Comments on: Post-Impeachment Korea — I’m still alive http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/ Korea... in Blog Format Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:31:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Lee,Yoon-ho http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2622 Lee,Yoon-ho Sat, 20 Mar 2004 00:46:59 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2622 First of all, I apologize for what other Korean newspapers igored the intelligence of foriegners living in Korea. As one of pro-progressive youngster in Korea, I am grateful to see many free opinions in this blog whether it is criticism or not. As far as I understand, I want to clearfy several things on current impeachment situation. 1. There are some group of people who is in pro-Roh faction like NoSaMo(Group of people who love President Roh)s, but the fundamental crisis lies in the fear of not protecting our current consitution. In fact, this current constitution was amended on 10th of June in 1987 on bloods and sufferings of many dissidents in former militaristic government. The representatives of GNP and MDP actually fears the extinction of regional rival structure of politics which was actually formed by the plan and comment of former President Park's president campaign in 1970s( He was Korean-japanese officer in WW II) 2. So, Koreans who were fighting against authoristic military government see this as a rebirth of old political structure which was seemingly changed slowly. President Roh, for avoiding any poltical tackles from opposition party, he raised the degree of transparency in terms of political eqaulity by cutting his control over many power exercising tools(Justice of Department, Department of National Attorney, more importantly he rejected political report from his own intelligence service ) which was famously used by many former presidents in election seasons and other political conflicts(this includes Novel Peace Prize winner former president Kim, Dae- Jung). 3. I do know there can be anti-rally sentiment for seeking the stability and people would say " Who cares ? " . They are busy maintaining their daily survival. And to be honest with you, there are not many korean youngsters who can just simply spare their precious time to some political arguments like this. So the number of rally members is unexpectedly small. If you saw Koreans gathered in 2002 World cup and other anti- American rallies, you would not dare to compare the numbers of anti-impeachment rally. 4. But even those people who wants stability do feel sorry for the loss of President Roh. The reason of current stability not just comes from the reliability of Acting President Ko- Kun but also from the emergency control system under the President Roh's idea. In the extent of bureaucratic system, you might not have trusted the stability of this country if the same thing was happened even under the President Kim, Dae-Jung administration. 5. Furthermore, the reason of the current stablity is that the opposition parties do not mention any impeachment as they did for the last one year under the Roh's control to Ko-Kun or any cabinet members. Because they acheive what they wanted, thesedays they now just want to wait for the sick and tiredness of people and major ardent for silent nation. But their political calculation seems to be wrong as you see in many internet datas. We are aware of dangerous emo-crowds in Korean internet society but internet poll has made it sure to have just one poll from each loggers. And Based on other surveys except Internet statistics( from independent reserch company asked by MBC and KBS), I am sure majority of Koreans are not for the decision of impeachment by the rate 3:7 . I just would like to make a point that this would be the important historical decision wether we go back to the old form of political conflict or proceed to much more justified and transparent soceity. And I hope you guys to pray for the wisest decision . Lot more to say.. but I am hungry.. PING: TITLE: Political Participation Through Time BLOG NAME: Mythusmage Opines The Marmot has a few things to say about the recent impeachment of the South Korean president. In case you haven't followed South Korean politics, they can get, 'involved'. The whole thing reminded me of this story. Seems three gentlemen... PING: TITLE: Mission for the OOP; maintaining a slight discomfort BLOG NAME: Flying Yangban The Marmot has covered the current impeachment situation better than I've seen anywhere else, so I recommend that you go check it out before reading more here. Still here? Go on, get! Now that your back I want to repeat PING: TITLE: Ongoing Impeachment News BLOG NAME: Ruminations in Korea While I rebuild my blog and get it up and running on this new server, the world continues to turn. Marmot has posted news and brilliant insights relating to the impeachment of President Roh and its likely effect on society. I would direct you there to ... First of all, I apologize for what other Korean newspapers igored the intelligence of foriegners living in Korea.

As one of pro-progressive youngster in Korea, I am grateful to see many free opinions in this blog whether it is criticism or not.

As far as I understand, I want to clearfy several things on current impeachment situation.

1. There are some group of people who is in pro-Roh faction like NoSaMo(Group of people who love President Roh)s, but the fundamental crisis lies in the fear of not protecting our current consitution. In fact, this current constitution was amended on 10th of June in 1987 on bloods and sufferings of many dissidents in former militaristic government. The representatives of GNP and MDP actually fears the extinction of regional rival structure of politics which was actually formed by the plan and comment of former President Park’s president campaign in 1970s( He was Korean-japanese officer in WW II)

2. So, Koreans who were fighting against authoristic military government see this as a rebirth of old political structure which was seemingly changed slowly. President Roh, for avoiding any poltical tackles from opposition party, he raised the degree of transparency in terms of political eqaulity by cutting his control over many power exercising tools(Justice of Department, Department of National Attorney, more importantly he rejected political report from his own intelligence service ) which was famously used by many former presidents in election seasons and other political conflicts(this includes Novel Peace Prize winner former president Kim, Dae- Jung).

