages in Korea, read here. For more about mixed blood children, read this.
[Movie Review]‘Hanbando’ makes viewers feel uneasy
by Lee Yong-sung
Everyone, as far as I know, knows that murdering is not cool. Are all films with strong antiviolence messages wonderful films then? No. It's a totally different matter.
If giving out a message is what filmmaking is all about, school teachers, pastors or even politicians could have made wonderful films. A good film, however, isn't supposed to "press" viewers to agree with its message, but rather make them "feel" it and accept it voluntarily by artfully processing the raw ideas.
In terms of this, "Hanbando (meaning Korean Peninsula)," director Kang Woo-suk's new film, is a huge disappointment, if not a disaster. Except for its almost unrealistically big cast including Ahn Sung-gi, Jo Jae-hyun, Moon Sung-geun, Cha In-pyo and Kang Su-yeon, the film doesn't provide anything that can't be found elsewhere with better quality.
The film is set in the near future, when the two Koreas are on the verge of reunification, which is scheduled to coincide with the reopening of the long-disconnected railway between Seoul and the North Korean city of Sinuiju. It is when Japan claims the ownership of the railway, based on a 100-year-old contract, which was forced by the then Japanese government against the will of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Holding the key to saving the country from another war on the peninsula is Choi Min-Jae (Jo Jae-Hyun), a patriotic, one-track-minded historian who seeks to reveal historical secrets behind the forced contract.
( King Gojong would have rolled in his grave.. maybe.. )
The movie will be released nationwide on July 13.
Source: Korea Herald (29/06/2006)
Hmm.. a negative review from a Korean Korean? That’s something new. I was just beginning to see some flame wars going on at certain forums and the movie’s not even out yet! Kang Woo-suk’s nationalistic rage and his over-the-top ambition to beat the ticket sales of Wangeui Namja seems to be appealing to some.
As Hanbando deals with a culturally sensitive issue and presents it in a futuristic war setting, it excites the warped macho culture that seems prevalent among some of the older males. These people also hope to see a macho war movie topple the sales record of Wangeui Namja, the other highly successful but controversial movie that had triggered their sense of homophobia. Personally, I think they're just insecure of their feelings toward Gonggil. Haha.
Anyway, even if Hanbando proves successful, I’m very doubtful it would ever reach the level of frenzy that surrounds Lee Jun-ik’s historical masterpiece. Cha In-pyo may be ruggedly handsome to some (to ajummas, maybe) but Lee Jun Ki is just too sexy! Definitely Hanbando lacks the visual appeal that was in Wangeui Namja, which would not encourage young (female) moviegoers to watch it, bearing in mind its plot may be too intense for some who prefer casual/pleasant/less-facts-to-digest experience at the movies. It would also never be nominated for 15 categories in the prestigious Daejong Film Festival. Wangeui Namja RULEZ! ♥
Also not forgetting the other much hyped-about upcoming movie in Korea, Bong Jun-ho’s sci-fi flick The Host (aka Goemul), which will be Kang’s tough competition. The Host centers around an ordinary family confronting a reptilian monster that emerges from the Han River *snickers* and their struggle to rescue a family member who is taken by the monster. Despite it’s rather dubious setting, this movie has the upper hand already, having received high acclaim at its Cannes premiere, is being highly anticipated in Korea and has already garnered export deals with several countries, including Malaysia. Malaysian Film Censorship Board has got a soft spot for monster and horror flicks from our good neighbors up North so it’s no surprise.
Anyhow, I’m quite keen to watch Hanbando for its politically motivated and nationalistic setting and see how the response is like. I will not bother with The Host though. I feel it’s just going to ruin my positive vibes for Han River. ~_~
by Lee Yong-sung
Everyone, as far as I know, knows that murdering is not cool. Are all films with strong antiviolence messages wonderful films then? No. It's a totally different matter.
If giving out a message is what filmmaking is all about, school teachers, pastors or even politicians could have made wonderful films. A good film, however, isn't supposed to "press" viewers to agree with its message, but rather make them "feel" it and accept it voluntarily by artfully processing the raw ideas.
In terms of this, "Hanbando (meaning Korean Peninsula)," director Kang Woo-suk's new film, is a huge disappointment, if not a disaster. Except for its almost unrealistically big cast including Ahn Sung-gi, Jo Jae-hyun, Moon Sung-geun, Cha In-pyo and Kang Su-yeon, the film doesn't provide anything that can't be found elsewhere with better quality.
The film is set in the near future, when the two Koreas are on the verge of reunification, which is scheduled to coincide with the reopening of the long-disconnected railway between Seoul and the North Korean city of Sinuiju. It is when Japan claims the ownership of the railway, based on a 100-year-old contract, which was forced by the then Japanese government against the will of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Holding the key to saving the country from another war on the peninsula is Choi Min-Jae (Jo Jae-Hyun), a patriotic, one-track-minded historian who seeks to reveal historical secrets behind the forced contract.
( King Gojong would have rolled in his grave.. maybe.. )
The movie will be released nationwide on July 13.
Source: Korea Herald (29/06/2006)
Hmm.. a negative review from a Korean Korean? That’s something new. I was just beginning to see some flame wars going on at certain forums and the movie’s not even out yet! Kang Woo-suk’s nationalistic rage and his over-the-top ambition to beat the ticket sales of Wangeui Namja seems to be appealing to some.
As Hanbando deals with a culturally sensitive issue and presents it in a futuristic war setting, it excites the warped macho culture that seems prevalent among some of the older males. These people also hope to see a macho war movie topple the sales record of Wangeui Namja, the other highly successful but controversial movie that had triggered their sense of homophobia. Personally, I think they're just insecure of their feelings toward Gonggil. Haha.
Anyway, even if Hanbando proves successful, I’m very doubtful it would ever reach the level of frenzy that surrounds Lee Jun-ik’s historical masterpiece. Cha In-pyo may be ruggedly handsome to some (to ajummas, maybe) but Lee Jun Ki is just too sexy! Definitely Hanbando lacks the visual appeal that was in Wangeui Namja, which would not encourage young (female) moviegoers to watch it, bearing in mind its plot may be too intense for some who prefer casual/pleasant/less-facts-to-digest experience at the movies. It would also never be nominated for 15 categories in the prestigious Daejong Film Festival. Wangeui Namja RULEZ! ♥
Also not forgetting the other much hyped-about upcoming movie in Korea, Bong Jun-ho’s sci-fi flick The Host (aka Goemul), which will be Kang’s tough competition. The Host centers around an ordinary family confronting a reptilian monster that emerges from the Han River *snickers* and their struggle to rescue a family member who is taken by the monster. Despite it’s rather dubious setting, this movie has the upper hand already, having received high acclaim at its Cannes premiere, is being highly anticipated in Korea and has already garnered export deals with several countries, including Malaysia. Malaysian Film Censorship Board has got a soft spot for monster and horror flicks from our good neighbors up North so it’s no surprise.
