Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michael5799042]

Aparently the torch is suposed to come to Seoul. Does anyone know when, where, or what kind of reception it is expected to receive?

[Bibbitybop]

Too bad those of us on and E-2 visa are banned from protesting, eh? Well, physical protesting anyway.

[michael5799042]

[ricky_lamour]

[Ilsanman]

Just provide buckets of water and fire extinguishers for the Korean protestors. You can still do your part.

[ryouga013]

the torch was extinguished anyway because of other protesting...

[samd]

Why would you want to protest? Tibet is a s hitty cause.

[Kimchi Cha Cha]

It'll be interesting to see the reaction of the torch relay in Seoul, if it actually makes it here which is doubtful. I think Koreans have had an age-old scepticism of its big neigbour China and its increasing as China rises in power again.

I think many Westerners became incredibly naive about China, thinking it was changing (or more likely just being self-interested and thinking about all the money a rich China would bring in).

Whereas Koreans and other Asians with a longer history of dealing with China have been a lot more suspicious and distant towards China. A lot of Westerners, myself included, seemed to have been lulled into thinking that as China becomes more affluent it will magically get its human rights in order. Other Asian nations have been a lot more cautious regarding China.

I think the scariest thing the last month has demonstrated is just how firm a grip the Chinese Government and its propaganda machine still has on its people. The vast majority of Han Chinese believe without question all the crap the CCP feeds them and are willing to stand up and protect China's honour on what they see as Western jealously, hyprocrisy and ill-will (which they may have somewhat of a point in some areas). The protesters along the torch relay are being more than matched by overseas Chinese who are affronted by what they see as the West pissing on China's parade and are vowed to uphold the motherland's honour.

We got a glimpse a couple of years back of what is possible when the CCP endorses public dissent to retain Chinese honour when the Chinese Government virtually enabled angry Chinese mobs to go on a anti-Japanese frenzy after Japanese textbooks sort to downplay their WWII atrocities*. It only quietened when China started to receive negative press about it and they decided to rein it in. All this makes Korean netizens look like small-fry indeed.

(*that's a whole nother story altogther and I by no means condone Japan's failure to own up to their atrocities in the past which still creates a large rift in Asia).

Australian PM, Kevin Rudd, just spoke to students at Beijing University in fluent Mandarin saying China needs to fix up its human rights.

It's going to be an interesting year, and interesting next few decades, as China becomes a bigger and bigger player on the world stage. The dragon has awoken, many may wish it stayed back in its cave!

[mysteriousdeltarays]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XJBnHMpHGRY

[Chicoloco]

I wish people would focus all this energy on some of the other more pressing problems of the world. Tibet seems to detract attention from more serious issues.

[michael5799042]

[michael5799042]

I would support the Olympics if this guy was carrying the torch.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9-nXT8lSnPQ&feature=related

[Chicoloco]

[michael5799042]

Lots of the Olympic protests involve Darfur as well. But, I don't think there are as many exiles from Darfur in the relay cities. Most refuges from Darfur are still living in tents in Chad. I think the protests highlight that human rights are important to many people all over the world. Just because they are talking primarily about rights in Tibet doesn't mean it won't help raise the profile of rights in other countries as well.

[pugwall]