|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Does Korean politics have any relevance to our lives in Korea? |
| Yes |
|
62% |
[ 17 ] |
| No |
|
14% |
[ 4 ] |
| Slightly |
|
22% |
[ 6 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 27 |
|
| Author |
Message |
kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: Do English teachers in Korea care about Korean politics? |
 |
|
The results of the election are pretty depressing. It seems that the political indifference and self-centredness of Korean youth has a lot to do with the low voter turnout (only 46%), the result being that conservative politicians have strengthened their control of the National Assembly.
Undoubtedly this thread will also get consigned to the Current Events graveyard as we are only allowed to discuss toothpaste, hot Korean chicks and bigfoot sightings in the General Discussion forum.
But before Blue Bus Boy comes along and removes this thread I'd just like to ask if, as an English teacher working and living in Korea, your attitude towards Korean society or your length of stay in Korea be at all affected by the election results and by Korean politics in general?
For the majority I'm sure it has no relevance, but for me - a person who wants to show at least a basic level of interest in and respect for my host country, the results of this election will only make me more jaded about life in Korea, and more contemptuous of mainstream society and politics here.
I must admit that, like the bulk of foreign teachers here, I'm in Korea for the money. But to think of only the cash seems like a pretty cynical way to live your life here. I've tried to get involved in the green movement while living in Korea and in the process I've met some very smart, liberal and progressive Koreans.
But this election result just has me thinking that Korea is a lost cause, a country full of self-centred, materialistic and narrow-minded sheep. Maybe I should just concentrate on the money and wash my hands of Korean society.
Last edited by kiwiduncan on Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:23 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As someone who has lived here for hald a dozen years, and plans to live here for may more, I am quite happy with the results of this election.
It will mean:
-My tax dollars will only go to the North if they reciprocate.
-Less bickering from the opposition (they've been trounced).
-Chung Dong Young got his arse handed to him and will stay out of politics for a while.
-I'll be able to take lovely boat rides through the peninsula 
BTW OP, I think you might be missing the mark on why the voter turnout was what it was. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My boss said voter turnout was also low due to the rain. 
And about that canal, aside from all the economic, environmental and water quality reasons for opposing the canal, doesn't LMB realise that the canal would provide a direct invasion route from North Korea right down to Busan?
The Norks will be harrassing the bikini girls at Haeundae in no time, with no viscious man-eating west coast jellyfish to get in the way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Wait a second, having an opposition is a bad thing? Why? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Wait a second, having an opposition is a bad thing? Why? |
Why? Well, let's be clear about something, NO WHERE did I say that having an opposition would be a bad thing. Racetraitor, for some odd reason you seem to like to try to pin dictatorial statements to me - do us both a favor and stop it. You did it before with president Park, and you're doing it again. If you take exception to what I write - fine. But don't try to extrapolate on a statement of mine. You don't know what I'm thinking, so don't even try to guess. If you want to know how I feel about something specific, just ask. You can do so here, in a PM, or in person.
As for why I do not like the opposition and would like to hear "less bickering" from them, it's because they often do not have the nation's interest at heart, but instead are tring to further their own political goals/agendas (much like in other countries). Chung Dong Young is a fine example of the Left IMO.
I think that's pretty easy to understand - you ok with that Racetraitor? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject: Politics |
|
|
I keep apprised of the politics going on in the country and do my best to discuss the issues with my wife before she goes to vote. We discuss it because she wants to try and make the best decision when she votes, and not just going in blind to make a selection based on who is winning the political gesturing game.
I am not on the F5 long enough to vote in local elections, but next time around I will be giving serious thought to who is running in our local area. There were many divided issues for this congressional election, so it will remain to be seen what the overall effects will be for a short time. Hopefully the people going into office will follow through with some of the promises my wife indicated she knew about going in to this election.
I personally think it is important if you have a serious connection to Korea as a permanent resident and want to see some positive changes taking place, to keep up with the politics of the nation. Change happens much more dramatically here simply because they haven't caught onto the party system that can often muddy the waters for the general public. Especially when all parties have their own agenda that can be bent to look like the other party's platform.
Last edited by tob55 on Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
endo
Joined: 14 Mar 2004
Location: Seoul...my home
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Wait a second, having an opposition is a bad thing? Why? |
Why? Well, let's be clear about something, NO WHERE did I say that having an opposition would be a bad thing. Racetraitor, for some odd reason you seem to like to try to pin dictatorial statements to me - do us both a favor and stop it. You did it before with president Park, and you're doing it again. If you take exception to what I write - fine. But don't try to extrapolate on a statement of mine. You don't know what I'm thinking, so don't even try to guess. If you want to know how I feel about something specific, just ask. You can do so here, in a PM, or in person.
As for why I do not like the opposition and would like to hear "less bickering" from them, it's because they often do not have the nation's interest at heart, but instead are tring to further their own political goals/agendas (much like in other countries). Chung Dong Young is a fine example of the Left IMO.
I think that's pretty easy to understand - you ok with that Racetraitor? |
| Quote: |
| -Less bickering from the opposition (they've been trounced). |
Go to Daegu with the rest of your facist, conservative, dictator crowd.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mrsquirrel
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| No |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Wait a second, having an opposition is a bad thing? Why? |
Why? Well, let's be clear about something, NO WHERE did I say that having an opposition would be a bad thing. Racetraitor, for some odd reason you seem to like to try to pin dictatorial statements to me - do us both a favor and stop it. You did it before with president Park, and you're doing it again. If you take exception to what I write - fine. But don't try to extrapolate on a statement of mine. You don't know what I'm thinking, so don't even try to guess. If you want to know how I feel about something specific, just ask. You can do so here, in a PM, or in person.