Anyhow, I’m quite keen to watch Hanbando for its politically motivated and nationalistic setting and see how the response is like. I will not bother with The Host though. I feel it’s just going to ruin my positive vibes for Han River. ~_~
Kenapa ko eja Korea ngan C? Lucunyer.. macam COCONUT aje. Haha!
(Why do you spell Korea with a C? So funny. Looks like COCONUT. Haha!)
Hello to “Lucu Gilak” (“Very Funny” in colloquial Malay), who left that comment in one of the earlier posts. HAHA, indeed. OK, here we go. I hope you’re reading this, you funny person. Although I don’t really appreciate unidentified visitors leaving random anonymous comments. Hmm.
Firstly, modern Korea within its Southern border is usually known as 한국 (Hanguk, Han Nation, 韓國, Kankoku, Han Guo), a short form of its full name of 대한민국 (Dae Han Minguk, Great Han People’s Nation, 大韓民國, Dai Kan Min Koku, Da Han Min Guo). In the North, Korea is simply known as 조선 (Choseon, Morning Calm, 朝鮮, Chousen, Cao Xian). Indeed, the North seems to have retained the original name used during the last monarchy rule of the Choseon Dynasty. In some minor ways, North Korea is still pure to its root, as it claims, compare to its southern counterpart.
Corea was an old name used before the Korean War in 1950s and even long before the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula. Corea is used widely in French and Italian spellings, whereas Korea is an English usage. Both were derived from the name of the old Koryeo kingdom that ruled before Choseon and foreigners used either one interchangeably since the 19th century. In those days, Choseon remained the popular appellation among Koreans, followed by Corea.
However, Corea is a controversial usage. Using it today equates to Korean nationalism. It is primarily used where the national pride is at stake. As can be seen during the World Cup, the words “Corea Fighting!” are well adorned on every banner and t-shirt of the Red Devils. Outside politics, it is a strong cheer word encouraging Koreans to bring forth the Korean spirit of never giving up, alongside the chants of “Dae Han Minguk!” I used “Corea” in my posts about the World Cup to reflect the enthusiasm and hope felt by Koreans and their friends alike. That would be the answer to the above question.
Shit. Stinky reminder. ;__;
So how is Corea a nationalistic name? It boils down to East Asia’s history, specifically the time of Japanese imperialism. There were, and still are, baseless accusations that the Japanese imperial government, during its occupation of Korea, had deliberately changed the C to K, so that Japan would appear first alphabetically. That was supposedly a symbolic move, as it was supposed to mean that Korea would always be below Japan. This was supposedly an act to oppress the Korean people and repress the Korean spirit.
A highly disputable claim, since its not backed by any historical proof. In fact, in the times of imperial Japan, they did not use “Japan”, an Anglicised name that was used mostly by the Western powers that Japan were at war with. The imperialists used Nippon or Dainichi, the latter being part of WW2 propaganda to create a “Greater East Asia”. It maintained the name Choseon/Corea for its colony on the peninsula. Japan had no reason to change the name just to be on top; the entire Korean peninsula was under its rule already so why worry about trifle matter as name spelling? Ridiculous if you think about it.
Anyway, this is my knowledge of the issue at best, which is not much. For a more well-researched coverage into the Corea/Korea naming issue, do check out an old (but still quite active!) post by Kushibo. It’s very comprehensive with historical data refuting the claim that Japan had any doing in changing Corea to Korea and it had great discussions in the comments.
I think this fuss over Korea’s name is a waste of time. What does it matter which spelling to use? I think the people involved should concentrate more on substantial concerns that are crucial to restoring the goodwill between Korea and its former oppressor. Then again, it’s obviously NOT their intention to mend ties, looking at the issues that keep on cropping up, but to fuel further hatred. It’s getting very depressing. I’m sure there are many Koreans out there who wish to see the issue rest and move on from it. Surely there is more to that race than their stubborn “Korean Pride”.
Also, for the gazillionth time, I wish Japan would concede to some of the requests of its former victim countries, especially those concerning compensations to comfort women and the Dokdo islets. The world, or Asia specifically, would praise such humane efforts. Bowing out gracefully is NOT about chickening out; it would be a fine show of bravery and humility hand in hand. Japan deserves that much after all these years but the actions of its current leaders are not helping the nation at large. They’re just selfish, good-for-nothing, power-hungry morons with ideologies still stuck in the 19th century. Dangit! Japan needs a new breed of leaders!!
(Why do you spell Korea with a C? So funny. Looks like COCONUT. Haha!)
Hello to “Lucu Gilak” (“Very Funny” in colloquial Malay), who left that comment in one of the earlier posts. HAHA, indeed. OK, here we go. I hope you’re reading this, you funny person. Although I don’t really appreciate unidentified visitors leaving random anonymous comments. Hmm.
Firstly, modern Korea within its Southern border is usually known as 한국 (Hanguk, Han Nation, 韓國, Kankoku, Han Guo), a short form of its full name of 대한민국 (Dae Han Minguk, Great Han People’s Nation, 大韓民國, Dai Kan Min Koku, Da Han Min Guo). In the North, Korea is simply known as 조선 (Choseon, Morning Calm, 朝鮮, Chousen, Cao Xian). Indeed, the North seems to have retained the original name used during the last monarchy rule of the Choseon Dynasty. In some minor ways, North Korea is still pure to its root, as it claims, compare to its southern counterpart.
Corea was an old name used before the Korean War in 1950s and even long before the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula. Corea is used widely in French and Italian spellings, whereas Korea is an English usage. Both were derived from the name of the old Koryeo kingdom that ruled before Choseon and foreigners used either one interchangeably since the 19th century. In those days, Choseon remained the popular appellation among Koreans, followed by Corea.
