|
Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Cave Dweller
Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Seoul
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:42 am Post subject: Korea gearing up to be a liberal bankrupt paradise |
|
|
Funny thing today. A Korean lady was telling me about Mrs Jasmine Lee, a filipino who is in the Korean national assembly with the ruling party.
She is ready to get a law passed in Korea 'protects' illegal immigrants. Basically, she wants illegals to get a whole bunch of rights that citizens and legal aliens get. Furthermore, she wants the children of illegals to be afforded all the rights and privileges of Koreans. Free education, health care, sponsored childcare, etc. And when they turn 18, a Korean passport in hand. No army service because they are 'foreigners'.
You'd think Korea would look at western countries and realize that multiculturalism is a big failure of an experiment. Putting a sign on the peninsula saying 'free money here' is a huge mistake.
This is all the while the Kovernment has been slashing benefits for the people, raising taxes (25% in the last 5 years). This country needs more mouths to feed like it needs a hole in the head. Especially with the possibility of reunification looming. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Cave Dweller
Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Seoul
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
The funny and ironic thing is, while this lady is telling me about this, I am laughing because they are the same things that so many westerners have complained about but were called 'racists.' Because I don't want to pay for other people to live when I barely have enough for myself. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
drydell
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm somehow doubting your slanted version of this is the whole story. One thing is certain though - korea is a demographic aging population time bomb waiting to happen.. The government knows this and realizes that immigration is one of the most practical solutions. That's why even the rightwing parties have passed legislation giving more support for multi-national families.. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
drydell wrote: |
I'm somehow doubting your slanted version of this is the whole story. One thing is certain though - korea is a demographic aging population time bomb waiting to happen.. The government knows this and realizes that immigration is one of the most practical solutions. That's why even the rightwing parties have passed legislation giving more support for multi-national families.. |
Is it really going to be bad? Or will it just be a period of sustained living. Despite Japan's last 20 years of virtually zero growth, it still isn't a bad place to live. And still has the 3rd largest economy in the world. Korea could be headed for the same. A country with living standards in the top 30, which isn't that bad. Nobody is starving on the streets, running water, basic shelter, and electricity. Not the best place to live, and not the worst. There are almost 6 billion people in the world willing to trade places with almost any Korean. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Cave Dweller
Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Seoul
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you doubt my story, look up Jasmine Lee and the law(s) she is trying to pass.
I am not necessarily against immigration. Controlled immigration of the right people is the way to go. Not opening the flood gates to anyone who has enough for a one-way ticket here and looking for a handout. Or you end up like the EU.
jvalmer wrote: |
drydell wrote: |
I'm somehow doubting your slanted version of this is the whole story. One thing is certain though - korea is a demographic aging population time bomb waiting to happen.. The government knows this and realizes that immigration is one of the most practical solutions. That's why even the rightwing parties have passed legislation giving more support for multi-national families.. |
Is it really going to be bad? Or will it just be a period of sustained living. Despite Japan's last 20 years of virtually zero growth, it still isn't a bad place to live. And still has the 3rd largest economy in the world. Korea could be headed for the same. A country with living standards in the top 30, which isn't that bad. Nobody is starving on the streets, running water, basic shelter, and electricity. Not the best place to live, and not the worst. There are almost 6 billion people in the world willing to trade places with almost any Korean. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Coltronator
Joined: 04 Dec 2013
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
She wants the children to have the same citizenship by location of birth instead of parental nationality.
Canada & U.S. plus others are already this way. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010 Location: Victoria, Canada.
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Jasmine Lee is only one vote in the congress, not a dictator.
The bigger worry is the expansion of the welfare state for Koreans. The health care for elderly, free school lunches for non-poor children.
And these things are like the deck chairs on the Titanic vs. reunification.
Foreigners are just a media distraction. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Newbie

Joined: 07 Feb 2003
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Multiculturalism is a failed experiment?
When did that happen?
Granted, I only live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world (Toronto) and every day see Brits, French, Irish, Germans, Italians, Ukranians, Russians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Indians, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Arabs, Persians, Africans, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Straight and LGBT, all living together and getting along with almost no hate crime and relative peace, and prospering, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but...
Sure, there are occasional problems and to the small-minded there seems to be some segregation, but that's always been there and always passes. 150 years ago when the Irish came in big numbers, they stuck to themselves and the established Europeans complained about them not adapting. But after a generation or two they eventually became Canadian. Then after WW2 when the Italians came in heavy numbers, the Irish-Canadians and established Europeans complained about their strange food, strange smells, only speaking Italians, "ghettos", and them not adapting. But after a generation or two they eventually became Canadian. Throughout that time, and near the end of the 20th century when Chinese numbers really picked up again, the Canadians complained about their strange food, smells, only speaking Chinese, "ghettos", and them not adapting. But we now have Chinese people as Canadian as the original Europeans, Irish and Italians, and Chinese kids now who are more Canadian than Chinese. (repeat same exercise with chosen ethnicity: Ukranian, Polish, Indian, Arabic, Jamaican, etc.)
