Korean Job Discussion Forums

[julian_w]

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There's supposed to have been some Korean language media coverage, including TV interviews; but in the English language online news in Korea, there seem to be only two measly little articles covering the huge international show-down going on in Ulsan, Korea, right now.

This is a confrontation of epic proportions. This is a story unfolding into history right in front of you. This is about people, the environment, cultural conflict, national cooperation vs deceit... and no-one seems to know about it!

What's the problem? Is it that the powers-that-be are afraid of all the greeny-whities in Korea joining in the international protest? Or did I just miss the wide and ample coverage, and it's just that most ESL teachers are too self-interested to get their heads into gear and their butts on a bus to Ulsan?

This is the bottom line: If you've ever seen a whale and realised how beautiful they are, or if you'd ever like your kids or their kids just to be able to maybe someday see a whale, then you need to copy these links, forward them to as many people and other online forums like this one as you can, and then make arrangements to spend as much time as you can in Ulsan throughout June. Mid-late June is a very good time to give a *hit and get on that bus.

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From the people who are there, right now:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/koreawhales/

Two measly paragraphs: http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20050519/460100000020050519174931E0.html

Okay, to be fair, this article is solid, though brief:
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200505/kt2005052716171311990.htm

Visit the Whale Embassy today:
http://www.comebackwhales.com/english/index.html

Good scientific info., and a positive alternative to murder:
http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/research/ecolevol/baker/symposium/index.htm

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[julian_w]

So, has anyone found any other coverage of this huge event mentioned anywhere else?

What about the smaller English language magazines?

You guys who watch Korean language TV or read the papers, what's the content and coverage been like in your part of the country?

... Surely there's been more than this in the Korean language media...? Or in the smaller English language publications...?

[billybrobby]

I'm gonna give you some advice man. I'm not a writer and i'm not an English teacher, but there's one rule I learned in school: STATE YOUR MAIN IDEA IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH. I had to get to the last paragraph to figure out what the hell you're talking about and even then it was only through inference.

or maybe, as part of the consipiracy, your first paragraph was edited by the censors...ooh...

[tardisrider]

Mmmmm...I'll bet whales taste good. The only thing I'd vote "yes" for is putting one on my plate.

[julian_w]

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Tardisridder [sc.]: That's a weak effort, troll. (*...yawwwn...*) I was offered whale meat on a plate, 'serbice', many years ago in Korea, and that was a surprise. Online efforts at merely being irritating lost their relative impact a long time ago.

Billybrobby: Thanks for the advice. You sound mildly peeved. I do regret that. To that end, let me get immediately to the second and main point of this posting.

For people like the other person who just PMd me and asked for more info. about the Whale Embassy:

here's a bunch u may find useful.

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I found contact info. for the embassy at this site:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/koreawhales/archives/2005/04/urgently_needed.html

"April 11, 2005
Urgently needed: whale ambassadors!
Do you live in Korea? Do you speak fluent English and Korean? Would you like to help out at the Whale Embassy? Then we want to talk to you!
If you would like to volunteer at the Whale Embassy, please give us a call for all the details."

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You can find more info. about the embassy, and see a picture of what to look for once you get there, at this site:
http://www.comebackwhales.com/english/index.html

"Greenpeace and KFEM have established a Whale Embassy, right near the brand new Jangsaengpo Whale Museum in Ulsan."

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You can read about the experiences of those who are or who have already been there, here:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/koreawhales/

As you may discover, if you really want to go and experience being a part of it all, get yourself a tent and outdoor sleeping gears!

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As for the best time to be there, ... well, the way I see it, there are three major stages of the meeting left between right now this minute, and the end of June.

The actual whaling meeting (International Whaling Commission) started on the 27th May, but goes until the 24th June. It has four sections:
(i) a workshop (last weekend),
(ii) scientists' meeting (until June 12)
(iii) a 'general committee' meeting (June 13 - 19) and
(iv) the general assembly (June 20-24).
The way I guess it's being run is that the scientists present a bunch of information first, then committee members meet, drink and chat and sound each other out in the second stage, and then the last session they actually get down to arguing and making decisions.

1.) right now, it's good to be there: for moral support for those who have come over from other countries only for the demonstration in Ulsan. They knew little of life in Korea before they got here; they're really interesting people to chat with because they're so completely dedicated to living what they believe; and hopefully, after meeting them, you can talk with every Korean and foreigner you meet, and convince them to email, phone and contact every person they know and get more support that way too, for the days and weeks that are following (see 2.) and 3.)

2.) ... June 13 - 19 - I'm guessing that this is when the first VIP national reps. are coming to town - I mean those with political agendas, rather than scientific. I'd guess it'd be good to have extra people on hand to add further weight of numbers to the demonstrators then.

3.) ... June 20 - 24 - I'd also guess that the third and final session, which is during the week, will also require more people to add to numbers. If you can throw a sick day or take a day's leave, one day earlier that week would be best to do.

You can read the best article I've found online so far here:
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200505/kt2005052716171311990.htm

The best way to get the best information, however, would be to contact the people on the ground there. I'm currently in another country, and haven't contacted those at the embassy yet.

I'm trying to organise my ticket there for the next couple of weeks; but whether I'll be there before stage (ii) or stage (iii.) I haven't figured out yet.

I hope to see you there tho! (and that includes you, too, Tardyribber! )

[desultude]

[chance2005]

Stay away from whale meat. It is very polluted with Mercury. If you eat it your nipples will fall off.

[JacktheCat]

I ate Minke whale sushi and tartar in Iceland and nothing happened to me. Though I can't say the taste was that great. Greasy and with a strong aftertaste.

Dolphin steak on the otherhand is delicious.

[tardisrider]

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[chance2005]

[jaganath69]

I'm going down to Ulsan this weekend to get me some whale meat. No lie, no troll.

[julian_w]

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jaganath69 said:

[the_beaver]

I'm all for saving endangered species but the Greenpeace potheads get on my nerves.

[julian_w]

julian_w wrote: