Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmxc]

A very provocative piece from Tong-hyung Kim of the Korea Times dares to ask whether the horrific recent hazing/bullying deaths in the Korean military and at Korean schools are symptomatic of a ‘deep cultural disease’ proudly embraced by Koreans, where intense pressure to obey social norms trumps human rights.

The writer goes on to describe how in Korea, respect for fundamental human rights is compromised beginning in schools, and especially ignored during the two year mandatory military service for all Korean men. The writer describes how ‘oppressive and violent teachers at many Korean schools’ destroy any notion that humans deserve inherent respect and human rights. Ultimately, he feels that Korean institutions create an environment where human rights are ‘reduced to an idea that is conditional and relative’ rather than being inalienable and inviolable.

It is a deeply thought-provoking piece, but the deep-rooted Korean mindset he discusses will not easily be changed. Cultural change can be the slowest change, but coming on the heels of the New York Times opinion piece about Korea’s education system harming its students, it would seem there is a growing chorus of Korean voices advocating such change.

Hazing deaths disturbingly unsurprising
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/08/113_162400.html

[Yaya]

In the nearly 20 years I've lived in Korea, I've found Korean culture to be one of coercion and violence. You still see guys slapping women on TV; half of Korean men have admitted to hitting their wives, a stat that hasn't changed in two decades; a bullying problem at schools; older people who prey on younger ones; and the list goes on and on.

Koreans are so busy trying to make "a great leap forward" that they've neglected more important things like mental health, alcoholism, horrendous stress levels and high rates of suicide and depression.

[Weigookin74]

I think it's changing in the sense that folks are talking about it; whereas before they ignored it.

There was an incident of a boy slapping a girl in my school and the teachers were all over it with meeting the boy, meeting the parents, speaking with the vice principal, etc. I do remember many teachers ignoring things before. I occasionally walked the halls and got kids to knock it off if I caught them picking on anyone vulnerable in the past.

[Weigookin74]

This is more detailed about the army incident.

http://www.koreaobserver.com/korea-shocked-and-outraged-by-cold-blooded-murder-in-military-22786/

I hope all the parties involved get the death penalty. (Also, pimping in America should be a death penalty offence given the trauma and scarring they make victims go through and even end up dead or suicidal.)

[Weigookin74]

If I ever decide to settle down and have kids, they are all getting put in MMA from the time they are young, I'll tell you that much. None of mine are going to be put through this.

[andrewchon]

The brass and the politicians that went to investigate the death, took a group photo afterwards. Some of them said "화이팅" (fighting, a common Korean cheer) as the photographer clicked the shutter. Jeevus, do these guys know what the grieving mothers who have lost their sons while in service think of them?

And the Defence Minister: "Not my problem, go talk to the army."

Is it a general problem within the society and the culture? No I don't think so. I, and others, have been bullyed in the Australian Army and the reactions were similar. The victims try to go through it alone and spurn the offers of help from their mates. Some survivors learn to speak up for themselves. Truth is, if you're a combat soldier, you have to learn to fight back.

Korea's problem is with the NCOs. In European style of military, the NCOs: corporals, sargeants etc are the core of the army. They are often longtimers and know how to train raw recruits. In Korea, the NCOs are 18 month greenhorns, caught between privates and the officers. Almost nobody stays in the army, except for officers. We, the ESL teachers know the powerlessness of the us, caught between disrepectful students and the uncaring Korean teachers. Korean NCOs are us. People on powertrip usually end up doing stupid things.

[radcon]

[jvalmer]

"An Incheon high school teacher is facing punishment after spraying a can of bug repellent on a student's face for leaving his seat last month. This was weeks after a 17-year-old high school student in Seoul was treated for a torn thigh muscle and internal organ damage after his math teacher forced him to sit up and down 800 times for undone homework."

Sadly, depending on the high school, if the teacher never punished students for not studying, parents would be asking the principal to change teachers. Or not give him a senior-class homeroom the next year.

[Old Painless]

Deep cultural disease MY ASS, they're just mean SOBs like a lot of other mean SOBs in the world. Korea's got her fair share, just like back home.


All you 10 cent Pistoleros need to recognize that cruelty, evil, and general assholeness are human traits. Maybe man is basically evil after all.

[KimchiNinja]

[yodanole]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/famu-hazing-band/

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/UConn-Shuts-Down-Fraternity-Two-Sororities-270913981.html

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mother-of-Student-Killed-During-Chico-State-Hazing-Hoping-to-Raise-Awareness-271186711.html

http://www.hanknuwer.com/hazingdeaths.html

http://newsone.com/1677445/hazing-deaths-rituals-colleges-famu/

You get the picture ( some of you, perhaps )