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A story so disturbingly Korean....
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Lawrence



Joined: 07 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:19 pm    Post subject: A story so disturbingly Korean.... Reply with quote

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44028-2003Dec7.html?referrer=emailarticlepg

I know there are some of you out there, like me, who relish these
odd stories that come along once in a while, that perfectly capture the
unique character of Koreans, and the twisted way they think and act.
This one , I feel, is better than the pitcher throwing at the bird, better
than the Ohno incident, or even the father who threw his computer out the window and hit the pedestrian. This story has it on several different levels....
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helly



Joined: 01 Apr 2003
Location: WORLDWIDE

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could you explain what is so "disturbingly Korean" about it?
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Butterfly



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Kuwait

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:38 pm    Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... Reply with quote

I don't see what is twisted here about the way the workers reacted, given that they are working in an extremely dangerous region, away from their families, have had two of their colleagues murdered, are seemingly paid a pitiful amount for the dangerous work they are doing and are clearly under extreme stress.

I wonder if any other nationalities / people would act any differently. My heart goes out to anyone working in that country right now, military or not, it's fuggin dangerous.
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Mr. Pink



Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:47 pm    Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... Reply with quote

Butterfly wrote:
I don't see what is twisted here about the way the workers reacted, given that they are working in an extremely dangerous region, away from their families, have had two of their colleagues murdered, are seemingly paid a pitiful amount for the dangerous work they are doing and are clearly under extreme stress.

I wonder if any other nationalities / people would act any differently. My heart goes out to anyone working in that country right now, military or not, it's fuggin dangerous.


I second this opinion. I just read that article twice looking for the "twist". Do you think Americans wouldnt kick and punch their managers if they were paid crap, lied to, not given adequate protection, and then had their buddies killed?

Those Korean workers have families to think about. I know if I was in their shoes I would be chain smoking and wanting some answers PDQ.
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Swiss James



Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Poor working conditions lead to contractors quitting.

Those crazy koreans!
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weatherman



Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The problem is that the Koreans quit so easily. Americans are taking on death daily, and nobody is running around screaming for more money and kidnaping their bosses. What is interesting, is that you have to read between the lines a bit. When you do, you see that the management didn't fallow safy regulations so it is presume at least. The workers didn't care, until something bad happened, and then all hell breaks loose. The Korean buckled, when they should held stronge because their system sucks, and left with tails between their legs. Why give contracts out to groups like these when work needs to be done. That is how I see it.
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Butterfly



Joined: 02 Mar 2003
Location: Kuwait

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Americans aren't screaming and kidnapping their bosses because most of them are in the army, that's what they do. And there are lots of people screaming back in the USA about the number of Americans being killed.

Two of their Korean coworkers were killed.

Any excuse to bash Koreans, shall we save it for when it's due? It isn't here.
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Gwangjuboy



Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

weatherman wrote:
The problem is that the Koreans quit so easily. Americans are taking on death daily, and nobody is running around screaming for more money and kidnaping their bosses.


I don't think this is unique to Koreans. I wouldn't even regard quiting as a Korean characteristic. There have been complaints by the Spanish, Japanese, and the UN over these issues. Even the Red Cross closed it's offices in Baghdad and Basra. I think that you must discriminate between the armed forces and private contractors. Further, even the US forces moan about their responsibilities in Iraq.
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Gwangjuboy



Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:43 pm    Post subject: Re: A story so disturbingly Korean.... Reply with quote

Lawrence wrote:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44028-2003Dec7.html?referrer=emailarticlepg

I know there are some of you out there, like me, who relish these
odd stories that come along once in a while, that perfectly capture the
unique character of Koreans, and the twisted way they think and act.


Odd, twisted, and unique? I think you have captured yourself perfectly.
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jaebea



Joined: 21 Sep 2003
Location: SYD

PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm with Butterfly too.

These are civilian contractors on civilian contracts. Admittedly, it's a hotspot (to say the least), but you'd presume that by working in such a place, basic commitments to security would be adhered to by your employers.

I think it was a fair resolution, but a DAMN shame that two people had to die for it.

2c.

jae.
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