"Home" - Part 1

I'm currently home in the U.S. for summer vacation. I may post a few blogs/pictures of my vacation and am thinking about creating a new blog for my 2nd year in Korea. Stay tuned for further information.

It's good to be home. I'm enjoying the fresh air, clean water, and shopping for new clothes like a teenage girl that just won the lottery.
 

I finally got to visit my sister's new full-bred puppy "Miss Purple" until she goes off to her owner. She's super-cute!

And my cat "Tasselhoff" says hello too!

Rocketman - Part 3

As I've posted before (here and here), there is a excellent website called ROKetship, where a cartoonist named Luke Martin draws up a single pane comic about living and teaching in South Korea. He does some great work, and I figure I'll post some with some explanations of these hilarious observations:

It is not uncommon to see the elderly (the poor elderly) gathering up cardboard or wood from dumpsters or picking through the trash. I see this every morning on my way to work. The materials are recycled and traded in for cash - similar to how some states have bottle and can redemption programs back in the States. It's sad that a lot of the elderly have no pensions or retirement accounts, as they grew up in a time where the country was destroyed and have little more than an elementary school education. They work very hard and scrimp and save - I give these men and women a lot of respect.

Korean are relatively conservative in nature coming from a Confucian background, and more recently embracing a very strong Christian background. It is considered uncouth for a woman to show cleavage. There is even a term that means a woman looks like a "milking cow" if she shows too much chest. Western women, tend to show more however, and Koreans may view it as being inappropriate. Korean women do show a lot of leg though, and it is considered very sexy to show off their long legs - however, in my opinion some show off too much, that in the US it would be considered looking "slutty" or inappropriate. I love this panel for pointing it out! (note: The Korean girl is saying "ya-ha-da" which means "too sexy" or "loud!"

Many students learn English simply by memorizing phrases. Many of my students ramble off simply what they know even if it makes no sense. I've had some adults do it to me as well, and I try not to laugh as they say "Hi-where-are-you-from-nice-to-meet-you-I-am-happy-to-meet-you-are-you-from-America-I-am-from-Korea-have-a-nice-day." 

One of the things that annoys me the most is the rules of walking on the streets. It seems there is no respect for the standard system of walking the same directions as in which you drive. Old ladies (adjumma's) are particularly bad when it comes to this because they are usually "pushy" by Western standards, and get to where they want to go by any means necessary! I can't explain how many times I've been cut off by some old woman strolling along, only to stop right in front of me as I almost slam into her because she's not paying any attention to others around her. 

Customer service is a high priority for Korean businesses. In this highly competitive country with franchises on every corner, building customer relations is key if you want to keep your customers happy and returning. One bad experience will trickle down the grapevine and make your company look bad. I love the customer service to a certain degree. On one hand, the salespeople can be very pushy to make the sale - and even lie to you or exaggerate their products. Other times, it is great to get a nicely packaged or gift wrapped item with extra small bonus gifts thrown in - usually free of charge. When it gets ridiculous is when you go to the big department stores and you have 3 people welcoming you to the store, 2 people directing traffic in dancing style, and one lady taking a parking ticket out of the automatic ticket machine for you. That's too much. In the cartoon, the Westerner is only buying something small but getting a huge gift basket from Skin Food as a thank you for shopping there)

 

My co-teachers usually do not say or do much in my classes anymore, as I've gotten my classroom rules pretty much down with my students and they understand my consequences. Yet, there are times when I am having a rough class and all my tiny co-teachers need to do is yell a few words and maybe threaten to hit someone and the students go silent and apologize to me. 

Now that is power!

"Shouts of the Reds"

Since South Korea is out of the World Cup with the loss to Uruguay almost few weeks ago, I finally decided to put together a video for your viewing pleasure after being inspired by EatYourKimchi's excellent work. It would be nice to have a new and very expensive Canon Rebel as they shoot in HD video!

And here is the far superior video posted by EatYourKimchi's Simon and Martina.

Yes, I chose to use the same song as it is the most relevant seeing how it was composed for the World Cup Korean fans!

