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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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thepeel
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
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 Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:37 am Post subject: |
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| So, I guess an agreement will be made, but likely not a substantive one. |
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The Hammer
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Location: Ullungdo 37.5 N, 130.9 E, altitude : 223 m
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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The Koreans just don't get it, they've been given so much for too long. I hope the U.S. just says fine, no deal but we tax your cars the same way you tax our cars. Oh and your cell phones, TVs, appliances, etc. we're going to throw a similar tax on those also.
I was going to write I can't believe the Koreans don't know how good they've got but I've been here to long to say something as stupid as that. Chaebols are evil, they stagnate small and medium businesses which are needed for the economy to grow, create and innovate. I'm not sure of the exact #'s but the small to medium businesses in the U.S. create somewhere aroudn 70% of the jobs.
Roh needs to sit down at his computer and explain to the mostly close minded nation what benefits they have been getting for so long while giving next to nothing. It's time for Koreans to wake up, will they? I highly doubt it. Funny thing is lower prices for rice, beef and cars are there for the taking but a few hundred farmers and the almighty Hyundai, Samsung, etc. stand in the way of average Mr. Kim having extra cash in his pocket. We must work for the country!!! Meanwhile the country is giving it back to them up the A..! |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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| 4 months left wrote: |
| The Koreans just don't get it, they've been given so much for too long. I hope the U.S. just says fine, no deal but we tax your cars the same way you tax our cars. Oh and your cell phones, TVs, appliances, etc. we're going to throw a similar tax on those also. |
And ofcourse they SHOULD do that. But they wont. |
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JeJuJitsu
Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Location: McDonald's
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| 4 months left wrote: |
I was going to write I can't believe the Koreans don't know how good they've got but I've been here to long to say something as stupid as that.
Roh needs to sit down at his computer and explain to the mostly close minded nation what benefits they have been getting for so long while giving next to nothing. It's time for Koreans to wake up, will they? ! |
They KNOW. They just think they are smarter/better at negotiation than we are.
The idea that we have genuinely been trying to help them and give them a head start in the brave new world is what is not understood by Koreans.
There are at least a dozen proverbs that deal with this behavior... |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| JeJuJitsu wrote: |
| 4 months left wrote: |
I was going to write I can't believe the Koreans don't know how good they've got but I've been here to long to say something as stupid as that.
Roh needs to sit down at his computer and explain to the mostly close minded nation what benefits they have been getting for so long while giving next to nothing. It's time for Koreans to wake up, will they? ! |
They KNOW. They just think they are smarter/better at negotiation than we are.
The idea that we have genuinely been trying to help them and give them a head start in the brave new world is what is not understood by Koreans.
There are at least a dozen proverbs that deal with this behavior... |
I really don't think they know how good they have it. Most Koreans think they have succeeded solely on their own and have never needed anyone's help. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Of course some Korean lit himself on fire yesterday. He was a cab driver. Wouldn't a cab driver be better off under free trade? More people coming to Seoul. More people need cab rides. |
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4 months left
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
| Of course some Korean lit himself on fire yesterday. He was a cab driver. Wouldn't a cab driver be better off under free trade? More people coming to Seoul. More people need cab rides. |
FIGHTING!!! Not a pic of the guy lighting himself on fire but perhaps a better way to protest. (for those that don't know - from World Cup 2006 Swiss loss)
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thepeel
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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The United States and South Korea successfully concluded a free trade agreement after almost 10 months of contentious negotiations, a U.S. official said Monday.
The deal, which requires legislative approval in both countries, is the biggest for the United States since the North American Free Trade Agreement signed in 1992 and ratified in 1993. It is the biggest ever for South Korea.
Steve Norton, a spokesman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, told The Associated Press that details would be provided in a briefing later.
The two countries started negotiations last June in Washington, alternating meeting sites between the two countries. Both sides strongly advocated a deal, saying it would boost trade and economic growth in the two economies.
Differences over trade in automobiles, agriculture, textiles and other issues, including the status of South Korean goods manufactured at a small enclave in North Korea, had thrown up obstacles.
In the final round of talks in Seoul, negotiators held eight days of marathon talks, sometimes going all night, to finally clinch the deal.
The two sides had exceeded self-imposed deadlines twice since Saturday and it was unclear whether they would be able to finish in time or reach an agreement at all.
The negotiators were under pressure because President George W. Bush must notify Congress that he plans to sign a trade agreement 90 days before his special Trade Promotion Authority expires July 1, meaning the agreement had to be concluded by the beginning of April.
That so-called "fast track" authority allows Congress to ratify or reject, but not modify, trade deals negotiated by the White House.
Originally, the U.S. said a deal needed to be wrapped by March 31, but on Saturday U.S. officials said the deadline was April 1 in the United States.
Officials on both sides say an agreement would boost economic ties between the two longtime allies, which already do more than $75 billion in trade a year.