However, Corea is a controversial usage. Using it today equates to Korean nationalism. It is primarily used where the national pride is at stake. As can be seen during the World Cup, the words “Corea Fighting!” are well adorned on every banner and t-shirt of the Red Devils. Outside politics, it is a strong cheer word encouraging Koreans to bring forth the Korean spirit of never giving up, alongside the chants of “Dae Han Minguk!” I used “Corea” in my posts about the World Cup to reflect the enthusiasm and hope felt by Koreans and their friends alike. That would be the answer to the above question.
Shit. Stinky reminder. ;__;
So how is Corea a nationalistic name? It boils down to East Asia’s history, specifically the time of Japanese imperialism. There were, and still are, baseless accusations that the Japanese imperial government, during its occupation of Korea, had deliberately changed the C to K, so that Japan would appear first alphabetically. That was supposedly a symbolic move, as it was supposed to mean that Korea would always be below Japan. This was supposedly an act to oppress the Korean people and repress the Korean spirit.
A highly disputable claim, since its not backed by any historical proof. In fact, in the times of imperial Japan, they did not use “Japan”, an Anglicised name that was used mostly by the Western powers that Japan were at war with. The imperialists used Nippon or Dainichi, the latter being part of WW2 propaganda to create a “Greater East Asia”. It maintained the name Choseon/Corea for its colony on the peninsula. Japan had no reason to change the name just to be on top; the entire Korean peninsula was under its rule already so why worry about trifle matter as name spelling? Ridiculous if you think about it.
Anyway, this is my knowledge of the issue at best, which is not much. For a more well-researched coverage into the Corea/Korea naming issue, do check out an old (but still quite active!) post by Kushibo. It’s very comprehensive with historical data refuting the claim that Japan had any doing in changing Corea to Korea and it had great discussions in the comments.
I think this fuss over Korea’s name is a waste of time. What does it matter which spelling to use? I think the people involved should concentrate more on substantial concerns that are crucial to restoring the goodwill between Korea and its former oppressor. Then again, it’s obviously NOT their intention to mend ties, looking at the issues that keep on cropping up, but to fuel further hatred. It’s getting very depressing. I’m sure there are many Koreans out there who wish to see the issue rest and move on from it. Surely there is more to that race than their stubborn “Korean Pride”.
Also, for the gazillionth time, I wish Japan would concede to some of the requests of its former victim countries, especially those concerning compensations to comfort women and the Dokdo islets. The world, or Asia specifically, would praise such humane efforts. Bowing out gracefully is NOT about chickening out; it would be a fine show of bravery and humility hand in hand. Japan deserves that much after all these years but the actions of its current leaders are not helping the nation at large. They’re just selfish, good-for-nothing, power-hungry morons with ideologies still stuck in the 19th century. Dangit! Japan needs a new breed of leaders!!
- Mood:
blah - Music:Crucify My Heart - Lullacry
I'm not usually a superstitious person, but I believe if Team Corea had wore RED, THEIR USUAL COLOR, instead of white, they might have a chance against the Swiss.
When the entire nation came out in RED, cheering for the Taeguk REDS, how could you possibly took to the field in WHITE? It's like counter-productive, theory-wise. The Swiss team was wearing RED. So it was like cheering for the other side??
RED. Apparently the lucky color for Taeguk Warriors? But not utilized in their most crucial match?
Sigh.
Now there's only "What-ifs".
When the entire nation came out in RED, cheering for the Taeguk REDS, how could you possibly took to the field in WHITE? It's like counter-productive, theory-wise. The Swiss team was wearing RED. So it was like cheering for the other side??
RED. Apparently the lucky color for Taeguk Warriors? But not utilized in their most crucial match?
Sigh.
Now there's only "What-ifs".
- Mood:
gloomy
Korean xenophobia faces new challenge
By Jeffrey Robertson
Is South Korea becoming what it was called in the 19th century - the "Hermit Kingdom"? According to the international media, a climate of xenophobia has recently enveloped South Korean society that threatens to turn back the openness that was evident in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Behind the headlines, however, significant and substantial changes are occurring that may well dispel the Hermit Kingdom label once and for all.
( Times are a-changin for the Great Han People’s Nation )
Jeffrey Robertson is a political-affairs analyst focusing on Australian relations with Northeast Asia, currently residing in Canberra.
Source: Asia Times (13/06/06)
Interesting article taken from R oppa’s blog. That brings us to the following official statistics...
Foreign Residents Total 536,627
By Kim Tong-hyung
Over 500,000 foreigners, mostly from China and other Asian countries, currently live in South Korea, a government report said Wednesday.
According to a survey by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, the number of foreign residents here was estimated at 536,627 in April, accounting for about 1.1 percent of the country's total population.
( Read on )
Source: Hankook Ilbo (06/06/06)
By Jeffrey Robertson
Is South Korea becoming what it was called in the 19th century - the "Hermit Kingdom"? According to the international media, a climate of xenophobia has recently enveloped South Korean society that threatens to turn back the openness that was evident in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Behind the headlines, however, significant and substantial changes are occurring that may well dispel the Hermit Kingdom label once and for all.
( Times are a-changin for the Great Han People’s Nation )
Jeffrey Robertson is a political-affairs analyst focusing on Australian relations with Northeast Asia, currently residing in Canberra.
Source: Asia Times (13/06/06)
Interesting article taken from R oppa’s blog. That brings us to the following official statistics...
Foreign Residents Total 536,627
By Kim Tong-hyung
Over 500,000 foreigners, mostly from China and other Asian countries, currently live in South Korea, a government report said Wednesday.
According to a survey by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, the number of foreign residents here was estimated at 536,627 in April, accounting for about 1.1 percent of the country's total population.
( Read on )
Source: Hankook Ilbo (06/06/06)
Amid protests slamming a Republic of Korean news article portraying Vietnamese women as merely dying to marry Korean men, public in Vietnam is requesting for drastic measures to tackle the problem.
I read about the plight of Vietnamese and Mongolian catalogue brides with sadness. These women are seriously deluded if they think they could live happily ever after in South Korea. As one of them from the rural area believes, she could "escape poverty by marrying a man from another country", just like her relative who married a Taiwanese guy and thanks to the marriage is now "living in a new concrete house". How fucked up is that sort of desperate reasoning? These women think Korean men are good options because 1. they're Asians also, therefore could closely relate in terms of culture and 2. South Korea is a fast developed country with plenty of opportunities. Or so it seems.
The reality for these women is on the contrary. And we all know what happens to most "Kosian" children—children of Korean and other (less superior) Asian parentage-- in Korean society. Life is harsh, that's the reality.
