Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

The thread "Why all the hatred toward Japanese people" got me thinking of this: why does it seem as though almost all (S) Koreans don't care about North Korea?
Maybe this has just been my experience, but except for career armed forces personnel, it seems as though most people here don't care, and in some cases aren't even aware of the situation (I've even had one say to me "you know more about North Korea than I do!")

I could understand concern toward them- they are, after all, their brothers living under a brutal regime.
I could understand hatred- they were brutal in their treatment toward their southern counterparts during the Korea war.
I could understand fear- they are, after all, developing nuclear weapons.

But indifference?

[RACETRAITOR]

I'd say they feel embarrassment.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ajgeddes]

I find that in general, they don't have a positive outlook towards North Korea, but they don't tend to express that in public. I know at least a few who appear indifferent towards the issue, but inside, they don't really like the North because of the problems they caused within the peninsula.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Many Koreans are in favor of granting aid to the north, but for some it's a humanitarian gesture to their Korean brothers, and for some it's a way of keeping the area stable and out of their hair. But, in all, I see many Koreans as being either jaded by fifty years of this mess or hesitant to talk about dirty laundry in front of foreigners.

Ken:>

[Hater Depot]

Indifference to suffering is the default human condition.

[patchy]

I think this thread should be about why all the indifference to the racism shown to Korean people, especially to the North Korean people by the posters here. It would be a more appropriate title for it.

And there should be a link to "Why all the hatred for Japanese People?" thread http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=53970 which should be re-titled "Korean people do not deserve an apology like those Caucasians got from the Germans because they're of a lesser race." And especially the North Koreans, because they're communist to boot.

[Milwaukiedave]

I tend to agree that most Koreans (South Koreans) are indiffrent toward their northern brothers and sisters.

My father-in-law was born in Kaesong which is in North Korea. I think much of his family (those who are still alive) are there. I honestly feel bad for him, but at the same time he has a wife and family here who are good to him. I can't imagine going decades without seeing your family.

[buster brown]

Most of the South Koreans I know are interested in talking about the North, but seem to have very little trustworthy information. When they find out that I've been there, the first thing they want to know is "Are they really starving? Does it look like they're really poor?" One of the things I've picked up from other NGO's at work in the DPRK is that South Koreans see it as 'their role' to help the North. They really don't like the idea of westerners sticking their noses into the situation, even humanitarian aid workers. Maybe they've all bought into the Sunshine Policy as the savior of the peninsula...who knows? Or maybe they see it as an ugly family squabble that will eventually be reconciled by the two sides.

[Captain Corea]

Most South Koreans treat the North as they do the People at Seoul Station; with distant sympathy. They may donate something but very few get down and dirty with them.

I've met more than a number of North koreans in my day and have been lucky to talk to them extensively (both in and out of Korea). Those that have moved to the South often complain about being ostracized and just a general lack of friends.

With only 8000 some odd defectors in the South, you'd think it would be easy for some Unification Ministry to find them all friends. Unfortunately the Sunshine policy is more lip service than substance.



On a side note, I must say Patchy I am quite dissapointed in you. You were holding your own and making good points on the other thread but now you seem to have stooped to a lower lever. Sorry to see that.

[patchy]

[SPINOZA]

I don't raise the issue any more. I was once interested and wanted to talk about it but I think many Koreans find it rather a tedious topic.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[patchy]

[Barking Mad Lord Snapcase]