There was an article on the front page of today’s Korea Herald that may provide a glimpse at just how different things are over here:
More than three out of every 10 Koreans regard violence as a more effective solution to problems than the law, showed a survey released yesterday.
Asked whether violence could be the answer to problems that communication or the law could not solve, 565 people, or 37.5 percent of the respondents, answered in the affirmative, according to the survey by the Korean Institute of Criminology.
The article reports that just 28 percent of respondents “showed a clear objection to the use of violence.” Seriously, people? Take a vacation or something, okay? It’s gonna be alright.
Comments
Very scary! Vicious cycle of behavior.
haha and on the other side of the spectrum (seriously, this is amazing. if you go to Japan and see these, you HAVE (HAVE TO!) to buy one for me): http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20japan.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=japan%20crime%20manhole&st=cse
what’s the scale of violence though? getting in someone’s face and cussing them out, physical abuse, or acts of war? i can see people getting fed up with the sunshine policy if this question is on the engagement/containment spectrum, or is this pure individual behavior/interactions that this study’s looking at?
PS happy valentines day!
Ellen, I think the study was more focused on personal conflicts, but that mentality certainly might play a role in their attitudes of the DPRK.
We almost forgot about Valentine’s Day (not much of a spectacle here), until we came in Friday morning and all the kids had brought chocolates to share. I then proceeded to dampen the mood by attempting to explain Friday the 13th. Later in the day, I had rain leaking trough my window (“Teacher! Water many!”), so I guess the bad luck also applies in East Asia.
Hi Katie and Greg! My laptop is dying so I hope you get this message. What a fantastic world you two are living in. I am awed by the spirit of adventure you have…and as a person looking at retirement, quite jealous.
You guys rock!!!! Please, keep yourselves safe.
Your space is so interesting on the aspects of Asian culture.
Gotta go…need to water many!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxallie
Great pics on Thailand. You both look fantastic. Try and visit India before you return in the fall – Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Goa … any or all. And stop playing with the monkeys – filthy little beasts. Smell like cabbage.