Chinese ambassador Li Bin told the Korea Times that he supports President Roh’s concept to turn Korea into a Northeast Asian “balancer.”
Wonder if he called up any lawmakers to express his support while he was at it.
-
English Books on Korea... and More!
-
Visit My Brother's Film Review Site
59 Comments
South Korea? Where is that? Oh, you mean the Outer Koguryo Autonomous Region?
Gotcha.
Way to go, Roh.
Sadaeju-ui only works in one direction, ya know?
Unfortunately if Korea does become a “balancer” in the region the likely counter balance will be for Japan to rethink re-arming, which I thought was exactly the type of thing Korea wanted to avoid.
I also find it interesting the Korea will declare diplomatic “war” over some worthless islands that they already occupy, and completely bow to their new Chinese masters who occupy Northern Korea. (not North Korea) Now 1/2 of Baekdusan, 100,000s of ethnic Koreans, coal, timber, mines, and farmland are defacto stolen, and all Korea can think up to do is “balance” against the US a supposed ally. This is dumb. In addition an un-balanced region is not good for investment which I think Korea will come to see.
ha ha ha.. China tells them what they want to hear. S.Korea is going going gone and gone over to the other side.
Your laughter will be answered by the grief of the future generations. You laugh. I am sure Koreans laughed before Korean War.
Only people who have right to laugh are the Chinese people. They can plunder Korea soon.
Hot damn, where is my sack? Why didn’t anyone tell me that the plundering was about to begin? I’ve got first dibs on the Korea hotties! Where is that eye rolling smiley when you need it?
You know what… you’re gonna have to explain something to me.
Is the point of all these posts to get people to laugh at how pathetic Korea is? Because that’s all your readers seem to do.
Why don’t you send your reply in an e-mail to me or as a comment on my site, as it’s hard to find it here (due to the multitude of responses).
Fulcrum.
hk, I’m not laughing because I think it’s funny. I’m laughing because of the pure idiocy of the Korean government. I guess it’s what’s you call frustration.
Well, it makes you wonder whether this will have much of a long term impact.
Most Koreans are angry at Japan right now about Dokdo or Takeshima or Liancourt or whatever you want to call it, and they are angry about the textbooks.
Japanophiles can make all the excuses they want about Japan’s behaviour, and laugh about the halmoni who cut off her finger, but the Koreans have a point (although I guess, with one less finger - sorry). More textbooks were approved that gloss over wartime atrocities. And Dokdo is Korea’s by the fact that they possess it right now. Japan is moving to the right, and it is endangering its relations with both Korea and China with this kind of behavior. Why should either country tolerate it? Why not band together in a community of interest to protest the historical distortions and territorial agrandisements that Japan seems to be guilty of with all its neighbors?
In the long run, Korea should probably think long and hard about how much they want to snuggle up to an undemocratic China with its eye on North Korea. But if they can use it for short term gain against right wing Japan (not all the Japanese people, only the weirdos who run around in the black vans), why not?
Chinese support for this “balancer” policy is obvious evidence that even the Chinese think this will distance South Korea from China’s greatest challenge in the Pacific theater: the United States.
Question is, is the Roh gov’t simply blind or is this honestly their vision?
For the first time, I can actually see Roh’s “balancer” rhetoric as a possibility, though maybe not as he intended. In the Asia Times there’s an interview (http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GD07Ad07.html) with Lawrence Taub, who thinks China, Japan and the Koreas will form a “Confucian” union, and relatively quickly. He also predicts the fall of N.K. by 2007…we’ll see.