It would make a lot of difference if both parents were highly educated. However, the people involved in this sort of hunt for Asian brides are usually farmers, manual workers or labourers, looking for women who would work equally as or harder than they do. And there are no binding law that protects these foreign brides and definitely no law that protects their future children from discrimination and ill treatment from so-called pureblood Koreans.
Unless another Hines Ward is produced, society's views of these children will remain skewed negatively. Ostracized and shunned, you hear of many who succumbed to vices and illegal trades. Thus it's a vicious circle, as these children couldn't change their fates because they weren’t given opportunities to do so. And so they continue to live in poverty, just like their parents before them but with an added stigma of being "mixed blood".
I personally know people who chase after Korean partners with similar reasoning like the Vietnamese catalogue brides. They think life would be heavenly in beautiful Korea, money comes easy, their Korean partners will treat them like kings and queens, etc etc. Only if you're lucky, only if you're really lucky. Otherwise, Koreans are just like any other race, there're rotten apples too. Not all Korean men are tender like Bae Yong Jun's character Kang Junsang in Winter Sonata. Not all Korean women are as sweet as Choi Ji Woo's Jung Yoojin. If you're looking for a potential life partner based solely on what you've seen of the Koreans on screen, then you better be ready for sore disappointment.
I'm partially blaming the Korea Wave (Hallyu) for all these light-headed notions formed in the minds of the ignorant public that worship Korean pop culture as they see it. All the successful dramas and movies that made it to this part of the world breed unrealistic ideas about Korean people and life in Korea. Also, a drama like Hanoi Bride (starring Lee Dong Wook and Kim Ok Bin) did nothing but paint a glossy picture out of the Vietnamese bride issue. No wonder it was a big hit in Vietnam! All the ladies were probably dreaming to be like Tib in the drama.
The influence of these dramas on people's mentality is very evident indeed. A gyopo Korean friend of mine recently told me about her younger brother’s situation at uni. He's apparently very popular with the Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese girls in his class. These girls are international students, and they love to rave on and on about "cute" Korean guys like RAIN *rolls eyes* and Kim Jae Won. Since my friend's brother is the only Korean in the class, he's always confronted with giggly greetings in Korean by these flirty airheads, who try to speak to him in his mother tongue. Quite of few of them hinted at wanting to marry Koreans because Korean men are romantic, right in his presence. This coming from kids barely 20 years old. Tsk.
Seriously, I think an intercultural marriage involves more than just appreciation for pop culture and superficial success. It requires a profound understanding of each culture's thoughts, actions and words, as well as deep social and historical knowledge. Of course, the most important factor is the personal understanding and communication between the couple involved. They must have the initiative to keep the relationship going, not let their differences come in between like a silent third party. They need to confront these differences and find common grounds in order to live in harmonious matrimony.
Then again, if you were a mail order bride desperately looking for way out of your impoverished state, obviously you wouldn't bother to consider all those factors mentioned above. Especially when you have plans to run away once you step foot in Korea with a valid visa, like the many that had gone M.I.A after reaching Korean shores.
To read about mixed race children in Korea, please look at previous posts here and here.
On an unrelated note, 한국에가고싶서오!! 오늘은날씨가어떻습니까? *sigh*
I read about the plight of Vietnamese and Mongolian catalogue brides with sadness. These women are seriously deluded if they think they could live happily ever after in South Korea. As one of them from the rural area believes, she could "escape poverty by marrying a man from another country", just like her relative who married a Taiwanese guy and thanks to the marriage is now "living in a new concrete house". How fucked up is that sort of desperate reasoning? These women think Korean men are good options because 1. they're Asians also, therefore could closely relate in terms of culture and 2. South Korea is a fast developed country with plenty of opportunities. Or so it seems.
The reality for these women is on the contrary. And we all know what happens to most "Kosian" children—children of Korean and other (less superior) Asian parentage-- in Korean society. Life is harsh, that's the reality.
It would make a lot of difference if both parents were highly educated. However, the people involved in this sort of hunt for Asian brides are usually farmers, manual workers or labourers, looking for women who would work equally as or harder than they do. And there are no binding law that protects these foreign brides and definitely no law that protects their future children from discrimination and ill treatment from so-called pureblood Koreans.
Unless another Hines Ward is produced, society's views of these children will remain skewed negatively. Ostracized and shunned, you hear of many who succumbed to vices and illegal trades. Thus it's a vicious circle, as these children couldn't change their fates because they weren’t given opportunities to do so. And so they continue to live in poverty, just like their parents before them but with an added stigma of being "mixed blood".
I personally know people who chase after Korean partners with similar reasoning like the Vietnamese catalogue brides. They think life would be heavenly in beautiful Korea, money comes easy, their Korean partners will treat them like kings and queens, etc etc. Only if you're lucky, only if you're really lucky. Otherwise, Koreans are just like any other race, there're rotten apples too. Not all Korean men are tender like Bae Yong Jun's character Kang Junsang in Winter Sonata. Not all Korean women are as sweet as Choi Ji Woo's Jung Yoojin. If you're looking for a potential life partner based solely on what you've seen of the Koreans on screen, then you better be ready for sore disappointment.
I'm partially blaming the Korea Wave (Hallyu) for all these light-headed notions formed in the minds of the ignorant public that worship Korean pop culture as they see it. All the successful dramas and movies that made it to this part of the world breed unrealistic ideas about Korean people and life in Korea. Also, a drama like Hanoi Bride (starring Lee Dong Wook and Kim Ok Bin) did nothing but paint a glossy picture out of the Vietnamese bride issue. No wonder it was a big hit in Vietnam! All the ladies were probably dreaming to be like Tib in the drama.
The influence of these dramas on people's mentality is very evident indeed. A gyopo Korean friend of mine recently told me about her younger brother’s situation at uni. He's apparently very popular with the Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese girls in his class. These girls are international students, and they love to rave on and on about "cute" Korean guys like RAIN *rolls eyes* and Kim Jae Won. Since my friend's brother is the only Korean in the class, he's always confronted with giggly greetings in Korean by these flirty airheads, who try to speak to him in his mother tongue. Quite of few of them hinted at wanting to marry Koreans because Korean men are romantic, right in his presence. This coming from kids barely 20 years old. Tsk.
Seriously, I think an intercultural marriage involves more than just appreciation for pop culture and superficial success. It requires a profound understanding of each culture's thoughts, actions and words, as well as deep social and historical knowledge. Of course, the most important factor is the personal understanding and communication between the couple involved. They must have the initiative to keep the relationship going, not let their differences come in between like a silent third party. They need to confront these differences and find common grounds in order to live in harmonious matrimony.
