While the point of this blog is to observe the country and occasionally make a few notes and comments, I also note a couple of articles that speak for themselves. I think these make a useful backdrop to field notes I'm making - helps to put it in perspective.
Union Leader makes a dramatic statement.
In order to emphasise his commitment to the cause of worker rights, a Hyundai Motor union leader finished a speech with the exclamation mark provided by an axe - with which he cut off his finger. Full marks for dedication but maybe 'nul points' for a calm and reasonable approach to negotiation.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/08/117_92980.html
South Korea has highest Suicide rate in the world.
No comment on this, just very sad and hard to understand.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/04/17/VI2010041703497.html?sid=ST2010041703106
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Interesting articles, the one with the finger cutting thing is expected in a Martial Art movie, to be reported in the Korea Times is a diffrent story! is Honour and pride a big thing in the Korean culture?
ReplyDeleteAs for the high rate of suicide, I wonder what the causes could be, I wasn't able to view the video! oh and blogger.com has been blocked at work!!!
Yes, it might be about honour and pride but remember the dark side of this - in nearby Japan it is the Yakuza who cut their fingers off. It is still about honour, but it is the honour of thieves.
ReplyDeleteMy simple explanation is that he is just a bit of a drama queen. Apparently there are union elections coming up soon and Mr 4-Fingers' post has a big salary. He saw the axe as a type of job insurance.
I'm going to look into the suicide thing a bit more to find out where it is happening, you know - age, gender, class, etc. This fascinates me, this sudden rise within the past 15 years from peaceful idyll to suicide paradise.
Should have thought of that ....trying to save his job! who's gonna fire him now he's chopped off a finger! lol
ReplyDeleteI am going to pull a Daode here and say: are you going to write anything anytime soon? ;)
ReplyDeleteSoon.
ReplyDeleteI have slowly started to realise my responsibilities to post the next story but I am conflicted with work responsibilities - Conflicted, I say! (to copy the style of a writer of whom I'm growing fond).
It was a working weekend, trying desperately to get ready for a trip to Osaka/Kobe. Now rushing for the airport. But during the flight is a great time and place to write.
Soon.
Great! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of your travels! jealous I tell ya! ;)
lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure you should be jealous on this trip. Although it is Japan, it is way out in the hills, the back of beyond. Three hours by train to get here. No flashing lights from Shinjuku, no jazz clubs, no bustle of the city. Just a lake, some mountains and a few rice fields. Which would be great if I weren't in the office all day.