And now the target is SE Asians and Muslims. The recent immigrants, sure, just like the Irish, Italians, Chinese et al before them, seem to be sticking to themselves and not adapting. But in a generation or two that will change. It always has, and will continue to do so. We can already see that with second and third generation SE Asian and Arab Canadians who are just about as Canadian as any French, British, Irish, Italian, Chinese Canadians who've been here for generations. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
metalhead
Joined: 18 May 2010 Location: Toilet
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
You still have to pay for tertiary education in Canada though, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe has you beat. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
metalhead wrote: |
You still have to pay for tertiary education in Canada though, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe has you beat. |
This kind of depends on which province you live in. Quebec's university system is incredibly cheap if you're from Quebec (or a Francophonie country). I know they planned to raise prices to something a little bit more expensive but still super affordable, but I think they went back on that and just raised prices dramatically on international tuition. Last I checked tuition had been frozen at $2,200/year since 1994 for in-province students. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
metalhead
Joined: 18 May 2010 Location: Toilet
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
northway wrote: |
metalhead wrote: |
You still have to pay for tertiary education in Canada though, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe has you beat. |
This kind of depends on which province you live in. Quebec's university system is incredibly cheap if you're from Quebec (or a Francophonie country). I know they planned to raise prices to something a little bit more expensive but still super affordable, but I think they went back on that and just raised prices dramatically on international tuition. Last I checked tuition had been frozen at $2,200/year since 1994 for in-province students. |
You know, in Sweden, high school students get 100 bucks (American) a month for going to school, and not only is uni free, but you get money from the government for going to uni too. Nordic socialism is great, and the girls are hot and friendly. I'm not denying that Canada sounds like an awesome place, but I don't think it's the best place either. The world is a big place man, and democracy and capitalism is not the answer, as a Canadian you should understand that, sadly on this site it's always black and white, it's either this or that, but there are other systems out there that are just as good and perhaps even better.
These are the facts as I know them. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Cave Dweller
Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Seoul
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
She is one vote, but she also has people that agree with her. The bill could be passed. It will make this place a socialist nightmare of high taxes but without any real benefits.
I pay a low rate of tax here but I know the average Korean pays a fair bit. What they receive for that money...I have no clue. Health care isn't covered with tax. Most of the army are conscripts with almost no pay. They give very little foreign aid and their welfare system is much less than the west. My guess is roads and subway lines that continue to be built. If not that, I have no idea.
Who's Your Daddy? wrote: |
Jasmine Lee is only one vote in the congress, not a dictator.
The bigger worry is the expansion of the welfare state for Koreans. The health care for elderly, free school lunches for non-poor children.
And these things are like the deck chairs on the Titanic vs. reunification.
Foreigners are just a media distraction. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
jvalmer wrote: |
drydell wrote: |
I'm somehow doubting your slanted version of this is the whole story. One thing is certain though - korea is a demographic aging population time bomb waiting to happen.. The government knows this and realizes that immigration is one of the most practical solutions. That's why even the rightwing parties have passed legislation giving more support for multi-national families.. |
Is it really going to be bad? Or will it just be a period of sustained living. Despite Japan's last 20 years of virtually zero growth, it still isn't a bad place to live. And still has the 3rd largest economy in the world. Korea could be headed for the same. A country with living standards in the top 30, which isn't that bad. Nobody is starving on the streets, running water, basic shelter, and electricity. Not the best place to live, and not the worst. There are almost 6 billion people in the world willing to trade places with almost any Korean. |
There are plenty of people in a bad way in Korea. It's not all wine and kimchi.
There is also a huge difference between the Japanese and Korean economies. And, I'd bet, a huge difference between lifestyles. The Japanese just keep tightening their belts another notch, which is one of the problems with their economy; I'm not at all certain Koreans want to give up their relatively new status as consumers.
And Korea has a smaller population to begin with, so less of a cushion for these demographic changes.
People could work longer, but where are the jobs going to come from? You have the most rapidly aging population in the world, and they're going to soak up a large amount of services and funding. What happens, for example, when close to 50% of subway passengers are riding for free?
In sum, I think it's a real problem. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cave Dweller wrote: |
The bill could be passed. It will make this place a socialist nightmare |
Koreans are always so extreme. Either they detest the ground you walk on or they want to give you free welfare benefits.
They need a balanced approach.
Make it easy for foreigners who can speak basic Korean and who have lived over three years in-country to get residence. Citizenship for any foreign person born in country. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
jvalmer

Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Chaparrastique wrote: |
Make it easy for foreigners who can speak basic Korean and who have lived over three years in-country to get residence. Citizenship for any foreign person born in country. |
I think that's a little to extreme by Korean standards.
My idea:
- if you are ethnic non-Korean born in Korea to parents not born in Korea, automatic permanent resident
- a foreigner living in Korea for X number of years, permanent residence.
- if an ethnic non-Korean family born in Korea for at least 2 generations (at least on one side), then the 3rd generation will get automatic Korean citizenship (which takes care of the bulk of the Hwagyo, ethnic Chinese, who are yet to be citizens) (just the reverse of many countries where you can lose citizenship by the 3rd generation if not born in country)
Other rules will stay in place, like having one Korean parent, child gets automatic Korean citizenship.
They also should get rid of that ridiculous choosing a citizenship by 18 rule too. Let the person keep both citizenship. |
|
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
|
|