3. I do know there can be anti-rally sentiment for seeking the stability and people would say ” Who cares ? ” . They are busy maintaining their daily survival. And to be honest with you, there are not many korean youngsters who can just simply spare their precious time to some political arguments like this. So the number of rally members is unexpectedly small. If you saw Koreans gathered in 2002 World cup and other anti- American rallies, you would not dare to compare the numbers of anti-impeachment rally.

4. But even those people who wants stability do feel sorry for the loss of President Roh. The reason of current stability not just comes from the reliability of Acting President Ko- Kun but also from the emergency control system under the President Roh’s idea. In the extent of bureaucratic system, you might not have trusted the stability of this country if the same thing was happened even under the President Kim, Dae-Jung administration.

5. Furthermore, the reason of the current stablity is that the opposition parties do not mention any impeachment as they did for the last one year under the Roh’s control to Ko-Kun or any cabinet members. Because they acheive what they wanted, thesedays they now just want to wait for the sick and tiredness of people and major ardent for silent nation.
But their political calculation seems to be wrong as you see in many internet datas.

We are aware of dangerous emo-crowds in Korean internet society but internet poll has made it sure to have just one poll from each loggers. And Based on other surveys except Internet statistics( from independent reserch company asked by MBC and KBS), I am sure majority of Koreans are not for the decision of impeachment by the rate 3:7 .

I just would like to make a point that this would be the important historical decision wether we go back to the old form of political conflict or proceed to much more justified and transparent soceity. And I hope you guys to pray for the wisest decision .

Lot more to say.. but I am hungry..

PING:
TITLE: Political Participation Through Time
BLOG NAME: Mythusmage Opines
The Marmot has a few things to say about the recent impeachment of the South Korean president. In case you haven’t followed South Korean politics, they can get, ‘involved’. The whole thing reminded me of this story. Seems three gentlemen…

PING:
TITLE: Mission for the OOP; maintaining a slight discomfort
BLOG NAME: Flying Yangban
The Marmot has covered the current impeachment situation better than I’ve seen anywhere else, so I recommend that you go check it out before reading more here. Still here? Go on, get! Now that your back I want to repeat

PING:
TITLE: Ongoing Impeachment News
BLOG NAME: Ruminations in Korea
While I rebuild my blog and get it up and running on this new server, the world continues to turn. Marmot has posted news and brilliant insights relating to the impeachment of President Roh and its likely effect on society. I would direct you there to …

]]> By: The Marmot http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2621 The Marmot Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:43:58 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2621 I agree, Gerry -- I just read the piece, and while I certainly like getting quoted in the Korean press (and it's nice to see someone is reading), I wouldn't go as far as to say that the views expressed are ?짠??째째???. The Korean Times ran a similar piece the other day, and all they did was talk to a couple of expats and foreign experts (perhaps). And the BBS posts from the Guardian they used seems as if they were selectively chosen. I agree, Gerry — I just read the piece, and while I certainly like getting quoted in the Korean press (and it’s nice to see someone is reading), I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the views expressed are ?짠??째째???. The Korean Times ran a similar piece the other day, and all they did was talk to a couple of expats and foreign experts (perhaps). And the BBS posts from the Guardian they used seems as if they were selectively chosen.

]]> By: Gerry Bevers http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2620 Gerry Bevers Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:09:20 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2620 The Hankyore article I referred to in my above post is a March 15 article, not February 15. The Hankyore article I referred to in my above post is a March 15 article, not February 15.

]]> By: Gerry Bevers http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2619 Gerry Bevers Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:04:50 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2619 In a February 15 article, "Foreign Netizens, 'I cannot understand the impeachment" Hakyore uses quotes from "The Guardian" bulletin board and Korean blogs, including "The Marmot Hole," "The Flying Yangban," and "Kamelian Xrays" to make the following claim: "In regard to the impeachment of Roh Mu-hyun, the dominant reaction of foreign netizens is that they cannot understand it." Though it is nice to know that the people are Hankyore are reading English language blogs on Korea, it pisses me off to see them use selective quotos from selective sites to make the claim that most foreign netizens do not understand why Roh was impeached. How can they claim a majority from such a sample? Are they too lazy to do a statistical survey? The article is not only biased, but also dumb. I hate the word, "netizen," and I hate the Korean media uses the opinions of mostly anonymous online posters to try to shape and define public opinion. In a February 15 article, “Foreign Netizens, ‘I cannot understand the impeachment” Hakyore uses quotes from “The Guardian” bulletin board and Korean blogs, including “The Marmot Hole,” “The Flying Yangban,” and “Kamelian Xrays” to make the following claim: “In regard to the impeachment of Roh Mu-hyun, the dominant reaction of foreign netizens is that they cannot understand it.”

