Red flag for S. Korean President

When former Korean President Roh Moo Hyun left office in February 2008, he was exceptionally unpopular and it is with great expectations that the Korean people elected current President Lee Myung Bak.

Former Seoul mayor and successful businessman as well as CEO, Lee Myung Bak won the December 2007 elections with 48.7% of the votes. Interestingly enough, he was at the time investigated for accusations related to fraud and “his” (sturdily debated) Korean now-defunct investment firm BBK.

Throughout his campaign, Lee emphasized the need for better cooperation with neighbor countries such as Japan, China and Russia.

As opposed to his predecessor Roh Moo Hyun, Lee implemented a tougher policy with North Korea. And unlike Roh – who had a rather dire relationship with the US – Lee turned out to be very pro-American.

He suggested that ALL teachers in public schools across Korea should learn English – be it a math, Korean, or even science teacher. He even hinted that Korean English teachers should be required to train in English-speaking countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

Koreans are not very fond of that idea. Though they do already push their kids to learn English (sometimes way too hard, “for their own good”), they also understand that the survival of the Korean culture and language would be at stake should Lee’s plan succeed.

For that and the following reasons, Lee Myung Bak’s popularity took a dive in the past few months. When I mention him in class, students roll their eyes. When I discuss politics with the elderly, they immediately get critical of their President.

Though Koreans are a mix of Christians, Buddhists and Atheists, most Koreans think of themselves as fundamentally Buddhist (i.e. do no harm and love everything). The fact that Lee Myung Bak is Christian has led some to believe this might present a threat to Buddhism in Korea… (?)

Moreover, Koreans are very concerned with the currently fragile economy, and while Lee promised to address that issue during his political campaign, he still hasn’t shown satisfying results (well, numbers) to his people. One of his answers actually echoes US President’s discourse – that is, “people need to work harder.” Go tell a homeless that, or an unemployed mother supporting 3 kids, and see what they have to say (or spray!)
Not to mention that the price of gas has more than doubled over the past year... it is now 1 900won/litre. Massive protests (especially truck drivers) have been held all over Korea.

Lee has also ignored the agreements previously made by the North-South summit, preferring to pursue a hardline policy toward Kim Jong Il’s government. While Roh’s approach might have been wayyyy too soft and flexible, Lee’s is wayyy too strict. Most Koreans want a reunification, and considerable progress had been made under the former President’s reign. But with Lee’s hard-line policy, who knows what might even happen to the "sunshine policy"...
The import of US beef has also become an important issue - especially recently, since thousands of Koreans have held daily protests in Gwanghwamun. Most of them were peaceful (holding candles) but some have been quite violent as well. Koreans are protesting against an agreement with Washington to reopen South Korea to American beef, banned for most of the past 4 1/2 years over fears of mad cow disease.
Another hot issue is Lee's idea of building a canal that would go from Busan (Korea's main import/export harbour) all the way up to Seoul. He thinks it's a good alternative to carry commercial goods.
But most Koreans disagree. They think it will only cost them more money. Moreover, why build a canal when things are perfectly fine the way they are, using trucks, airplanes and trains? Plus, such a project would also greatly damage the environment.

Lee has mostly appointed very wealthy members in his cabinet, thus raising concern that his appointees will favor policies that protect the rich while failing to address the needs of the underprivileged.

Lee Myung Bak was elected by the Korean people because he is an example of what a little boy coming from a poor family can do. Him becoming a very successful businessman and politician certainly gave hope to the nation. Anyone can be a Lee Myung Bak!

But it seems like they didn’t expect him to bring his wealthy, strict and rather pro-American style into politics. Not that soon anyway. And now they’re not sure whether they like it or not.
refs: wikipedia, koreans, hani.co.kr, koreaherald.co.kr
pic: google images

Love my life

Yo llevo en el cuerpo un motor
Que nunca deja de rolar
Yo llevo en el alma un camino
Destinado a nunca llegar
- Manu Chao "Desaparecido"

A fortune teller in Seoul told me that it is my destiny to travel around forever and simply be free. It could have been a wild guess, but he might be right.

Ever since Patrice arrived almost two weeks ago, I have been rediscovering Korea and realized that the daily life of an “explorer” is indeed out of the ordinary.


Be it the unique and tasty food, jawbone massagers (intended to pull back face fat…), 90-degree bent hard-working Korean ajummas in the countryside, breath-taking beaches, mellow sunsets, Korean customs, Korean language (which I understand more and more), walking around naked in saunas, my adorable Korean students, my crazy lovely foreign friends, life here is just another layover in this magnificent world.



May was quite a busy month with Korean holidays such as Buddha’s birthday and Children’s Day, as well as Parents’ Day and Teacher’s Day, not to mention the Western Mother’s Day, my brother’s birthday, my godmother’s birthday, Danila and Chantale’s birthdays, and my very own birthday. Phew.

A lot of great celebrations, a bump on my head and bruises all over my body, a memorable beach party and oh-so much exhaustion. I flew to Seoul to spend a few days with Patrice and bring him with me to Jeju in a hurly-burly charter in which I feared for my life at least twice.

Tiny little birds I’ve seen, lilacs I’ve smelled and gorgeous green leaves are coming out. It’s summer, I’m in love and happy! It freaks me out to realize that yet another year has almost gone by and my head is filled with colors, tastes, music and great memories. And “Hello!!” of course ;)

Only 3 months left – during which my parents are visiting and I’m taking diving lessons. The beach is calling though the water is not warm enough yet, and I don’t know what’s next… India? California? Banff? Australia? How could I ever settle when the world is so wonderful and full of surprises?

Speaking of which… has anyone heard of Loveland? It’s a big park on Jeju island where one can find sex shops and observe giant sex statues for only 7$. Priceless I swear, especially since sex appears to be such a taboo in Korean culture… NOT at Loveland though! We saw Korean couples with kids and strollers posing in front of giant boobies.

Warning: rather explicit pictures...!
















They even had a parked car with inflatable dolls in it, a bra and some panties hanging off the rear mirror, the speaker playing sounds of a moaning woman while the car’s springs were going “couik couik” are the car was bouncing to the rhythm of a couple making love...