Thoughts

I've been reading a few things about North and South Korea and also Korea's image to the rest of the world. I find it very interesting because I don't know a whole lot about either topic. Although I currently live in South Korea I'm still unaware of many of the things happening around here. Not to mention my lack of knowledge of Korean history. I can remember sitting in a class during middle or high school and learning about the Korean War and the dividing of the country, but I couldn't even come close to locating Korea on a map (and I always confused Korea for Vietnam, thinking there were rampant jungles and giant mosquitoes). I can find Korea now, but up until the beginning of the year I would have had some trouble.

I read an article, as mentioned before, about Korea's Image to Outside World and the overwhelming consensus was that most people didn't know anything about Korea. It wasn't just Americans, but Canadians, Australians and Japanese. I wonder if it is a lack of education on the part of these countries or a lack of information provided by Korea itself. I know Korea had been shut off, but in the last 50 years or so Korea has risen to a powerful nation, 11th in GDP. Why so little knowledge? I knew more about North Korea than South Korea before I came here, bad things of course, but now I've learned that it is gorgeous and the natural beauty is astounding. It's a shame that nobody can experience the North, but of course this makes me want to go more than ever. I wonder if it is up to the nation to educate the world or if the world should inquire. Obviously what we know about North Korea is information provided by someone else because I doubt they would advocate the negative aspects. I think we need to meet each other half way, maybe the world would be a better place with a little more education.

According to another article, this year at the Olympics the North and South marched in separately unlike the past were they would come in together under a unity flag. People are concerned that this means unification is farther from reach. Also, the two Korean leaders exchanged handshakes, no words or smiles and basically refused to sit at the same table. However, on a positive note, another article mentioned that North Korea should try to adopt China's method of capitalism under communism in order to become a more successful nation. The paper here normally has mention of plans for unification, but obviously this is a long way off and would take a lot of work. But it could happen.

Part of the reason I chose Korea was because I too knew nothing about it. I was intrigued by the mystery of a split nation, the history and the culture. I think one of the reason we have hate and injustice is because we don't know anything about our fellow world citizens. Just today my grade 2 class told me they don't like black people, I can't help but wonder if it is because they have never been exposed or if someone or something is telling them to not like blacks. I was astounded, but at the same time interested in finding out about where this started. It's hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't like someone else because of the color of their skin or something else (I've always had trouble with this). Sure there are people I dislike, but more often than not it is because I find them annoying. I just wish we could all truly find it in our hearts to forgive and move on, stop war and petty fighting and embrace the lives we were given. Take a note from the Discovery Channel, the world is just awesome, but how are we supposed to enjoy it if we keep blowing things up and killing each other.

Sorry if this is a bit discombobulated, it's 2:30am!