Remember the commotion the BBC auto program Top Gear caused earlier this year? Well, I noticed on the way to work today that Top Gear magazine will be starting up a Korean edition from April 20.
Interestingly enough, it will be the first foreign car magazine to hit the local market.
18 Comments
How long ago did the Top Gear controversy happen? Was this a response to that? It must take monthsif not yearsto plan a new magazine, though….
vroom vroom. This is a secret message
Marmot,
Your blog design looks great, and thanks for the info on the new auto magazine, but why do I get the feeling you are trying to avoid the bigger news stories?
I was hoping that you would elaborate on your previous comments on Tokdo and Japan’s Fusosha textbooks (i.e. “I happened to agree that Dokdo is part of Korea. I also happened to agree that the Fusosha textbooks present what, at best, could be called an extremely incomplete version of history,”) but you never did. Are Tokdo and the Japanese textbook controveries too emotionally charged to discuss freely without fear of some kind of retribution? Anyway, I am curious as to why you have been so quiet lately.
By the way, have you read this Hankyoreh article?
The article talks about a bill that No Ung-rae, a Korean lawmaker, plans to present to the Korean National Assembly. The bill would give immigration authorities the right to deny entry to Korea any foreigner who consistantly makes comments claiming Korean territory (e.g. Japanese who claim Tokdo) or foreigners who distort history (i.e. Any foreigner who disagrees with the Korean version?). The lawmaker explains that the law would not be a freedom of speak issue since it targets foreigners, not Koreans. (I do not understand that one.)
Anyway, I miss the Marmot who used to discuss more controversal issues and looked at them with a more critical eye. The Marmot I see these days seems more cautious and noncommital and posts way too much on what I consider insignificant issues. Of course it is your blog, but I was wondering if you think working for a Korean newspaper has affected your objectivity and willingness to share your true feelings on issues that Koreans, right and left, would take offense to if you disagreed with them?
BTW, Robert, did you notice I made the popup window resizable?
Mucho better methinks…
That is my point, gbnhj. The Marmot’s Hole used to be “the place” to come and discuss the hot issues and hold the feet of the Korean government and media to the flames. However, recently, it seems to have turned into another dime-a-dozen cultural blurb site.
Marmot,
It is not only a question of your epistemic modality (my big word for today), but is also a question of your even raising the issues. In other words, you not only seem to be hedging more than before, you also seem to be avoiding even mentioning the hotter topics in the news. With that said, it is nice to see your “You can’t be serious” post above.
http://www.sjwar.org/htm/germany.html
Gerry — it’s not a question of whether working for a Korean paper has affected my objectivity. It’s a question that if blogging has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t know nearly as much as I once though I did.
Korea isn’t known for making well-made cars. On a recent flight back to Korea* I saw part of a Queen Latifa/Jimmy Fallon movie (”Taxi”) where Daewoo is the butt of more than a few jokes. Still– I might consider going back to America if everyone traded in their SUVs for a Matiz.
* no self-indulgent Neffesque stories here about said flight. Sorry for that jab — it actually looks like his posts have gotten more in line with the things I love about this blog — it’s consistently informative and decidedly not self-indulgent. (I’d read wonkette or carouse blogspot for high school diaries if I wanted that.) This isn’t a request for you to pander to your readers, by the way… you’re one of the best.
Korea isn??t known for making well-made cars but in reality, especially compared to their American counterparts, they make better reliable cars. That is why American car manufacturers are losing big market shares in North America, while GM’s credit rating is almost junk bond status, while Hyundai’s market capitalization is practically doubled the GM’s.
American cars stress SUV’s, Mini Vans, and engine power, while Hyundai stress quality and practicality. In this day and age where gas prices are set to hit $100 a barrel, American product strategy is questionable. It’s as if they haven’t learned a thing since the 1970’s when they lost market shares to the Japanese.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com.....ry=hyundai
Gerry in response to your quote, “The lawmaker explains that the law would not be a freedom of speak issue since it targets foreigners, not Koreans. (I do not understand that one.)”