On simple analysis, China’s view of Korea as a “balancer” in NEA makes sense, and would be a continuation of China’s historical view of Korea. THis may be simplistic, but China appears to have always recognized Korean (collective sense) independence while including Korea, often under various degrees of vassalage, as within the “Liu Ge” universe, of which China was seen as the cultural and economic center. In earlier periods, Korea was a handy ally in the wars against the barbarians. In the early Cheoson, it was a barrier against the Japanese. Later, it was an ally against Cossack (Russian) expansion into the Amur river region. And of course, Chinese interest in keeping Korea as a “balancer” between an Expansionist Japan and weak China led to the disastrous 1894-95 Sino-Japanese War. Small wonder that when China threw out the Qing dynasty, both Nationalist and Communist claimants would view Koreans as necessary allies, and a friendly Korean state as essential to their own causes. Thus the quick drafting of ethnic Korean manpower in Manchuria for the Chinese civil war, and a triumphant Communist China’s support for the DPRK. In light of that history, it would make sense that an emerging capitalist (but Leninist) China would continue to view Korea as a “balancer”. But now, instead of ethnic Korean troops, or a Marxist Korean state, they need Korean capitalist know-how. Korea is still a bridge, however this time they are seen as a capital and intellectual bridge to the western economic vibrancy that China now wants to make its own. I believe that we can therefore take the Ambassador’s statement in good faith. HOwever, as I suspect Korean companies know, there are many minefields sprinkled across that bridge, not the least of which is the danger that Chinese companies will do their best to exploit Korean capitalism, organizational know-how, and research and development to the maximum, and then eventually deal Korea out alltogether. Whatever Korea’s relationship to the United States, which has been highly beneficial and at times life-saving to it, it retains strong economic interest in China. The expansion of the Chinese economy, with both increased production of goods, and increasing earnings for Chinese workers which can be spent to purchase higher quality goods, representa a window of opportunity for Korea. They would be idiots not to take maximum advantage of those opportunities. Again, nations cannot afford to have “friends”, they have interests. It is Korea’s interest to both exploit opportunities in China’s economic development, while remaining close, both militarily and economically, to the United States and the West. In other words, to be a “balancer”.
Right lirelou, no problems being a balancer, but why is Roh so eager to throw out the relationship with the US? Can’t S.Korea be friends with China and the US at the same time? Why must it choose over one or the other?
balancer?! buffer, maybe.
not one of koreans even cut his/her nail to complain a chinese version of historical distortion. nor they complain about chinese support on NK during the korean war.
meantime, you all know how nice koreans are to japan, the us.
michael, unfortunately japanese version of confucian value has been quite twisted through the years of feudalism and westernization process which have not occured in others 2 countries or only in lesser scale(correct me if i am wrong).
just like 3 countries use chopstics, we use chopsticks only and place them horizontally, whereas china and korea put chopsticks spoon as a pair put vertically on a table.
You know, Mae, I was thinking the same thing, but I have really no knowledge of confucianism in Japan. Also, Taub assumes Japan will in effect relinquish its alliance with the U.S.–I just don’t see it happening. But it’s an interesting interview.
Any time Korea wants to become a “balancer” and invite American troops to leave, I’m pretty sure we’d be delighted to.
HK: You know what?? you??re gonna have to explain something to me.
No, I don’t have to explain anything to you. You should have gleaned this when you asked for my credentials. And no, I’m not going to send you an email or respond on your blog.
Is the point of all these posts to get people to laugh at how pathetic Korea is? Because that??s all your readers seem to do.
Jesus, first Gerry with the “I’m avoiding sensitive topics,” and now you with the “I’m trying to make Korea look bad.” As I said before, I have no intention what so ever of explaining myself to you. I will say, however, that if you don’t like my blog, don’t read it. Think I’m unqualified to state the opinions I do? Do as you said on your own blog, and read the Economist, Foreign Affairs, etc. Think I make “Korea” look bad? Stick with Arirang TV. This is a BLOG, not the NYT. I don’t go onto Dog Stew — which is an excellent blog, BTW — and demand they be more “objective” because their politics are slightly to the left of Mao or bitch that all they do is try to make the U.S. look “evil” (exaggeration employed for rhetorical effect). They are entitled to their opinions and ideological slant. I sure as hell don’t ask them to explain to me why they post the things they do.
I don’t think the marmot makes korea look bad, or that the marmot even tries to make korea look bad. A lot of the people who post on the site seem to have bad opinions of korea, but since many of them live in korea their opinion means about as much as a mexican immigrant who says America sucks.
It is true the marmot isn’t really qualified to do anything, but this is the internet, so it’s par for the course (exaggeration employed for rhetorical effect).