Then again, if you were a mail order bride desperately looking for way out of your impoverished state, obviously you wouldn't bother to consider all those factors mentioned above. Especially when you have plans to run away once you step foot in Korea with a valid visa, like the many that had gone M.I.A after reaching Korean shores.
To read about mixed race children in Korea, please look at previous posts here and here.
On an unrelated note, 한국에가고싶서오!! 오늘은날씨가어떻습니까? *sigh*
- Mood:
awake
Image taken from The Hankyoreh (5/4/06).
The Hankyoreh Sinmun is an independent Korean newspaper. It has been described as radical, unconventional, outspoken etc. Nevertheless, it serves good stuff that appeal to many. I love the cartoons section, because of witty caricatures like this one.
Apparently inspired by the recent hooha concerning Hines Ward and the issue of mixed blood Koreans, this is one of the finest satirical cartoons I have ever seen. The socio-political nuances are just too obvious to be ignored.
It depicts three dark-skinned children outside what is seemed to be a fortress wall. The sign that hangs above the wall says: 단일민족 (dan-il minjok, literally "pure or homogeneous race"). However, the door is open from the inside, with the people all running towards a joyful Hines Ward with open arms. "Wow!" exclaims the enthusiastic crowd, either in awe or in ignorance.
The three children obviously represent the mixed blood people of Korea, significantly those of Afro-American descent, judging from the sketches. They’re outside the fortress that holds the "pure race", meaning they’re at the fringe of Korean society. This clearly indicates the current status of mixed race Koreans. It’s noteworthy that when Koreans speak of "mixed race" with disdain, they’re actually talking about those with dark skin tones, especially Afro-American, Hispanic or Indian mix.
In the cartoon, the door of the fortress is open, as members of the “pure race” rush out to greet Hines Ward. Ward is given an almost-superstar treatment (note the open arms, video cam and paparazzi-like crowd). The crowd is oblivious of the three children by the walls.
The three children look miserable. Despite the spotlight on their fellow mixed blood brother Ward, they’re still in the shadows. Two of them look longingly to the frenzied crowd, probably wishing for the same welcoming response from their pure blood brethren. The other boy is possibly looking up at the signage of "pure race" and wishing for the same thing: acceptance into the fortress, that is, acceptance into mainstream Korean society.
The caption on the top right sums up the whole picture. 잠시성밖으로외출.. (Jam shi seong bakkeu roweo chul.., "A brief trip to the outside of the fortress walls..").
Pessimistically speaking, the current enthusiasm is going to be short-lived. It is just a momentary adventure for the "pure race" by stepping outside their comfort zone to fuss over this dark-skinned curiosity that had brought honor to Korea, albeit in an indirect way. Once the fervour is over, once Hines Ward leaves to return to the States, who knows what’s going to happen? The assumption is that the "pure race" will return to their protective closed-off walls, thus closing out on the dark-skinned children once again. The plight of these children will once again be ignored and forgotten.
I think the artist recognizes this inevitable fact, thus came up with this brilliant caricature. Because that’s just how the people are at the core. It’s really going to take more than Hines Ward to change the ingrained attitude of mainstream Korean society. They can accept him at face value by granting him citizenship and whatnot, but deep down they’re still wary of the mixed blood Koreans. And they know it.
- Mood:
contemplative
Korea to Legalize Mixed-Race Status
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The government and the ruling Uri Party Friday agreed to grant legal status to people having mixed-race backgrounds and their families, as part of measures to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against them.
The Ministry of Justice said it is reviewing a plan to give citizenship or residency status to those who marry Koreans, and to their children.
It is also considering changing the term ``mixed-blood people'' to ``people of international marriages'' in government documents, a ministry official told reporters, after a policy coordination meeting between government and governing party officials at the National Assembly in Seoul.
Both sides agreed to present to the legislature a bill aimed at preventing discrimination against ``families of international marriages.''
``Many foreigners who married Koreans have given up raising their children in South Korea as they are not allowed to be given citizenship or residency under the current law,'' a ministry spokesman said. ``The ministry will review plans to grant such legal status to (those) foreigners concerned.''
Under the contemplated bill, the government would establish nursery schools for the children of mixed parentage in the low-income bracket.
Also, universities would be required to receive a certain number of mixed-heritage students.
An online and offline counseling center would be set up to offer mixed-race people a wide range of information needed for financial assistance or employment, as well as legal assistance, the spokesman said.
Furthermore, foreign parents gaining Korean citizenship would be entitled to work for the country's immigration office, he added.
The plans will be presented to a Cabinet meeting this month for approval, officials said. The ministers of education, health and welfare, gender equality and family, and labor will attend the meeting.
As a first step, the government will conduct a survey of the mixed-race population and their sufferings in real life, the officials said.
The government move comes after American football's Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, a half-Korean, arrived in Seoul earlier this week. Ward was born in 1976 in Seoul.
The success story of Ward, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sparked a round of soul-searching about the deep prejudices against mixed-race South Koreans who suffer discrimination in their workplaces, schools and other social settings.
The nation's mixed-race population is estimated at around 35,000, including ``Kosians,'' children born to Korean men and women from Southeast Asian countries, according to a Seoul charity group, Pearl S. Buck International (PSBI), that works with mixed-race children.
Statistics show that mixed marriages account for 13.6 percent of last year's total.
The mixed-race population is expected to reach about 2 million by 2020.
Source: Hankook Ilbo (7/4/06)
I greet this piece of news with the same reaction as some folks I know..
WHOA!
Well, let's see how this goes.
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The government and the ruling Uri Party Friday agreed to grant legal status to people having mixed-race backgrounds and their families, as part of measures to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against them.
The Ministry of Justice said it is reviewing a plan to give citizenship or residency status to those who marry Koreans, and to their children.
It is also considering changing the term ``mixed-blood people'' to ``people of international marriages'' in government documents, a ministry official told reporters, after a policy coordination meeting between government and governing party officials at the National Assembly in Seoul.
Both sides agreed to present to the legislature a bill aimed at preventing discrimination against ``families of international marriages.''
``Many foreigners who married Koreans have given up raising their children in South Korea as they are not allowed to be given citizenship or residency under the current law,'' a ministry spokesman said. ``The ministry will review plans to grant such legal status to (those) foreigners concerned.''
Under the contemplated bill, the government would establish nursery schools for the children of mixed parentage in the low-income bracket.