As for why I do not like the opposition and would like to hear "less bickering" from them, it's because they often do not have the nation's interest at heart, but instead are tring to further their own political goals/agendas (much like in other countries). Chung Dong Young is a fine example of the Left IMO.
I think that's pretty easy to understand - you ok with that Racetraitor? |
It's really not hard to interpret your comment "less bickering from the opposition" to mean "less opposition."
In every country, though probably this one more than others, a strong opposition to the government saves lives, even if they do it by bickering and gumming up the efficiency of the process. No one political party can have the best interests of everyone in mind.
Yes, I do think you are a fascist, but rest assured, I have many friends who are self-declared fascists, national socialists, and fundamentalists. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| RACETRAITOR wrote: |
| Wait a second, having an opposition is a bad thing? Why? |
Why? Well, let's be clear about something, NO WHERE did I say that having an opposition would be a bad thing. Racetraitor, for some odd reason you seem to like to try to pin dictatorial statements to me - do us both a favor and stop it. You did it before with president Park, and you're doing it again. If you take exception to what I write - fine. But don't try to extrapolate on a statement of mine. You don't know what I'm thinking, so don't even try to guess. If you want to know how I feel about something specific, just ask. You can do so here, in a PM, or in person.
As for why I do not like the opposition and would like to hear "less bickering" from them, it's because they often do not have the nation's interest at heart, but instead are tring to further their own political goals/agendas (much like in other countries). Chung Dong Young is a fine example of the Left IMO.
I think that's pretty easy to understand - you ok with that Racetraitor? |
It's really not hard to interpret your comment "less bickering from the opposition" to mean "less opposition."
In every country, though probably this one more than others, a strong opposition to the government saves lives, even if they do it by bickering and gumming up the efficiency of the process. No one political party can have the best interests of everyone in mind.
Yes, I do think you are a fascist, but rest assured, I have many friends who are self-declared fascists, national socialists, and fundamentalists. |
Well now, we're getting into name calling eh?
Like I said man, if you want to know how I feel about something specific, man up and ask me (I'll shoot ya a PM so you can do it in person). But if you're going to continue to infer, extrapolate, assume, or interpret everything I say to your own agenda, then expect me to call you on your BS every step of the way.
Why not simply take what I write for what it is? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: So is Clear on meaning |
|
|
I don't want to interfere in the discussion between the people discussing their views, but I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page with regard to the definitions:
Fascist - a person who is dictatorial or has extreme right-wing views.
National Socialist - a person who adopts and adheres to he principles and practices of the Nazi party in Germany.
Fundamentalist - a person who strictly adheres to any set of basic ideas or principles; commonly those who hold core values regarding Christianity and the infallibility of the Bible.
Now, that we have that clear for everyone, I will step aside once again.
BTW - Definitions from www.dictionary.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Captain Corea wrote: |
As someone who has lived here for hald a dozen years, and plans to live here for may more, I am quite happy with the results of this election.
It will mean:
-My tax dollars will only go to the North if they reciprocate.
-Less bickering from the opposition (they've been trounced).
-Chung Dong Young got his arse handed to him and will stay out of politics for a while.
-I'll be able to take lovely boat rides through the peninsula
BTW OP, I think you might be missing the mark on why the voter turnout was what it was. |
I prefer the Conservatives, because the Left has done little to help us foreigners, and the Conservatives are more open to foreigners, and North Korea has a bad human rights record. They've been given a lot of room to reciprocate, and they need to show they're sincere. I don't agree with the canal project. It doesn't seem environmentally sound. Back to the North, I don't believe in a very hard-line approach. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nicholas_chiasson
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Location: Samcheok
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| happy. Let's all show NK it is time to behave and stop blackmailing the world. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: So is Clear on meaning |
|
|
| tob55 wrote: |
I don't want to interfere in the discussion between the people discussing their views, but I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page with regard to the definitions:
Fascist - a person who is dictatorial or has extreme right-wing views.
National Socialist - a person who adopts and adheres to he principles and practices of the Nazi party in Germany.
Fundamentalist - a person who strictly adheres to any set of basic ideas or principles; commonly those who hold core values regarding Christianity and the infallibility of the Bible.
Now, that we have that clear for everyone, I will step aside once again.
BTW - Definitions from www.dictionary.com |
Yes, I know people from all three of those categories both in this country and around the world. Many of them belong to two categories, and some are in all three. Also, a National Socialist isn't necessarily patriotic to Germany. The same principles of the Nazi party can be almost as easily applied to the US or Korea (although some terms such as "Master Race" would have to be redefined [I think it's ridiculous too and generally bash them about that]). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I told everyone no2 looked a slimy little fucker and I would rather flame my own torso under the grill than vote for such a slimy, untrustwothy looking individual but when I would go into work there were the 13 posters of the candidates and they all looked the bloody same! Serpent like and untrustworthy.
I was in the deep south so no2 was the king!  I only laughed as the plane took off from Incheon!
PS: I do however think South Korea would be a more civilised place if they could have canal boating holidays in their own country! You can't beat a cruise down the canal!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