It is true the marmot isn??t really qualified to do anything, but this is the internet, so it??s par for the course (exaggeration employed for rhetorical effect).
Well, you’re entitled to your opinion, of course.
Marmot… so why don’t you tell us your credentials? Are you embarassed or something? What’s to hide?
Funny how kyopos living in and criticizing the U.S. go nuts when non-Koreans living in Korea comment on news items about Korea.
Hey, come on people. I hope you’re not serious about asking for the Marmot’s creds. Who gives a shit? Just read and enjoy his blog! Like he says, just read and enjoy, or go elsewhere.
Marmot We appreciate ya buddy. Ya can’t please all the people all the time.
I’ve said many times it is just a matter of time until Korea is back into China’s sphere of influence. The US was just a temporary protector while traditional strong big brother got its strength back.
Korea gets all upset that Japan wants to go to an international court to solve a land dispute. Since Korea owns it now and will never willingly go to the international court- it will remain Koreas because modern Japan would never take it over by force. All the talk about right wing militaristic Japan is sensationalized beyond belief in Korea and China. They have a small army and a population that is very leery of any war because 99% do know they started WWII and feel guilty about it. While China and Korea seem ready to go to war at a drop of a hat-Who is the right wing militaristic people?
China actually forcibly enters into Korean territory by forcing its way into the Korean embassy. Here is a link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wor.....042314.stm. But Korea doesn’t seem to be upset about it. China has taken over Tibet and other regions by force, has the largest army, and is willing to use it for territorial gain but Korea is more concerned with Japan????? China would have made Korea part of China long ago and tried many times. But that long ago it took a long time to march an army that far and they were never able to complete the conquest for this reason. So they just made it into a vassal state. Modern technology makes it much easier to march an army long distances and makes it much easier to conquer Korea.
The last time Korea tried to act as a balancer was the era right before Japan took over Korea. Korea was in a tough situation and had bad leadership. Well the bad leadership is back, the situation in NE Asia is getting dicey and the leadership of Korea looks willing to sell the Korean people out just like last time.
Lirelou brings up economics and being foolish to not trade with China. I agree that Korea needs to trade with China and would be a fool not to. But Korea has traded with China all these years as an ally of the US with no problems. Why not keep that relationship with the US and Japan and continue trading with China as is? Korea does not have to be a balancer to trade with China.
On one level I know Korea will go back to China as a vassal or just be taken over- it is a matter of time. If I didn’t care about some of the people in this country I wouldn’t care that much. The US could use the 33,000 troops and the billions of dollars it spends somewhere else (probably Japan) As Pavlov 3 suggested Japan will be forced to build its own military to create a new balance. But I do care greatly about some of the people in this country and would hate to see Korea fail at the balancing act and slip to China because of poor leadership just like they did to Japan. The whole reason of the US as Koreas protector was China, Japan, and Russia had all previously had its eyes on Korea as its own territory. It had to look to a powerful country far away without an eye on its territory for protection- the US. This strategy worked very well for Korea. Why go back to the old system?
Sorry for the long rant
dogbert, mind you. you dont know how kyopos in japan behave…and most of them are not even japanese citizens.
I have no idea, Mae. Enlighten us about the Zainichi Koreans, please.
People are over-reacting. Roh will be out of office in 3? Years. Hopefully, Korea will elect a President that has a clue and put the Roh ?橫amateur hour?? years behind them.
For better or for worse, most of the world ignores the news coming out of Korea. Even in Japan (outside of a few pissed off fishermen), the Japanese seem blissfully unaware of the Taekshima issue with Yon-sama merchandise continuing to sell like hotcakes. Americans are too busy watching ??Newlyweds?? or ??American Idol?? to pay attention to events in Korea. Heck most Americans probably couldn??t find Korea on a map if you paid them $20.
If Koreans elect another incompetent in 2007, I??ll start to worry. Otherwise, I doubt they??ll be too much long term damage. The U.S.-Korea relationship will continue to evolve but that??s as it should be. Hopefully, the economic and political relationship will remain strong but we??ll stop paying for Korea??s defense. I have no idea how much longer Boa and Yong-sama will continue to be popular in Japan but the current “diplomatic war” certainly doesn??t seem to be having any effect.
