Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tfunk]

In my opinion, the reason that Dokdo has become so popular with Koreans is that it represents an idealized abstraction of Korea. A peaceful island threatened by a militaristic Japan. The answer to the question 'do you know Korea?' might just be as informative to New Yorkers as 'do you know Dokdo?' given the international profile of Korea.

However the question, 'do you know Korea?' is difficult to control, because it invites a critical analysis of the country with its vast culture, history, and social traditions and some of these answers might be less than flattering. The question, 'do you know Dokdo?' is a safe way of exporting the Korean paradise fantasy because there is little to criticize about Dokdo (little historical knowledge and, until recently, no people).

The question 'do you know Dokdo?' is not asked because Koreans want to improve your geographical knowledge. If your students ask you 'Do you know Dokdo?' then ask them 'Do you know Ireland?'. Tell them it's a beautiful rock, if beautiful rocks are their apparent interest. I worked in a school here for a year. Whenever my co-workers referred to my nationality, it was as English and I lived in England according to them (despite the fact that I made the distinction clear).

My students have a poor knowledge or interest on Japanese colonial occupation, but are quick to tell me that Dokdo is not Japanese. It seems that their education and interest in their own country is superficial and is based upon the same emotional rapport that one might have for a soccer team (a Korean girl being dragged along the ground by her hair will meet less emotional reaction than a Korean home-run, unless the perpetrator can't be described with the inscrutable adjective 'Korean'). A superficial knowledge and interest in the young isn't uncommon, however I find it distasteful than an educational system provides such a narrow focused emphasis, and one that supports hate for another country.

Dokdo is an export of the nationalistic fantasy that Korea is Right, Perfect, Un-criticizable. Korea is right. Japan is wrong. You only have to prove one to imply the other. Korea's identity is drawn from the artistic equivalent of negative space; by highlighting the wrongs, injustices of other cultures we can accentuate our own outline, our own identity. What is Korean national identity without a Japan, without an America, without an enemy?

There's another reason why Dokdo bugs me. A dogmatic and unquestionable belief in ANYTHING, is not symptomatic of an efficient critical ability and should not be encouraged under a healthy educational system (with Darwinism, creationism, nuclear physics, Christianity etc. the questions and alternatives should at least be considered - 'Is it true? How do we know this is true?').

I wonder what a full page spread in the New York Times under the heading 'Do you know Korea?' would contain? Would it contain details of Anti-American sentiment (beef crisis)? Dog torture? How would the American laborers in the struggling manufacturing industries react to learn about the unbalanced trade restrictions placed on American imports (tax on cars etc.), despite the fact that America has a higher unemployment rate than Korea?

Where are the IPODs in Korea, given that Korean electronic products go straight to the American market? Maybe it's time the American unemployed started to ask 'Do you know Korea?'.

[Bearach]

I had a class where I compared Dokdo to Rockall, it seemed to be of interest to my students.

[beercanman]

I like your posts tfunk, thoughtful and interesting.

I see a lot of the victim in Korea, the want to be a victim, the attachment to being a victim. Always the innocent done wrong by outsiders, Korea clings to this tendency like crap that won't fall. Never mind the decades that have passed, the emulation of cultures we aspire to be like, we're victims, dammit, and we like it. They love this victim thing, and refuse to let it go. Hence they are sore losers and asshole winners in sports. They have no class and are unwilling to grow up as a society that wants to be considered advanced, that wants international respect so badly.

Childish society.

[MollyBloom]

Being in the James Joyce Society of Korea, colonization would come up a lot in the readings, for obvious reasons. Many said Koreans feel close to the Irish because of the Japanese/British colonization, respectively.

[Panda]

Thanks for posting this tfunk.

It brings a question to every educator, are you educating or passing knowledge?

However it is a question not only for individual educator, but more to the government... To some extent, every government would rather their people only know things it wants them to know. Its like asking an American about 911, I bet most would mention Muslim Al-Qaeda Bin-Laden, rarely would they give a review about Amercia's foreign policy in mid-east in early 2000.

Also when you are in a foreign coutry, its easier to point out the flaws of their education than that of your own country.

I met many Canadians in Korea who held very hostile views to Chinese government, but I didn't see that among Americans much.

What can I say...the question you brought up is important, but...I wouldn't expect any better solutions.

[nathanrutledge]

[.38 Special]

[Panda]

[Julius]

[eamo]

[beercanman]

And for a small population, some pretty damn good literature and music has come out of Ireland. Many much larger countries don't even come close.

[tfunk]

[MollyBloom]

I love Ireland!!

[Bog Roll]

[Bog Roll]