The New York Times has a fascinating story about how South Korea is struggling to embrace its new, more colorful reality.
Globalization has recently brought an influx of foreigners into this once homogeneous society, a place where 42 percent of respondents in a 2008 survey said they had never once spoken with a foreigner. And the transition hasn’t been easy. The article explores the possible origins of the nation’s racial hostility.
In South Korea, a country repeatedly invaded and subjugated by its bigger neighbors, people’s racial outlooks have been colored by “pure-blood” nationalism as well as traditional patriarchal mores, said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociologist at Chonbuk National University.
Have you had any experiences with racial discrimination in South Korea? Please share your thoughts.
Photo via NY Times.
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LOL Arturo is an idiot ..
@
jstele
i said
“Wake up delusional Koreans! Realize that foreigners look down on you.” – As I said Korean men in particular are the most insecure bunch. No wonder domestic violence in Korean culture isn’t uncommon. ”
in response mike’s post. you seem to echo his sentiment also.
“Your ignorance just shows that you lack the appreciation, respect, and true understanding that is required for marriage with a Korean woman, so I suggest you date non-Koreans. You are not a suitable partner for a Korean woman with your attitude.”
Now you’re assuming and echoing the sentiments of the other nationalistic koreans. I’ve probably had more korean partners than you have. So that puts your theory to moot. Just look around at all those white washed Koreans. Yeah they’re everywhere clinging on to their white knights. O yeah those American koreans also look down on their own koreans. So bite me.
Arturo,
“Look at all the korean women flocking to White men and even other races also. Koreans are just behind Filipinos in interracial dating in terms of all Asian. Thats fact.”
I’d like to know where you got these “facts” from as that has not been what I’ve seen based on experience and statistics.
“As I said Korean men in particular are the most insecure bunch. No wonder domestic violence in Korean culture isn’t uncommon.”
And yet you criticize others for being racist? Look in the mirror. I have no problems with two individuals falling in love from different cultures. But do your homework first and don’t be so casual about who you date. Just because you like someone does not mean you are a suitable partner for them. I think it’s important for people to marry someone who understands their culture, identity, and family background. That’s why it’s generally recommended for Koreans to marry other Koreans. Has nothing to do with hate. Your ignorance just shows that you lack the appreciation, respect, and true understanding that is required for marriage with a Korean woman, so I suggest you date non-Koreans. You are not a suitable partner for a Korean woman with your attitude.
Comments 2,3 and 4 is just the type of people the article reeks about.
“as Korea becomes the hub of Asia.”–really you think…
“you are desolving your culture into the dominant white. You should know better.” — Korean men are the most insecure. I mean on a daily basis here in American they are LBH… Look at all the korean women flocking to White men and even other races also. Koreans are just behind Filipinos in interracial dating in terms of all Asian. Thats fact.
“Wake up delusional Koreans! Realize that foreigners look down on you.” – As I said Korean men in particular are the most insecure bunch. No wonder domestic violence in Korean culture isn’t uncommon.
If Koreans only knew why these foreigners are interested in Korea, then they won’t be so welcoming with open arms. Majority of the foreigners, especially the whites, are LBH, Losers Back Home, where they couldn’t make it in their own respective countries, and have to emigrate to economically rising Asian country to get a start. Plus, most of these white guys are “too” interested in Confucianism where women were taught to be obedient and submissive to men, and they know how Koreans look up to white people, so they try to take advantage of that fact. It is so sad to see Korea changing from a once culturally proud, culturally protective country to what they delude themselves as a global country. That only means being heavily influenced by a western world, where even white people make fun of Koreans on how they’re copying western culture to a point that it’s becoming pathetic to watch. It has nothing to do with becoming global but once again a victim to outside “soft” invasions. Wake up delusional Koreans! Realize that foreigners look down on you.
Koreans should avoid neo colonialism and intermixing as much as possible because it results in the loss of our culture. Take a good look at mixed race kids, they dont really identify with their minority sides (if youve ever read their thoughts on hapa sites). If youve ever taken a class on social political history and post colonial frameworks youll know not to fall for the westernization crap the non-asians feed you. You are not being ‘international’ or more ‘global’ by interdating or marrying. You are desolving your culture into the dominant white. You should know better.
There will be racism in Korea because other surrounding nations continuously tried to invade Korea. Just as America has experienced racism, there will be racism; yet, I feel that this phase will mature much quicker than that of America as Korea becomes the hub of Asia.
Wow…What an interesting article. S. Korea has some soul searching to do. The old and new generations are clashing on this issue. Thing is, South Korea is a country that is developing very quickly, in many different ways. I believe the racial landscape will vastly change again in the next few years, with more and more people supporting racial tolerance.
Key stat in the article: “In just the past seven years, the number of foreign residents has doubled, to 1.2 million, even as the country’s population of 48.7 million is expected to drop sharply in coming decades because of its low birth rate.” If this trend continues, the push for more racial equality and legislation, especially from the younger generations, is sure to come.