I’ve lived in Korea for more than five years, seen my country’s flag torn up and burned on a regular basis (so guess where I’m from), and watched Koreans light themselves on fire over rocks in the ocean covered with seagull shit. And this blog “makes Korea look bad”? I’m sure Mr. Marmot knows many sane and reasonable Koreans, as I do, but face it, their voices are being drowned out by the ultranationalist amateurs in their own government. I’m certainly not speaking for the Marmot, but there is occasionally an outbreak of nuttiness here over the issue du jour, and frankly, when you see the video on the BBC or CNN of the endless protests and hysteria, it does look pathetic. Think about it–a country’s international “character” is the sum of images people have of it. If the images are “pathetic,” maybe the country needs to look in the mirror.
I??ve lived in Korea for more than five years, seen my country??s flag torn up and burned on a regular basis
Heh heh, nothing says “third world country” like whooping it up and burning or otherwise desecrating another nation’s flag in front of the TV cameras.
Nothing.
People can have legitimate beefs with the US about a lot of weird shit–import rice, drunken soldiers, Iraq deployments, civilian layoffs, differing thoughts of Nork Nukes, etc.–but when you take it to the streets and start pissing on the flag, you’ve lost all credibility.
Any wonder why no one pays ‘em any attention when they start bitching about wanting to be an equal partner in the alliance?
Gawd, I still remember one of my first exposures to Korea was a CNN report showing students throwing plastic bags of human shit over the walls at Camp Red Cloud.
Oh—-Pilsung Ko-re-a!!!
Finally some logic coming out of the opposition regarding the Roh’s infamous “balancer” speech. This will not make the conservatives popular but she should be the president.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpag.....210230.htm
non korean: “On one level I know Korea will go back to China as a vassal or just be taken over- it is a matter of time. ”
-Your long post was awesome, and your points taken. But I just dont get where you got the idea that a vassal Korea is a matter of time. Could you explain this to me?
If Korea can afford to balance politics in NE Asia, its fine with me. But if that, then I want to see the governmnet acting efficiently, professionaly and successfully. To me, all Roh is doing is shouting and boasting in the nude, to win some public support, while smearing crap on Korea’s face. -_-
The alliance between US and SK is beneficiary, risk-free and saves a lot of money to Korea. If thats a product sold in a supermarket, it would be out sold by now.
Experts say China will reach the status of United States two decades later, with, obviously, lots of problems. Why is Korea risking everything two decades earlier than its suppose to do?
Jaju diplomacy is obviously THE way to go. BUT, Jaju diplomacy does not mean just simply acting independant from US. It means you pursue your own interests. And I think breaking ties with the US equals acting against Korea’s interest (as of right now, at least).
Marmot, you’re too humble and kind with poseurs like hk (check out his blog — you’ll only visit once).
If I were a trading nation locating at a strategic crossroads like Korea, I’d try to keep good ties with all my major partners. But I get a good laugh at the notion of a country that can’t keep its emotions in balance or distinguish its moods from its interests presenting itself as a “balancer”.
“I??m sure Mr. Marmot knows many sane and reasonable Koreans, as I do, but face it, their voices are being drowned out by the ultranationalist amateurs in their own government.”
First let me say that those who understand Korea do appreciate the Marmot.
Second, “sane and reasonable Koreans” are as rare a creature as you can find. Not because we Koreans are somhow inferior, but because generation after generation, we have been politically indocrinated, brainwashed instead of educated. That is, we are not taught HOW to think, but WHAT to think. Subsequently, our collective opinions are based on political myth rather than well-considered analysis.
Witness that our people are going apeshit over a textbook used by less than 1% of Japanese students and is a total financial loss. Watch us declaring diplomatic war on Japan and throwing sensationalist tantrums and speculative accusations of neo-militarism based on nothing more substantial than our prejudiced feelings. Watch us picking a fight over Dokdo - an incident for which we have no one but ourselves to blame for our willful violation of the 1999 treaty we signed with Japan because it benefits us in the balance. See how we turn against the US, which is not only the only ally that has never taken advantage of us for personal gain but actually liberated us, defended us, given us a democratic form of government and helped modernize us. And now watch us attempting to embroil the US and China in our little war of hatred against the Japanese.
