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Korean Cloning Scandal Movie Examines Patriotic Instincts

 
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cmxc



Joined: 19 May 2008

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:11 pm    Post subject: Korean Cloning Scandal Movie Examines Patriotic Instincts Reply with quote

I saw this piece on the Korea Real Time blog a few days ago and it struck me as such a profound discussion of pervasive thinking in Korea, and why it takes Korea so long to actually make meaningful change.

Basically, for many Koreans, their overwhelming sense of nationalism (I often call it 'knee-jerk nationalism'), makes it the case that they would rather silence any negative depiction of Korea rather than admitting the problem so that it can be fixed and life in Korea can improve.

This movie depicts the fraud committed by Hwang Woo-suk. What's telling is that the reporters and journalists who had been given information about Hwang's fraud by members of his research team were heavily pressured to STFU and stop drawing attention to the fraud.

Quote:
Public protests were held against the network for airing a segment that was called “unpatriotic” by some and sponsors withdrew commercials from the program.

Those who expressed disapproval of MBC included then-President Roh Mu-hyun and current President Park Geun-hye, then-opposition leader.


While this movie centers on Hwang, the underlying phenomenon is so utterly pervasive here. Look at the case of American Ed Snowden, who went public with the gross behavior of the NSA spying on US citizens, putting himself at grave risk to make the public aware.

If Korea had more whistle-blowers, who were willing to make the public aware of all the corruption, bribery, fraud, embezzlement, etc, so pervasive here, Korea would be a better place and such incidents would occur much less often.

However, many Koreans think it's unpatriotic to criticize Korea, and a betrayal to be a whistle-blower.

Who is the greater patriot?
The person who blindly and unquestioningly supports anything her government does, in the name of love of country?
or
The person who criticizes her government/people for doing bad things, makes the public aware, and motivates change that benefits everyone in the end?

Korean Cloning Scandal Movie Examines Patriotic Instincts
http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/09/30/korean-cloning-scandal-movie-examines-patriotic-instincts/

When Koreans learn to be more selective with their nationalism, and more rational about turning a blind eye toward the flaws of Korea, this place will become a much better place for everyone.
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optik404



Joined: 24 Jun 2008

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cmxc, the hero Korea doesn't want or need.
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Hatcher



Joined: 05 Jan 2007

PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I worked at SNU and his office was in the next building. I actually wrote a speech for him. My take is a little different and having done research myself I could see how they all got caught up.

I read once that Woodward said if Clinton had admitted to the affair much sooner, it would have been quickly forgotten about. but he tried to sweep it under the rug. A similar situation with this guy.

When there were several people sitting around, someone - never a fellow scientist - would say, isnt it great what Sook is doing? But privately, all the other scientists at SNU knew he was a fraud. None of them would speak to him. In private, they would ask me if I read his work. I said yes and knew it was no good. Maybe the biggest item was that he had no record of research until that time.
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