"Give Peace a Chance"

 Parts taken from Boston.com

Remembering the Korean War, 60 years ago

"This Friday, June 25th, it will have been sixty years since the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. After decades of Japanese occupation, Korea was divided in two by Allied Forces at the end of World War II, with the south administered by the U.S. and the north by Soviet Russia. Deep divisions built over several years, leading to skirmishes and finally an invasion by North Korean troops on June 25th, 1950. The United Nations sent troops and support from 21 countries to support South Korea, primarily from the United States and Britain. The war lasted for three years, with large advances and retreats on both sides, and many casualties. Hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers were killed. The two Koreas are technically still at war since hostilities ended in a ceasefire, not a peace treaty in 1953. Though it is often referred to as "The Forgotten War", I hope this collection of photographs helps us to remember the events of 1950-53, those involved, and the legacy that still remains, sixty years later"

Here are some of my favorites:

Note: I've added some "after" pictures of how Korean 

has transformed so much in the last 60 years.

Then: Villages were being turned into rubble, homes decimated, 
families separated, and lives destroyed.

A U.S. Marine tank follows a line of prisoners of war down a village street. September 26, 1950. (U.S. Department of Defense/U.S. Marine Corps/S. Sgt. John Babyak, Jr.)

Now: My "village" of Sanbon on the outskirts of Seoul - full of families and prosperity.

Then:

Four LST's unload men and equipment on beach in Inchon on Sept. 15, 1950. (AP Photo)

Now: Inchon is a major international port and a main supply line to Seoul

Then: Taejon (Daejeon) was practically obliterated

General views of burned city of Taejon on Sept. 30, 1950. (AP Photo/Jim Pringle) 

Now: Daejeon is the 5th largest city in Korea and 

the center of transportation in South Korea

 

Then: Heartbreak Ridge

Trees stripped by artillery and aerial bombardment stand like match sticks in this air view of hill 931 on Oct. 22, 1950, one of the main peaks which dominated Heartbreak Ridge in Korea. The complex system of communist trenches and bunkers are visible. This hill was taken twice by U.N. forces, the last time on October 6 by elements of the 23rd U.S. Regiment and a French Battalion. (AP Photo/GS)

Now: The DMZ has stood in place for the past 60 years with minor skirmishes to remind the government's on both sides that they are still technically at war. North Korea remains a secretive and reclusive nation that is controlled by a repressive government. Food shortages are common, and the country has made little advancement besides building up it's military. South Korea has flourished into a thriving nation full of opportunities, technological advancement, and is major industrial player on the international stage.

"If you look at a picture from the sky of the Korean Peninsula at night, South Korea is filled with lights and energy and vitality and a booming economy; North Korea is dark." - Donald Rumsfeld

Today: Korea's military is ever vigilant in regards to the North. Decades of mistrust and threats combined with assassination attempts, kidnappings, and espionage have kept the country divided. However, hope still remains that some day the two Korea's can one day become one. Time can only tell, but the longer it takes, the harder it will become.

 In this photo taken on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, a South Korean Marine looks at the North Korean side as he stands guard on Baengnyeong Island, South Korea, near the border with North Korea

Please make sure you take a look at the full article at boston.com. It is filled of astounding images (some disturbing.)

"Protection"

"Are you freakin' kidding me!?!?!"

This is what I said to myself the other day upon reading the news that another young student was brutallly raped in Korea within the past few months. I previously mentioned in the News Feed about a 13 year old who was raped and murdered. You can read the story here.

As the JoongAng Daily reported on June 10th, an 8 year old elementary school girl in Seoul was abducted off school property, brought to the assailant's home and raped. Thankfully, the girl escaped, and the assailant was arrested.

Basically, the man (Kim Su-cheol) was drunk and wandered throughout the school with a box-cutter until he found his victim. He threatened to kill her with the razor and took her off school grounds to his nearby home where he raped her and fell asleep. After he dozed off, the young girl escaped and the incident was reported to police who used security camera footage to track him down. As police closed in to arrest him, he tried to cut himself in the neck with the razor. In the end, the girl needed 6 hours of surgery and is expected to be in recovery for approximately 6 months.