Balancer? Ha ha. We don’t even understand the concept of balance and are too self-absorbed to understand international politics apart from our own skewed, solipsistic notions of the world according to Korean indocrination.
Face it - we are our own worst enememy.
Those who least understand Korea are Kyopos, Native Koreans in that order.
I once met Marmot by chance in a small corner shop and his hair wasn’t combed. I didn’t want to say anything to him - to embarrass him - but I did feel uncomfortable talking to him in that state and I thought afterwards that maybe I should have said something. I bet if he were in his own country he wouldn’t do that! That’s the way he is, what can you do? He has his messy hair and his blog. He??s extremely rude and I hate him.
Gee, thanks. That’s why I’m cutting the hair short now. Low maintenance.
How come I don’t see you around the store anymore? You didn’t move, did you?
I just asked you the same question about a week ago.
Ahhh, truth be told….I don’t want anyone to know how many beers I drink so I constantly change purchase locations.
I’m still there. I was down there today and I won a small brown bear from “the claw” machine. No kids around to hand it to so I took it home. Which small restaurant is the best in the group? The one closest to the main street, the one in the middle , or the one closest to the corner shop?
One of these days we’ll make it up the hill together to the place I mentioned.
Mizarv–Right now I’m enjoying your comments quite a bit, playing computer games and having a nice, cold Asahi (hahaha)and counting the seconds before you-know-who comes on to question your “Koreanness”
I really have met many, many ?橫sane and reasonable Koreans,?? including my wife, who obviously has fine taste as well :). She’s sometimes as critical as you, meaning frustrated or embarrassed about Korea, and no offense, but I see some overly harsh self-analysis in this, just as so many Americans can be unanalytical about the right(eousness) of our way of life (I’m from the States)–look at our current president for proof. Korea I’ve found to be a very nice country, and no one is more surprised to hear me say that than Koreans. I wish people here would just “tend their own garden” more instead of complaining about the weeds in their neighbors’ gardens. There’s a strong professional class here, and if Prez Roh and his cronies don’t scare them all out of the country, I think in the coming years you’ll see a measure of balance (not “balancer”) rise up. They’re less heard from because they don’t shout and chop their fingers off, but they are in the sciences, business and even believe it or not the government, only not at the higher levels. I’ve met enough people like this to have a bit of optimism.
hardyandtiny, I miss your blog
Tiny — Try the new one up toward the market stands on the right. Haven’t tried the ???????, but the do good bibimbaps and an outstanding ???????.
“Outer Koguryo Autonomous Region” Now that’s funny, in a tense, nervous kind of ouch-that-hurts kinda way, not “comic,” for those who want to be offended.
The irony of the rhetoric coming from “HK” is that it doesn’t take Korea seriously. Korea is not a real country in his eyes, like France or Argentina or Iraq or China or Singapore or Canada, and no one ever asks anyone to submit “credentials” for approval before BSing about any of those. Instead of being a real place where real people live real everyday lives, Korea to “HK” is an ethnic studies exercise, a self-empowerment device to be kept sheltered from wider circulation and touched only by people he approves of who say things he approves of.
There are a lot of people with a very idealized and orientialist view of Korea, one that is not uncommon in certain quarters. Margaret Cho comes to mind, see here: http://margaretcho.net/blog/kimsunil.htm
If someone is BSing about Germany, for example, you don’t ask what his credentials are. You challenge what he actually says or you ignore him. HK doesn’t have what it takes to challenge Marmot for what he says and doesn’t want to ignore him, so HK decides that Korea is a special place that you need a license to talk about. What are HK’s credentials, that he thinks he owns Korea like is own plantation?