Also, universities would be required to receive a certain number of mixed-heritage students.
An online and offline counseling center would be set up to offer mixed-race people a wide range of information needed for financial assistance or employment, as well as legal assistance, the spokesman said.
Furthermore, foreign parents gaining Korean citizenship would be entitled to work for the country's immigration office, he added.
The plans will be presented to a Cabinet meeting this month for approval, officials said. The ministers of education, health and welfare, gender equality and family, and labor will attend the meeting.
As a first step, the government will conduct a survey of the mixed-race population and their sufferings in real life, the officials said.
The government move comes after American football's Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, a half-Korean, arrived in Seoul earlier this week. Ward was born in 1976 in Seoul.
The success story of Ward, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sparked a round of soul-searching about the deep prejudices against mixed-race South Koreans who suffer discrimination in their workplaces, schools and other social settings.
The nation's mixed-race population is estimated at around 35,000, including ``Kosians,'' children born to Korean men and women from Southeast Asian countries, according to a Seoul charity group, Pearl S. Buck International (PSBI), that works with mixed-race children.
Statistics show that mixed marriages account for 13.6 percent of last year's total.
The mixed-race population is expected to reach about 2 million by 2020.
Source: Hankook Ilbo (7/4/06)
I greet this piece of news with the same reaction as some folks I know..
WHOA!
Well, let's see how this goes.
- Mood:
surprised
More on Kenkanryu by Matt over at Gust of Popular Feeling. A very comprehensive review with scans. The manga is definitely in my must-buy list! Dayum. I really want to make a trip to KL/S'pore just to shop at Kinokuniya! I wish there's one in this miserable city! Grrr.
On an unrelated note, football star's mother looks back in anger. It's going to take more than Hines Ward to change a people's age-old perception. I feel sorry for Korean children of mixed race. I can't begin to imagine the lives of those less fortunate to get out of the country. Ostracized and shunned, and some living lives out on the streets and/or in illegal trades.
Hines Ward is granted honorary citizenship in a recent emotional ceremony. This doesn't mean that Koreans are welcoming this mixed blood brother of theirs with open arms. This more likely means that they are acknowledging (and taking full credit for) a success story that is part Korean. All because of the fierce KOREAN PRIDE. As long as something represents Korea in a positive light, Koreans will embrace it with pride.
Korean psyche can be so unfathomable sometimes.
On an unrelated note, football star's mother looks back in anger. It's going to take more than Hines Ward to change a people's age-old perception. I feel sorry for Korean children of mixed race. I can't begin to imagine the lives of those less fortunate to get out of the country. Ostracized and shunned, and some living lives out on the streets and/or in illegal trades.
Hines Ward is granted honorary citizenship in a recent emotional ceremony. This doesn't mean that Koreans are welcoming this mixed blood brother of theirs with open arms. This more likely means that they are acknowledging (and taking full credit for) a success story that is part Korean. All because of the fierce KOREAN PRIDE. As long as something represents Korea in a positive light, Koreans will embrace it with pride.
Korean psyche can be so unfathomable sometimes.
- Mood: contemplative
- Music:Give My Love - Soo Ho Sung
For mixed-race children in Korea, happiness is too far away
By Shim Sun-ah (Yonhap News)
In 2000, a government human rights body recommended that three domestic crayon manufacturers change the standardized name of a crayon labelled "skin color," saying it discriminates against people from different racial backgrounds.
The manufacturers later pledged to change the name to "light orange," but the case made Koreans reflect on how unaware they were of the issue of racial discrimination.
( Read on )
Super Bowl Hero Visits Motherland
By Chung Ah-young
Korean-American footballer Hines Ward, the U.S. Super Bowl MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers, arrived in South Korea Monday on a 10-day visit, drawing strong attention to mixed-blood Koreans.
Ward was accompanied by his mother Kim Young-hee, who raised him by herself in the U.S., and two agents from the United States, during his first trip to his birthplace.
Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, he waved to Korean fans waiting there to welcome him.
( Read on )
When will the prejudice ever end? Will the success stories of a few mixed race children change the longtime skewed perception?
This is a culturally sensitive issue and will probably continue to be so for a long time to come.
R oppa, thanks, for the heads up on this.
By Shim Sun-ah (Yonhap News)
In 2000, a government human rights body recommended that three domestic crayon manufacturers change the standardized name of a crayon labelled "skin color," saying it discriminates against people from different racial backgrounds.
The manufacturers later pledged to change the name to "light orange," but the case made Koreans reflect on how unaware they were of the issue of racial discrimination.
( Read on )
Super Bowl Hero Visits Motherland
By Chung Ah-young
Korean-American footballer Hines Ward, the U.S. Super Bowl MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers, arrived in South Korea Monday on a 10-day visit, drawing strong attention to mixed-blood Koreans.
Ward was accompanied by his mother Kim Young-hee, who raised him by herself in the U.S., and two agents from the United States, during his first trip to his birthplace.
Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, he waved to Korean fans waiting there to welcome him.
( Read on )
When will the prejudice ever end? Will the success stories of a few mixed race children change the longtime skewed perception?
This is a culturally sensitive issue and will probably continue to be so for a long time to come.
R oppa, thanks, for the heads up on this.
Just going to be a bit controversial here.
The Koreans, for centuries, stress very much on “racial purity” and on preserving their ancient bloodlines. If you have Korean friends, you would have known of their infamous Korean Pride in all things Korean and that it would bear you no good to insult the stuff that they’re fiercely proud of.
Until recently, mixed heritage Koreans are ostracized and shunned by their own people, because they’re seen to be “tainted”, not of the pure lineage Koreans. However, due to the recent popularity of half-Koreans that made headlines in entertainment and sports, like Daniel Henney, Dennis O’Neil and Hines Ward, people’s opinion towards their mixed brethren began to change for the better. Or so it seems.
However, I was told that this is just a temporary reaction that will not change the centuries old prejudice. The success stories of a handful of mixed blood Koreans will not change the fate suffered (and still suffers) by the majority. Marriages with non-Koreans are still frowned upon by most, and usually these marriages can only survive outside Korea. As such, the Korean spouse will usually follow his/her foreign spouse and leave Korea for good, with the hope that their children will not be exposed to the discrimination in their old homeland. But we know racial discrimination occurs everywhere and these mixed blood children may not be excepted from it in other countries.
Now, I shall stir the pot a little.
