Comments on: Teach English to NK defectors (nevermind) http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/ Korea... in Blog Format Wed, 9 Jul 2008 07:04:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: adinfinitum http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44607 adinfinitum Fri, 28 Jul 2006 01:32:24 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44607 "and the implied idea that only Koreans can truly understand their fellow Koreans" That's funny. I'm sure there are Koreans who would also make the same irrational assumption about Westerners who just happen to be ethnically Korean (as if cultural knowledge and language skills were passed down genetically). No, sorry, I'm not your "brother". You never fully understand how "un-Korean" you are until you actually spend some time in the country. At this point, North Korean defectors might have an easier time talking politics and such with a westernized Korean or a Westerner of Korean descent (i.e. the ones who recognize the abhorrent criminality of the N. Korean regime and also feel out of place in S. Korea despite "looking" like everybody else). “and the implied idea that only Koreans can truly understand their fellow Koreans”

That’s funny. I’m sure there are Koreans who would also make the same irrational assumption about Westerners who just happen to be ethnically Korean (as if cultural knowledge and language skills were passed down genetically). No, sorry, I’m not your “brother”. You never fully understand how “un-Korean” you are until you actually spend some time in the country. At this point, North Korean defectors might have an easier time talking politics and such with a westernized Korean or a Westerner of Korean descent (i.e. the ones who recognize the abhorrent criminality of the N. Korean regime and also feel out of place in S. Korea despite “looking” like everybody else).

]]> By: sewing http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44582 sewing Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:04:59 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44582 I meant to add a clause: Despite all the northern propaganda about the purity of the Korean race and its only slightly less insidious manifestations in the south—<i>and the implied idea that only Koreans can truly understand their fellow Koreans</i>—defectors might perhaps be able to relate to foreigners, since they are both newcomers to South Korea? I meant to add a clause:

Despite all the northern propaganda about the purity of the Korean race and its only slightly less insidious manifestations in the south—and the implied idea that only Koreans can truly understand their fellow Koreans—defectors might perhaps be able to relate to foreigners, since they are both newcomers to South Korea?

]]> By: sewing http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44580 sewing Thu, 27 Jul 2006 20:40:14 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44580 Actually, having "foreigner[s] ... help them with skills they might need in the future" is not a bad idea. Despite all the northern propaganda about the purity of the Korean race—and its only slightly less insidious manifestations in the south—defectors might perhaps be able to relate to foreigners, since they are both newcomers to South Korea? I dunno, just an idle thought. Actually, having “foreigner[s] … help them with skills they might need in the future” is not a bad idea. Despite all the northern propaganda about the purity of the Korean race—and its only slightly less insidious manifestations in the south—defectors might perhaps be able to relate to foreigners, since they are both newcomers to South Korea?

I dunno, just an idle thought.

]]> By: Juggertha http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44560 Juggertha Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:23:56 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44560 As a regular at LiNK meetings I will tell any interested... this is not an organized affair (yet). We often have North Koreans at our meetings and their number one complaint about being in the South is a lack of friendships. They are lonely. Partnering up with a foreigner who can maybe help them with skills they might need in the future (they also complain about not understanding all the English used in the South) might just help in some of their transition. And, ya just might make a friend while you're at it. As a regular at LiNK meetings I will tell any interested… this is not an organized affair (yet). We often have North Koreans at our meetings and their number one complaint about being in the South is a lack of friendships.

They are lonely.

Partnering up with a foreigner who can maybe help them with skills they might need in the future (they also complain about not understanding all the English used in the South) might just help in some of their transition.

And, ya just might make a friend while you’re at it.

]]> By: The Korea Liberator » LiNK Update http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44556 The Korea Liberator » LiNK Update Thu, 27 Jul 2006 11:45:40 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44556 [...] Lot of great stuff over at the LiNK site, including a video. Keep scrolling. If you live in Seoul, Andy Jackson is asking for volunteers to teach English to North Korean refugees (I use the term intentionally). It’s easy to miss the potential importance of this, but English is key to connecting North Koreans to the greater world and allowing them to describe their experiences in their own words. [...] [...] Lot of great stuff over at the LiNK site, including a video. Keep scrolling. If you live in Seoul, Andy Jackson is asking for volunteers to teach English to North Korean refugees (I use the term intentionally). It’s easy to miss the potential importance of this, but English is key to connecting North Koreans to the greater world and allowing them to describe their experiences in their own words. [...]

]]> By: Andy Jackson http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44529 Andy Jackson Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:10:35 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44529 Galbijim, You will have to ask the organizers. I have no idea. Galbijim,

You will have to ask the organizers. I have no idea.

]]> By: galbijim http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44527 galbijim Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:00:42 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44527 I'd do it if I knew that the class was going to be 100% North Korean with no chance of a door opening up and seeing the children of the South Korean organizers being covertly smuggled into the back of the class. I’d do it if I knew that the class was going to be 100% North Korean with no chance of a door opening up and seeing the children of the South Korean organizers being covertly smuggled into the back of the class.

]]> By: Are You NKay? :: Teach English to North Koreans :: July :: 2006 The North Korean Human Rights Movement from the perspective of a LiNK member http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44523 Are You NKay? :: Teach English to North Koreans :: July :: 2006 The North Korean Human Rights Movement from the perspective of a LiNK member Thu, 27 Jul 2006 05:14:31 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44523 [...] (Via. The Marmot) It’s better than learning North Korean history in school again. Filed under: LiNK @ 1:14 am [...] [...] (Via. The Marmot) It’s better than learning North Korean history in school again. Filed under: LiNK @ 1:14 am [...]

]]> By: Ray http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44500 Ray Thu, 27 Jul 2006 03:47:59 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44500 That sounds like a super-interesting job. I'd take it in a heartbeat if I needed one... Doesn't anyone think putting fresh NK defectors in f*cking SEOUL is a bit overwhelming for them? Is Seoul even where they ship them to after they're through running? I mean, as opposed to somewhere out in the country a little less hectic (and capitalist) and whatnot... just for some adjustment. That sounds like a super-interesting job. I’d take it in a heartbeat if I needed one…

Doesn’t anyone think putting fresh NK defectors in f*cking SEOUL is a bit overwhelming for them? Is Seoul even where they ship them to after they’re through running? I mean, as opposed to somewhere out in the country a little less hectic (and capitalist) and whatnot… just for some adjustment.

]]> By: Juggertha http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44497 Juggertha Thu, 27 Jul 2006 03:32:26 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/07/27/teach-english-to-nk-defectors/#comment-44497 Actually, a lot of the defectors live "around Seoul", that is to say in Gyonggi-do. If you are on the outskirts and want to help out... e-mail away. Actually, a lot of the defectors live “around Seoul”, that is to say in Gyonggi-do.

If you are on the outskirts and want to help out… e-mail away.

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