I’m known for my disgust with much of the discourse about Korea in English and particularly when it comes to the internet and the blogosphere it would be helpful if more people tried to make sense of what they don’t understand instead of just ranting. A lot of talk about Korea is just downright stupid and ignorant, but the reason that sticks out so prominently is because there just isn’t much that’s better. I think that’s a problem that will correct itself with time. HK thinks people just shouldn’t talk about Korea at all, perhaps because doesn’t have anything helpful himself to say about Korea or about what’s said about it. I think it’s nuts and arrogant to act like you own Korea, but even HK is entitled to his own opinion.
The Marmot’s credentials are this: he has a brain. If you don’t like what he says then take him to task for what he says or do better.
HK,
Wow, what a total tard. Marmot’s credentials have been discussed time and time again on his blog. If you had read it for more than a day or so, you’d know that.
I’m still trying to figure out how to make enough time on my next trip to Korea to meet all of these great bloggers.
I didnt’ know you had to have “credentials” to have your own blog.
Who cares about credentials? As long as you have an opinion that you can contribute, nobody needs “credentials”.
Tarion
Thanks for the comment:) What I meant by vassal is not the exact same as the traditional sense of the word where Korea use to pay tribute to China. But similar in that Korea would do whatever China said in fear that China would just assume take it over if they didn’t. I hear a lot from some left wing Koreans that Korea is the 51st state of the US and that Korea always has to do what the U.S. wants. Don’t get me wrong, the US does have influence with Korea, but there is never a fear of the US doing something like take over Korea or anything harsh. The US has other countries thumb their noses at the US all the time, just look at France’s national past time, and the US usually takes it very well. China wouldn’t take it at all.
I agree that right now there is no reason to break ties with the US.
Only in the future when and IF there is a China with a Democratic tradition of 10 years or more would I recommend Korea getting into China’s sphere of influence more and loosening ties somewhat with the US. But right now China is not Democratic and has no qualms taking over countries and not giving them back to the people of that country- just ask Tibet. Roh is incapable of professionally doing a balancing act, and Korea has to be careful trying to balance with an undemocratic China. Playing with the US is safe and beneficial. Playing with China right now is like playing with fire- it just might consume you. It is not worth the risk and should not be tried at this time or Korea would become a vassal state of China.
Let’s say China goes democratic, why would Korea need to loosen ties with the US? It seems to me, the more eggs you have in your basket, the better off you are.
Non-Korean and SaHwaDong,
Many Koreans agree that the U.S. is the best thing that happend to Korea in Korea’s five thousand year old history. Koreans never had it this good.
Now, stupid Rho and his cronies are kicking off the rice bowl that is given to him for free. When will these kids grow up and see the world as it is? For small country like Korea, no protection means getting eaten up.
Many in his administration have been brain washed by Communist literature and on top of that some Berkeley-educated hippies joined in to say that Korea does not need the U.S. They say, “Cold war days are over. The world community will protect Korea.” What world community? UN? EU?
Coming days will show them how wrong they are.
Two very interesting opinions:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com.....09013.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com.....09013.html
hardyandtiny, I miss your blog
Comment by Michael
Thanks Michael, maybe I’ll try something again. Then I won’t have to fill up Marmot’s blog with aigoo (rhetoric).
I actually have a blog, but there are no posts on it. It’s called namsanboy.
mr marmot, mr orankay, that finnish person with lots of ‘a’s in his name, mr laapittaan(?)…
now add mr lirelou. not looking for total love of koreans. looking for balance.
I actually have a blog, but there are no posts on it.
It’s probably still more interesting than 90% of the blogs out there.
Someone wrote something about kyopos who live in the US who bitch and whine about the US. Let’s see a link to some of these sites. I for one, have not seen a blog like this.
That’s the thing… English teachers are the only people I know of that move to a foreign country while complaining about how much that country sucks. Can’t you find employment back home then? I mean, they don’t even pay you that much in Korea (and no… $30k after tax is not a lot… that’s what a high school kid makes). Surely, you can find a better paying job here in America.
HK: English teachers are the only people I know of that move to a foreign country while complaining about how much that country sucks.
I suggest you get to know more people then.
HK: Can??t you find employment back home then? I mean, they don??t even pay you that much in Korea (and no?? $30k after tax is not a lot??? that??s what a high school kid makes). Surely, you can find a better paying job here in America.