Awful story right? It gets worse. The man was previously convicted of raping another girl in 1987, as well as has reportedly been paying a 18 year old (Korean age) runaway for sex. She is a middle-school drop out who lived with Kim for 2 months and is pregnant. Adding more insanity to this story - Kim also lives nearby the school. (Why is this allowed? However, it is pretty rare not to live nearby a school in Seou.l)

Kim later confessed and even re-enacted the crime for police and the event was open to the media and the public. This is a practice that I don't understand. It seems to help police though, and maybe will serve to lessen his punishment. It may be for naught however, because there are cries for the death penalty - even from Kim himself who is quoted as saying "There’s a devil of lust inside of me. I deserve death for my crime."

There are many things to comment on in this story. I don't even know where to begin. For one, I have stated before that I am shocked at the lack of school rules for the safety of the students. Schools constantly have random people selling things to teachers in their offices - from insurance and teaching equipment to yogurt drinks and pantyhose. Some of these people seem to also have mental problems.

I commented to teachers before about how I was shocked that anyone could walk into a school and nobody pays them any attention. It is shocking that teachers either ignore the strangers, or even talk with them. I have been told that schools should be open to the neighborhood because schools are "for the people".

More shocking is that religious groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses hand out their propoganda to teachers AND students while discussing their faith and promoting church events. After school, one can find salespeople outside the school gates handing out flyers for hagwons (private academies), selling snacks, and promoting other events for students and parents. Also, teachers have told me that they find it annoying that salespeople come to school and bother them while they are busy, and have commented that sometimes they steal purses and laptops off teachers desks. 

Where are the restrictions?

I don't understand why the school districts do not have policies for disallowing strangers in the schools. Where are the procedures for parents, administrators, and teachers to follow in these regards? Most schools in the U.S. keep doors locked, have aides or teachers supervising students in the hallways and at recess. They have check-in and check-out procedures for parents and guardians to follow to access their child on school grounds and obtain entrance to school property.

Rules. Procedures. Laws. Bad things have happened in the past in American schools that cause alarm and led to the inception of such things. It's too bad that humans have to learn from terrible cases like these that we need to apply those aspects into our societies.

However, one must remember that Korean society is relatively kind, peaceful, respectful. Guns are pretty much outlawed, there is little gang violence, and illegal drug use is extremely low due to strict laws. Students are pretty safe inside schools from other studenst (except kids who do things like this) - Mainly, it's the weirdos outside the school that worry me.

What is Korea's reaction to this specific incident? Since there was such outrage, the government has decided to purchase even more CCTV security cameras nearby schools, parks, and other places where youth congregate. Great - more Big Brother watching your every move. CCTV, can be a good deterent to crime, but usually is only helpful AFTER a crime has been commited. What is needed at schools is policies in place to PREVENT these sorts of crimes. Most importantly it comes down to the school boards, administatrators and teachers. They are the first line of defense - the soliders in the trenches who are aware if something is wrong. From my experiences, it seems like the teachers in Korea are the ones that need to be educated - enough so that the children are safe and incidents like this can be prevented.

"Fighting!"

The 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa started the other day, and Korea could not be more abuzz with excitement.

Futbol - er, soccer... is probably the most popular sport in the world, and Korea is no exception. Personally, I, (like many Americans) are not too fond of the game. To put it bluntly, we find it pretty boring. A bunch of guys passing a ball and running around for 90 minutes does not really keep my attention for long. That, in combination with the low scoring among other aspects, tends to make me yawn slightly.

I'm not saying soccer players have no ability, they are really good athletes. For more on this, you should watch the Colbert Report's debate:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sport Report - Soccer Debate - Marc Fisher & Mark Starr
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Fox News

I was actually pretty excited to watch the game. Korea took on Greece in the first round, and was expected to win, but Korea is not ranked too high. It will be a big shocker if they win the World Cup in the end. Korea ended up dominating and defeating Greece 2-0.

I figured while in Korea, I should root for them to win, as I could care less if the USA wins due to the lack of fanatism of the sport in our country. I never paid any attention in the past - why bother now.

We wore our red shirts (Korea's team color) and headed off to our friend Minyoung's restaurant in Hongdae called "Under The Stairs" and for $25 enjoyed an "all you can eat/drink" party with a bunch of people. The food is excellent and the drinks were flowing. It was a great evening, the game was pretty exciting, and the company was wonderful.