But South Korean labor and farm groups have denounced the deal, saying an influx of U.S. imports would cost jobs and harm livelihoods.
A protester set himself on fire Sunday shouting "Stop the Korea-U.S. FTA" outside the hotel where negotiators were meeting. He was being treated for third-degree burns, police said.
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia and their subordinates had met since last Monday to narrow differences in contentious sectors such as autos and agriculture.
Any agreement is subject to approval by both the U.S. Congress and South Korea's National Assembly. |
Good for them. Even a small agreement, with long time lines, is better than throwing it all aside and leaving the Korean economy to the whims of the union-influenced Democrats.
This should improve non-esl employment opps in the medium-run for those of you who how are committed to staying in Korea. |
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jinju
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I can understand the farmers' position regarding the FTA. What I cannot understand are all the young people, university aged people, people in their 20s, early 30s protesting a deal that will open up the largest market in the world to the very industries that drive the SK economy, and industries that will provide them with jobs. Perhaps a handful want to be rice farmers, ok, but the rest? Korea has made a choice between the past (agriculture) and the future (tech, automobiles) and Im glad they chose the future. As much as I feel for the rice farmers, they shouldnt be blocking the growth of the SK economy that NEEDS this deal to survive in the face of Japanese and Chinese economies. Kudos to Roh, this will probably be his only real positive accomplishment in 5 years. But its a big one. Im glad they chose to flip the bird to the communist labor forces. And rule #1 still stands: let anyone setting himself on fire burn. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9e7_1175434153
Here's some video of the latest Korean torching himself, making himself a huge burden to his family, thinking it will do any good. Cast a vote, why don'tcha? |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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| jinju wrote: |
| I can understand the farmers' position regarding the FTA. What I cannot understand are all the young people, university aged people, people in their 20s, early 30s protesting a deal that will open up the largest market in the world to the very industries that drive the SK economy, and industries that will provide them with jobs. Perhaps a handful want to be rice farmers, ok, but the rest? Korea has made a choice between the past (agriculture) and the future (tech, automobiles) and Im glad they chose the future. As much as I feel for the rice farmers, they shouldnt be blocking the growth of the SK economy that NEEDS this deal to survive in the face of Japanese and Chinese economies. Kudos to Roh, this will probably be his only real positive accomplishment in 5 years. But its a big one. Im glad they chose to flip the bird to the communist labor forces. And rule #1 still stands: let anyone setting himself on fire burn. |
A rare reasoned response. I can understand a nation as land poor as Korea doesn't want to out source its food production. Rice patties make good golf courses. You don't want to lose your nation's ability to produce its own food. Unfortunately, one of the few things America can beat rings around Korea is on food production. Honda was sending too many container ships back to Japan empty because there was simply nothing it needed from America. Then it got the idea to buy land, plant it with soy, and haul the beans back. Japanese will still dump bricks over rice, but soy beans are far less politically charged.
But yeah, free trade will open huge wide doors for young, university educated Koreans looking to work for Samsung and LG. Samsung/LG are not exactly against the FTA.
But a 20something is full of national pride no matter where you go. In my early 20s, in university during the free trade negotiations between Canada and the USA, I was against it. In my 30s I certainly profited well from the agreement. |
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stevemcgarrett
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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JeJuJitsu:
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| They KNOW. They just think they are smarter/better at negotiation than we are. |
Precisely the case. And yet liberals wring their wrists saying, "Gosh, darn, we just have to make them understand our position. But if we can't, well, gee, they're a developing nation who needs our help and understanding, blah, blah, blah." But now that Pelosi, a liberal, is on board, there's hope that the rest of the monkeys in Congress finally "get it." We've allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked far too long--and not only by Koreans.
I say they should put up or shut up. Negotiate in good faith or not at all. This isn't bargaining but more delay tactics to wear us down and make us throw up our hands. Well, enough is enough.
And we should put the squeeze on Japan and China, too.
Right on the mark, jinju. Well said. |
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JeJuJitsu
Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Location: McDonald's
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:49 am Post subject: |
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| stevemcgarrett wrote: |
JeJuJitsu:
| Quote: |
| They KNOW. They just think they are smarter/better at negotiation than we are. |
Precisely the case. And yet liberals wring their wrists saying, "Gosh, darn, we just have to make them understand our position. But if we can't, well, gee, they're a developing nation who needs our help and understanding, blah, blah, blah." But now that Pelosi, a liberal, is on board, there's hope that the rest of the monkeys in Congress finally "get it." We've allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked far too long--and not only by Koreans.
I say they should put up or shut up. Negotiate in good faith or not at all. This isn't bargaining but more delay tactics to wear us down and make us throw up our hands. Well, enough is enough.
And we should put the squeeze on Japan and China, too.
Right on the mark, jinju. Well said. |
China? We give them special "favors" too? What do they need it for? They have the world's market cornered on $3 monthly wages, I thought.
Having said that, I'm studying Chinese, not Korean. |
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