Despite all the fuss, it should be pointed out that the Imperial Household of Korea, direct descendants of the Yi Royal House (Choseon Dynasty) has got instances of mixed heritage. Yet I don’t recall reading anything discriminatory said towards the children of former royalty? At least, there wasn’t anything that was openly criticized. There was supposedly something of a friction within the family about their half-blood relations, but nothing that was too melodramatic or had any cause for headlines. Please correct me if I’m wrong on that account.
The last Crown Prince of Korea, Prince Yi Eun, married a member of Japanese royalty, Princess Nashimoto Masako, at a time when Korea had already lost its sovereignty to the colonial power across the East Sea. Familiarity with the history of the two nations will tell that the marriage was a set-up by imperial Japan to end the royal lineage of Korea because Princess Masako was thought to be infertile. However, she managed to bore two sons, one of them Prince Gu.
Yi Gu, who passed away just sometime last year, would have been another Crown Prince, if Korea was not annexed by Japan during the years prior to WW2. He was married to a non-Korean, Julia Mallock from America who subsequently became Imperial Princess Julia Yi, but was forced to divorce her due to pressure from the other members of the Imperial Household. They were childless, but the point is, if they had remained married and had children, his first son would be Head of the Imperial Household. A candidate even far more removed from pure Korean blood compared to his father before him. Would he have been tolerated in Korean society? Would Koreans have accepted him as their ruler, if the Yi (Choseon) Dynasty were restored after the War?
Of course, all these are mere “what-ifs” on a history of a nation that’s no longer a monarchy. Imperialism in this part of the world is not welcome anymore, and the existing one of Japan is simply another old-world tradition with the Emperor acting as figurehead who has no real governing power. After liberation, Korea could have rebuilt its monarchy, a lineage of thousands years, but Rhee Syngman, the first president of Korea, banned the Imperial Household from entering the new Republic, because they posed a threat to his newly-granted authority over a nation. Who in their right mind would relinquish such power from their own hands, right?
So one of Asia’s illustrious monarchies sunk into obscurity as the nation emerges to be a strong economic hub in the region. But the end of a dynasty is not the end of the fierce Korean pride. In fact, it had made the people even more proud and protective of their identity. The stress on “blood purity” is still strong, but with widespread migration for economic and educational purposes, it’s becoming inevitable that the people will go international too, in their choice of marriage partners. Will the people’s perception change one day, as more and more non-Koreans made their ways into the lives of pureblooded Koreans? Will they begin to see half-Koreans as fellow human beings deserving to be treated like human beings, and be able to co-exist with them without the disdain and superior-than-thou attitude?
I guess these are just inane musings, but I was inspired by a conversation with someone, who shares similar blood heritage as Prince Yi Gu, having personal concerns about the future of mixed blood Koreans. It’s yet another part of the Korean culture that is of much interest to me. Korea is one of the few countries left in this world that’s still largely homogeneous in population as well as in their cultural standpoint.
OK. It’s back to reading about one of Prince Gu’s ancestors, Lady Hyegyŏng. Thoughts on Memoir of 1801 coming up soon! My reading has been too distracted by some tiresome but unavoidable crap in real life.
The Koreans, for centuries, stress very much on “racial purity” and on preserving their ancient bloodlines. If you have Korean friends, you would have known of their infamous Korean Pride in all things Korean and that it would bear you no good to insult the stuff that they’re fiercely proud of.
Until recently, mixed heritage Koreans are ostracized and shunned by their own people, because they’re seen to be “tainted”, not of the pure lineage Koreans. However, due to the recent popularity of half-Koreans that made headlines in entertainment and sports, like Daniel Henney, Dennis O’Neil and Hines Ward, people’s opinion towards their mixed brethren began to change for the better. Or so it seems.
However, I was told that this is just a temporary reaction that will not change the centuries old prejudice. The success stories of a handful of mixed blood Koreans will not change the fate suffered (and still suffers) by the majority. Marriages with non-Koreans are still frowned upon by most, and usually these marriages can only survive outside Korea. As such, the Korean spouse will usually follow his/her foreign spouse and leave Korea for good, with the hope that their children will not be exposed to the discrimination in their old homeland. But we know racial discrimination occurs everywhere and these mixed blood children may not be excepted from it in other countries.
Now, I shall stir the pot a little.
Despite all the fuss, it should be pointed out that the Imperial Household of Korea, direct descendants of the Yi Royal House (Choseon Dynasty) has got instances of mixed heritage. Yet I don’t recall reading anything discriminatory said towards the children of former royalty? At least, there wasn’t anything that was openly criticized. There was supposedly something of a friction within the family about their half-blood relations, but nothing that was too melodramatic or had any cause for headlines. Please correct me if I’m wrong on that account.
The last Crown Prince of Korea, Prince Yi Eun, married a member of Japanese royalty, Princess Nashimoto Masako, at a time when Korea had already lost its sovereignty to the colonial power across the East Sea. Familiarity with the history of the two nations will tell that the marriage was a set-up by imperial Japan to end the royal lineage of Korea because Princess Masako was thought to be infertile. However, she managed to bore two sons, one of them Prince Gu.
Yi Gu, who passed away just sometime last year, would have been another Crown Prince, if Korea was not annexed by Japan during the years prior to WW2. He was married to a non-Korean, Julia Mallock from America who subsequently became Imperial Princess Julia Yi, but was forced to divorce her due to pressure from the other members of the Imperial Household. They were childless, but the point is, if they had remained married and had children, his first son would be Head of the Imperial Household. A candidate even far more removed from pure Korean blood compared to his father before him. Would he have been tolerated in Korean society? Would Koreans have accepted him as their ruler, if the Yi (Choseon) Dynasty were restored after the War?
Of course, all these are mere “what-ifs” on a history of a nation that’s no longer a monarchy. Imperialism in this part of the world is not welcome anymore, and the existing one of Japan is simply another old-world tradition with the Emperor acting as figurehead who has no real governing power. After liberation, Korea could have rebuilt its monarchy, a lineage of thousands years, but Rhee Syngman, the first president of Korea, banned the Imperial Household from entering the new Republic, because they posed a threat to his newly-granted authority over a nation. Who in their right mind would relinquish such power from their own hands, right?