Here's a brief recap of the game (sorry it's not in English)

대한민국! Dae-Han-Min-Gook! (Korea!)

Rock paper scissors bottle-caps. The bottles come with drinking games - I love it!

We were going to go to City Hall and watch the game, as they set up a big screen, but due to the rain, we nixed that idea as we didn't want to be sloshing around in the mud, or be trampled by the crowds.

I'm kind of happy we didn't go after I discovered that 47,000 people crammed into the plaza to see the game. 

Insane.

 

Up next: Korea vs. Argentina. Good luck Red Devils aka Taeguk Warriors!

"Suicide Is Painless"

Korean culture has a lot of quirks, but one interesting (and sad) phenomenon is it's fairly well-known high suicide rate - if not, the highest in the world.

Recently a report came out showing that "more than 14,500 South Koreans killed themselves last year, up nearly 19 percent from 2008." Sadly, the numbers have consistently been expected to increase, especially due to the bad economy.

There are many, many factors that cause this number to be high. Disregarding the mentally ill, the majority of suicides seems to be in the age group of over 60 (one-third of the total suicides from last year), and the younger generation between the ages of 15-30. As for the older population, I can only guess that it is due to the lack of social welfare programs, as the elderly in Korea have largely relied on their family members to take care of them in their old age - a trend that is disappearing as society changes. Also part of the issue: poverty, disgrace, or to deal with grave illness as not to impose the financial costs and emotional hardships on their families.  Some highly notable suicides have also been tied to politicians and business men who were involved in scandals due to corruption and bribary including: "the former President Roh Moo-hyun last year, the former secretary of Prime Minister Kim Young-chul, former Busan mayor Ahn Sang-Young who committed suicide while in prison, Park Tae-young, former governor of Jeolla province, and Chung Mong-hun, a former Hyundai executive."

 

For the younger generation, there is a lot of pressures to get into good schools, get perfect grades, get high paying jobs, and fulfill your families wishes without question. A volatile combination on teens and young adults who succumb under the pressures and are generally unhappy when they aren't living their lives the way they want to out of fear of being disowned by their family. After graduating from university, many students find it difficult to find jobs and suffer with the high costs of living in Seoul. That, mixed with the parental pressures to be married and start raising a family add to the feelings of a lack of accomplishment, and depression upon the over-reaction that they will never be happy and successful.

Suicide has also gained a cult following as many famous Koreans have taken their lives. "including the millionaire Samsung heiress Lee Yoon-hyung, the Korean pop singer U;Nee, and the actors Ahn Jae-hwan, Jung Da Bin, Lee Eun-ju, Jang Ja-yeon, Choi Jin-shil and Kim Ji-hoo."

Kim-Ji-Hoo stands out especially, because he was one of the few openly gay actors in Korea. In a very conservative culture where being gay carries a largely negative stigmata, this made his career and life more difficult.

Also, when a star commit suicides, there are copy-cat suicides by their fans. When the super star actress, Choi Jin-si, also known as "The Nation's Actress" committed suicide in 2008, her fans took her death as if their sister, daughter, or best friend had died. A handful of her followers felt that they too had died and hit the web sharing suicide tips. Notably, Choi Jin-sil's brother, Choi Jin-young, was found dead of an apparent suicide on March 29, 2010, as well.

The methods of suicide are also less violent than the United States, largely due to the strict gun control laws. (Very few people own firearms, and those that do usually have hunting rifles or shotguns which are almost impossible to get licenses for.) Therefore, most suicides are done via hanging, jumping off buildings or cliffs (see President Roh Moo-hyun), medication overdoses, or other forms of suffocation - such as lighting charcoal briquettes in an unventilated room or car as in a recent group suicide pact in Hwaseong. (another case of people using websites to aid them in taking their own life).

Suicide is basically an epidemic in South Korea with no cure. Lawmakers have not done much to try and curb the rising rates, but it seems that someone is taking it seriously, as I recently saw a commercial for a hot-line if you are depressed and thinking about committing suicide. More needs to be done however, as it is a growing problem that needs to be seriously addressed.