Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

1. "Everything" = "nothing", because you still haven't explained what is ridiculous. It's the old "because I said so" answer parents give their kids when asked a question they really have no answer for.

2. You made a blanket statement and the way it was structured suggested that it was a common occurance that people say "I can't believe you teach children." At least that's how I read it. I said that because I was truly surprised that you teach children. It was a genuine statement of surprise. I have never known an ESL teacher wanting to teach about suicide before.

3. Again, what mandate were you given to teach about morality and the ethics of suicide?

4. I don't teach children.

5. I never said that you could not express your opinions. But you make those opinions sound like they are based in some sort of mythological factbook dug up in the mid-20th century. People deserve to be free of unproven accusations, even after death.

6. I didn't say that you are a bad teacher. I just said that I am surprised you teach English to children, given your stated preference in teaching ethics and morality when you should be teaching ESL.

[mole]

Well, having jumped into this thread on page 3, I see we're right on par as far as sticking to the topic.

My wife just read/translated the Korean news for me.
I'm kinda bummed. I always thought he was a weak president, kind of a harmless puffball. At least not blatantly corrupt.
My bro [still in Korea,] reminded me he used anti-American sentiment to get into office, and says 'he wasn't a good man.'

No hard feelings from me.
R.I.P.

[Xerxes]

Someone a little while ago said that the suicide note was typed. I was wondering if that poster had the link to that information. That takes much more precedence to this discussion:

1) The note as reported on Korean television says that he does not blame anybody (find anyone else responsible) for such an outcome.

2) It also says that he thought that the investigation was his fate (an admission of sorts that he is guilty).

I find this note extremely convenient, but if that is what it would take to keep the country from tearing itself apart in the midst of the summer (May) mass demonstration season in Korea, so be it. If 2MB is involved in the note, it is later found, it would be grounds for impeachment.

If RMH wrote the note himself, which I find highly suspicious, the guy knew the coming storm over his death and yet decided to kill himself anyway. Bizarre

[IMF crisis]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[3MB]

Whiner,

1 Suicide. What with the rather alarming rate of suicides in SK, it is absoultely ridiculous for anyone to claim that suicide is anything but a bad thing. If you are going to even suggest suicide in Korean culture is seen as an honorable way to go, you havent been paying attention to the debate here about it.

2. Roh's suicide. It is especially bad in the case of Roh because he took justice into his own hands. Not really surprising coming from the guy who had no respect for the law or constitution during his reign as president. It was always about him, and only him. He routinely spat on the fundaments of Korean law. What the suicide does is prevent the legal institution to punish him according to the law he swore to uphold. Once again Roh showed his true colors.

3. Roh's guilt. Let's say he was innocent. Why would he kill himself? If he was innocent he would fight, and come back stronger, in a position to once again influence the political scene here, having gained support and sympathy of the Korean people. He could have been the second KDJ, even stronger post-presidency. An innocent man fights. He gave up. That says it all for me.

[Beeyee]

[doublejj]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I don't believe suicide is good.

I don't believe suicide in Korean culture is good.

I don't believe Roh's death is good.

I don't believe the case is as entirely presented as that in the media.

I don't believe a person should be found guilty before his or her court date.

I don't believe that is was suicide.

I don't believe I am alone in this train of thought.

[3MB]

Who would have any reason to kill a unpopular, largely irrelevant ex-president with no influence and no hope for any influence due to a lack of any sort of popular support or a power base? The guy was relegated to living in some dirt hole in the country, had zero influence on any matters and would have most likely been found guilty of massive corruption. Hell, he was a black sheep in his own party. There is no reason to have had him killed. Theres no upside to it. Instead his death prevents him from being publically destroyed, prevents the investigation from being carried on and suddenly makes him popular again. Who do you think had him killed?

[phoneboothface]

One Korean friend thinks he was killed by his party because he had no real friends in it and his death would raise his party back up.

The opinions of other Koreans I talk about this with are too bizarre to be worth mentioning.

[Tokki1]

I am shocked and deeply saddened by his death.

I have nothing but respect for this man, who came from nothing and dedicated his life to fighting corruption via political activism.

Rest in peace.

I don't believe any of the smear campaign launched against this man. The prosecutors should be arrested.

[3MB]

[anynag]

He was murdered. Someone snapped his neck and threw his body over a cliff to make it look like a suicide. You must ask yourself why this man would commit suicide, and who would most benefit from his untimely demise.

[3MB]