So one of Asia’s illustrious monarchies sunk into obscurity as the nation emerges to be a strong economic hub in the region. But the end of a dynasty is not the end of the fierce Korean pride. In fact, it had made the people even more proud and protective of their identity. The stress on “blood purity” is still strong, but with widespread migration for economic and educational purposes, it’s becoming inevitable that the people will go international too, in their choice of marriage partners. Will the people’s perception change one day, as more and more non-Koreans made their ways into the lives of pureblooded Koreans? Will they begin to see half-Koreans as fellow human beings deserving to be treated like human beings, and be able to co-exist with them without the disdain and superior-than-thou attitude?
I guess these are just inane musings, but I was inspired by a conversation with someone, who shares similar blood heritage as Prince Yi Gu, having personal concerns about the future of mixed blood Koreans. It’s yet another part of the Korean culture that is of much interest to me. Korea is one of the few countries left in this world that’s still largely homogeneous in population as well as in their cultural standpoint.
OK. It’s back to reading about one of Prince Gu’s ancestors, Lady Hyegyŏng. Thoughts on Memoir of 1801 coming up soon! My reading has been too distracted by some tiresome but unavoidable crap in real life.
- Mood: contemplative
- Music:Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan o - Dragon Ash
The 'undigested other': Koreans in Japan
By DAVID McNEILL
Few parents would voluntarily send a son to live in North Korea; Kongsun Yang sent all three of his. In the early 1970s, Yang waved goodbye to his young Osaka-born boys, who later married and started families in Pyongyang. Poor and unhappy, the sons survive today only thanks to support from their parents in Japan.
Banishing teenage sons behind the borders of the one of the world's most repressive countries seems like an act of cruelty, but Yang acted out of love. "He thought he was doing the best for his boys," says daughter Yonghi Yang, the only child to remain behind.
Yang's moving documentary, titled "Dear Pyongyang," shows that her father's fateful decision can only be understood in the context of the extraordinary trials endured by the Korean community in Japan.
( Read on )
Source: The Japan Times
Dear Pyongyang is one of the feature film nominees at the Sundance Festival currently held in Utah. Sounds like something that I would want to watch. The issue of Zainichi Koreans has long been a topic of cultural interest to me.
By DAVID McNEILL
Few parents would voluntarily send a son to live in North Korea; Kongsun Yang sent all three of his. In the early 1970s, Yang waved goodbye to his young Osaka-born boys, who later married and started families in Pyongyang. Poor and unhappy, the sons survive today only thanks to support from their parents in Japan.
Banishing teenage sons behind the borders of the one of the world's most repressive countries seems like an act of cruelty, but Yang acted out of love. "He thought he was doing the best for his boys," says daughter Yonghi Yang, the only child to remain behind.
Yang's moving documentary, titled "Dear Pyongyang," shows that her father's fateful decision can only be understood in the context of the extraordinary trials endured by the Korean community in Japan.
( Read on )
Source: The Japan Times
Dear Pyongyang is one of the feature film nominees at the Sundance Festival currently held in Utah. Sounds like something that I would want to watch. The issue of Zainichi Koreans has long been a topic of cultural interest to me.
Hallyu Phenomenon Faces Backlash in East Asia
The local soap opera ``My Lovely Sam-soon'' is currently airing primetime in Taiwan. The hit drama is the latest in the booming Korean wave (hallyu), following the huge success of ``Jewel in the Palace'' there last year.
However, there are signs that everything might not be so rosy for Korean dramas in Taiwan as well as the rest of East Asia. According to a Hong Kong daily last week, the Taiwanese government is considering a ban on the broadcast of foreign dramas during prime time, a measure that seems to be directed against popular Korean dramas.
( Read on )
If you have no clue to what Hallyu is, go and read the overview at the KNTO site to get a clearer picture.
The local soap opera ``My Lovely Sam-soon'' is currently airing primetime in Taiwan. The hit drama is the latest in the booming Korean wave (hallyu), following the huge success of ``Jewel in the Palace'' there last year.
However, there are signs that everything might not be so rosy for Korean dramas in Taiwan as well as the rest of East Asia. According to a Hong Kong daily last week, the Taiwanese government is considering a ban on the broadcast of foreign dramas during prime time, a measure that seems to be directed against popular Korean dramas.
( Read on )
If you have no clue to what Hallyu is, go and read the overview at the KNTO site to get a clearer picture.
I’m personally against the usage of racial slurs, deliberate or ignorant, by people who are not of the race being insulted. “chink”, “jap”, “gook”, “dothead”, etc, are common Asian-directed slurs. Someone who goes, “Chink chong chang” in front of you is not paying you a compliment, so you better wise up. It’s absolutely derogatory, unless a person of that particular race makes a joke out of it among friends (inside jokes: Gook Anarchy, Nip Tuck and Singhalot.. heheheh!).
Anyway, as far as it goes, we now have a new usage of the term “Chink”. “Chinked Out” is a new music term coined by none other than Mandarin pop musician Wang Leehom, an American-born Chinese from New York. It is a blend of Chinese traditional music and modern hip hop, a style which has seen one successful album and another due to be released on Dec 30th. Where did this unique music concept originate? To quote Leehom himself:
In this unique self-created genre, Leehom introduces music listeners to the traditional music of Chinese ethnic minorities. However, as the musician had warned, it is not just world music but a new vibe to humanity. Perhaps a musical message to the world that we “Chinks” are no longer living at the fringes of the Western societies, but instead have risen to be formidable equals..?
I’d like to think so.
Anyway, as far as it goes, we now have a new usage of the term “Chink”. “Chinked Out” is a new music term coined by none other than Mandarin pop musician Wang Leehom, an American-born Chinese from New York. It is a blend of Chinese traditional music and modern hip hop, a style which has seen one successful album and another due to be released on Dec 30th. Where did this unique music concept originate? To quote Leehom himself:
- Chinese pop music does not have a strong enough sonic identity. Instead of being purely karaoke driven, instead of covering or imitating other countries’ popular songs, we can focus on developing our own sound, drawing from the rich resources that abound in Chinese culture. Derived from the historically derogatory racial slur “chink”, used to out-down Chinese people, “chinked-out” repossesses the word, turns its negative connotations upside-down, and uses them as material to fuel the new sound of this music. The term describes an effort to create a sound that is international, and at the same time, Chinese.
In this unique self-created genre, Leehom introduces music listeners to the traditional music of Chinese ethnic minorities. However, as the musician had warned, it is not just world music but a new vibe to humanity. Perhaps a musical message to the world that we “Chinks” are no longer living at the fringes of the Western societies, but instead have risen to be formidable equals..?
I’d like to think so.
- Mood: contemplative
- Music:Beast of Honor – Melissa Auf der Maur