Just wanted to point to you the obvious. I do not know any nation on this planet that gives rights to non-citizens. (i.e. North Koreans in China, Mexicans in the United States.) This isn’t to say I support that lawmaker, (as I happen to think George Soros and his OSI is right on the money), but nations routinely bar people whom they consider to be persona non-grata or however you spell it in latin.
Plenty of nations bar foreigners from entering based on political views. Most notable is of course, North Korea barring foreign journalists. Heck, when I was sworn into American citizenry, I was asked if I was a Communist. I guess I answered THAT question correctly, hail Abraham Lincoln!
Again, what I’m trying to say here is that the constitution of Korea protects the FREEDOM of speech ONLY so far as to pertains to Koreans born of Korean heritage. (although technically the SK government has broken it’s constitutional obligation to Korean citizens of NK heritage…)
Wuah, let me clarify my previous statement, “I do not know any nation on this planet that gives rights to non-citizens.” I mean to say, “I do not know any nation on this planet that gives full rights due a CITIZEN to non-citizens.”
Gerry,
Man, are you still begging for more hate stuff? ????????? I think we can lay off Dokdo and anti-Japan articles for a while. I am somewhat tired of dwelling in one subject.
There are more things going on in Korea than anti-Japan movement. The worldcup qualifying games, for example. The soccer is more important than Dokdo. Just ask any Korean male.
I’m with Baduk - there’s just no point in bringing up that issue here. Time and place, Gerry, time and place…
I wanna more TA! Dokdo pabo!
virtual wonderer, I acknowledge what you are saying about how countries often bar foreigners based on political views (have we let Cat Stevens back in the States yet?), but that doesn’t make it right. It’s a legitimate issue (though perhap under a different comment section; what was this post about again?).
If such a bill passed, couldn’t a zealous patriot go through the ex-pat blogs and report to immigration those of us with an “improper” view of Korea?
Virtual Wonderer -
I’m not sure about this:
“I do not know any nation on this planet that gives full rights due a CITIZEN to non-citizens” Among most democracies, certainly all in Europe, freedom of speach is not restricted to citizens. Any person (resident or non) is garaunteed such basic rights while in the country.
You seem to be saying that non-Korean citizens have no constitutional protection in SK - no protection from the state whatsoever which if true places foreigners in Korea (resident and non) in great peril.
Scott DS,
I hope you don’t think I actually agree with the said lawmaker. I’m just pointing out the obvious, that I do not know any nation on the planet that gives freedom of speech to non-citizens who resides OUTSIDE the nation, except for very few cases–case in point, if you happen to be someone important say Alberto Fujimori, high ranking NK defector, etc.
Even Eurpean nations do not offer to enforce such basic human right as freedom of speech let alone other human rights to non-citizens OUTSIDE the country, and that is what I was getting at. (well from time to time, terrorizing belgian peacekeepers “TRY” to do stuff in Congo, and sometimes French forces are willing to enforce human rights for Africans until their own nationals are safely back in Paris…) Actually, I would think that many European nations may penalize non-citizens(illegal aliens) from freedom of speech by deportation like all the other nations do. I would think they do, but I may be simply projecting the inner workings of United States on them.
As a first generation immigrant myself, I would hope that such short-sightedness disappears. I only answered Gerry Beavers, because although I think it is important that Koreans take to these constructive criticisms from abroad with open-mindedness, I find that many expats have the same problems as the nazi-korean nationalists. I make the obvious point so these expats don’t make the same error as the Korean fascists do by saying stuff like, “Oh, it’s so rotten here. But what can you expect from a nation that produces rotten kimchi.” Maybe i’m a bit sensitive and my objectivity has been clouded by reading too much hate postings on blogosphere.
Fair enough virtual wonderer.