Beats me. Ask an English teacher.
Actually 30k U.S. Dollars annually after taxes is quite a nice wage in South Korea. While South Korea’s per capita income based on purchasing power parity is around 18k per year, the raw exchange is only I believe close to 14k per year. So if one were to make 30k U.S. Dollars in South Korea, it is over 2 times the average salary and making one firmly middle class. To juxtapose it with America, earning 30k U.S. dollars would be the equivalent of nearly earning 70k dollars in America, a respectable income by anyone’s measurements.
Teachers further benefit from a housing clause in their contracts. This single item represents a savings of thousands of dollars to a teacher per year, relative to a teaching position in Canada or the US. Of course, conditions of housing vary, and I do not mean to suggest that what teachers get is ‘easy money’ (I don’t mean to suggest the opposite, either), but it’s significant nonetheless.
Factor in tax-free status in a teacher’s home country (while paying significantly lower taxes to the Korean government), and it’s easy to see that teachers are not paid poorly, whether by the standards of their home country or the teaching profession.
For most of these teachers, such considerations are never consciously considered. As Jing notes (although I wouldn’t use his calculus), it is the teacher’s income in relation to per-capita income which marks their capacity to spend or save.
Let’s quit slagging and get back to the thread:
Sa Hwa Dong wrote
[Let??s say China goes democratic, why would Korea need to loosen ties with the US? It seems to me, the more eggs you have in your basket, the better off you are.]
I agree with your logic, but do you really think that that’s what’s likely to happen? It seems to me that Korea’s passionate embrace of ideas or issues leaves little room for any other to compete, so I could as easily see Korea-US relations languishing, while Korea-China relations develop at pace.
It makes sense for South Korea (aka Outer Gaogouli Autonomous Region) to be China’s buffer region - that’s the role it’s served for hundreds of years. I don’t think the Chinese actually think of Korea (North or South) as a balancer, though. It’s more like a speed bump.
‘if china becomes democratic, why would korea have to move away from the us?’ sa hwa dong
doesn’t matter if china becomes a democracy since the us (most likely under republican presidents) will do whatever it can to prevent china from becoming a superpower. therefore the central question for korea is how it can best benefit from the coming antagonism between the dragon and the eagle. japan has chosen sides too quickly. korea should not make the same mistake.
Sa Hwa Dong. I’m not saying Korea should move away from the US, only that it could in the future IF there was a democratic tradition in China. Korea should be friends with both in that case. If Korea was unified and there was a democratic China, there might not be a need for US troops and the alliance does not have to be as strong as it is today (correction as it was a few years ago).
Noolji. I think it is a huge mistake for Korea to play both sides at this point. Over a hundred years ago Korea was trying to play sides with a few sharks and was taken over. Right now China is a shark and the US is a puppy dog. Play with the puppy dog until that shark turns into a dolphin- if it ever does. If not you might be a sharks dinner AGAIN. Don’t repeat the same mistakes of Korea’s past.
It is up to China if they will ever be a superpower- not the US. If China becomes a truly democratic nation not bent on taking over other countries and not giving them back, the US and China can coexist very well. Again that is a big IF.
Marmot -
No, I don??t have to explain anything to you.
[...]
Jesus, first Gerry with the ?橫I??m avoiding sensitive topics,?? and now you with the ??I??m trying to make Korea look bad.?? As I said before, I have no intention what so ever of explaining myself to you. I will say, however, that if you don??t like my blog, don??t read it…[snip]
Look on the bright side. It at least means that lots of people give a damn about what you say and think they mean something. Nobody sure as hell asks ME what MY credentials are or question MY accountability for the stuff I write.
Ditto your post, Non Korean.
I like to add one more thing.
You forgot to mention China is still a poor country. China’s per-capita income is about 1/20 of Korea’s. Poor countries when they become your master, they take your stuff: your jobs, your cars, your houses, your food and your women.
Moving close to China is a big mistake.
For HK, just take a look at the modelminority.com or soompi.com forums. You can find many kindred spirits there.