Though it is nice to know that the people are Hankyore are reading English language blogs on Korea, it pisses me off to see them use selective quotos from selective sites to make the claim that most foreign netizens do not understand why Roh was impeached. How can they claim a majority from such a sample? Are they too lazy to do a statistical survey?

The article is not only biased, but also dumb. I hate the word, “netizen,” and I hate the Korean media uses the opinions of mostly anonymous online posters to try to shape and define public opinion.

]]> By: Charles http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2618 Charles Tue, 16 Mar 2004 19:01:20 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2618 "In my defense, I plead guilty to thinking that fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature would naturally signal a crisis in South Korean politics. Guess I was wrong." Hehe... I got a chuckle out of that. If any significant length of time went by *without* fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature, then I'd start getting worried. “In my defense, I plead guilty to thinking that fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature would naturally signal a crisis in South Korean politics. Guess I was wrong.”

Hehe… I got a chuckle out of that. If any significant length of time went by *without* fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature, then I’d start getting worried.

]]> By: Paul H. http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2617 Paul H. Mon, 15 Mar 2004 21:02:54 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2617 Thanks for the important correction about wrong use of the phrase "constitutional crisis" -- I won't do it again, unless you indicate it's justified. In my defense, I plead guilty to thinking that fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature would naturally signal a crisis in South Korean politics. Guess I was wrong. Thanks for the important correction about wrong use of the phrase “constitutional crisis” — I won’t do it again, unless you indicate it’s justified.

In my defense, I plead guilty to thinking that fisticuffs and scrums in the legislature would naturally signal a crisis in South Korean politics. Guess I was wrong.

]]> By: Michael http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2616 Michael Mon, 15 Mar 2004 17:49:40 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2616 Yes, "he never seemed to like his job, anyway." And this is not meant as a troll, but I honestly have no idea why Roh should be brought back when neither he nor anyone in the Uri Party seems to have any specific reform measures. I mean, what have they proposed except "we're not the other guys"? There are structural flaws in government here, such as loose or unclear fund raising and campaign laws, but Roh and Co. don't seem to address them--they only make light of their own transgressions compared to the other parties. Yes, “he never seemed to like his job, anyway.” And this is not meant as a troll, but I honestly have no idea why Roh should be brought back when neither he nor anyone in the Uri Party seems to have any specific reform measures. I mean, what have they proposed except “we’re not the other guys”? There are structural flaws in government here, such as loose or unclear fund raising and campaign laws, but Roh and Co. don’t seem to address them–they only make light of their own transgressions compared to the other parties.

]]> By: Toolboy http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2615 Toolboy Mon, 15 Mar 2004 10:34:08 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2615 All this has happened with Roh in office a little more than a year. Even if he survives this, I really don't see how he's going to finish his term. Yes, Roh is incompetent, but he's a worse politician. He seems hell-bent on making enemies with everyone in the legislature (193-2!), and that's a terrible way to run a country. And as you say Marmot, Roh never looked like he enjoyed the job and his duties as president, which is a real disservice to the people. Say what you want about Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-jung, but at least they loved being president. All this has happened with Roh in office a little more than a year. Even if he survives this, I really don’t see how he’s going to finish his term. Yes, Roh is incompetent, but he’s a worse politician. He seems hell-bent on making enemies with everyone in the legislature (193-2!), and that’s a terrible way to run a country.

And as you say Marmot, Roh never looked like he enjoyed the job and his duties as president, which is a real disservice to the people. Say what you want about Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-jung, but at least they loved being president.

]]> By: Andy http://www.rjkoehler.com/2004/03/15/post-impeachment-korea-im-still-alive/#comment-2614 Andy Mon, 15 Mar 2004 08:54:16 +0000 http://rjkoehler.com/?p=610#comment-2614 Dang Marmot, I was going to post on the political situation in Korea but you've already covered most of what I was going to talk about. Great read. Now we know why you are the "point man" among Korea Bloggeristas (winks to the Infidel). Dang Marmot,

I was going to post on the political situation in Korea but you’ve already covered most of what I was going to talk about.

Great read. Now we know why you are the “point man” among Korea Bloggeristas (winks to the Infidel).

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