thoughts about session 9, Jennifer Jung-Kim, June 1, Korea since 1945

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Hi all,

Please share your thoughts!

-Xin

[Anonymous]

It was interesting to see how modernized Korea is and how it is even more modernized than New York City. I did not know this.

[Anonymous]

Korea is a very fascinating place. I think that I still feel a bit ignorant of this country. I think part of the reason why is because there are two histories that are in this region. Same people, same language, same history (prior to 1945)n but then it diverges. Truly fascinating how the two sides are so vastly superior and how the '"accident" of occupation dictated their destinies.

[Anonymous]

I learned a lot about Korea from Dr. Jung-Kim. She certainly painted a different picture of American involvment in Korea than I was aware of. You don't get this information from the newspapers or television coverage. Her lecture reassured me that North and South Korea were much less combative towards one another than I had imagined, and left me wondering about our government's role in immediately laying the blame on North Korea.

[Anonymous]

So much light has been shed on North and South Korea by Dr. Jung-Kim that I will be eternally grateful. I was really fascinated and horrified that Koreans had to take on Japanese names during the period from 1931-45 and were forbidden to speak Korean, their native language in public! I think this was more of a domination process versus an assimilation. I know what it feels like to be stripped of your cultural identity being African-American. Such atrocities suffered since the inception of mankind makes me lose hope for humans to just co-exist peacefully.

[Anonymous]

Another wonderful lecture. I liked all the questions my colleagues came up with- why is English so prevalent? My question! How do people afford coming to America to study (kids and moms?), etc. How quickly social norms are changing (two gay characters in major television dramas). I liked seeing stars like Rain and that girl group, all of whom I think I've been seeing on my Korean channel lately (Rain for sure at least)...

can you believe---

"Megan Fox Snubbed by Korean Pop Star, Rain"
(from the Inquisitor)

"This will be an ego bruise for Megan Fox, who publicly expressed a fancy for Raine, saying of her persuit: “I’m really on his situation now. I’m trying to fix this up. I’m working hard.”

Ouch!

[Anonymous]

I appreciated understanding the idea of the future for North and South Korea. That each part would retain their own identity and create a confederation that would formally normalize relations. It is my "fantasy" that would lead to a softening of the Communist ideology of North Korea. We have witnessed this softening in other hard line nations. I also think that technology exposes North Korea to capitalism. I think families traveling
back and forth would also create more communication. The fact that the next line of potential leaders have been educated in Switzerland means that they have been taught many moderate ideas. We have seen some of this in both China and the Soviet Union. And after this class I'm going to Disneyland.

[Anonymous]

Modern South Korea was very exciting to learn about, especially the big corporations like Hyundai. I sometimes forget how influential they are. Even though I see Hyundai cars advertised on TVs, I usually disregard them because they are "Korean" made. Of course, I would prefer German cars over Korean cars . However, like Japan, who was unknown in automobile world when they first started, I think I see a bright future for Korea if they continue to make reliable products. I thought it was more provoking to learn about North Korea though because it is such a mysterious nation. I think the people of North Korea are as clueless of the world as the world is clueless of them. No one really knows what goes on in that country because they are so secretive. There is definitely a lot more to learn about them. I thought it was interesting to be reminded that North Korea has diplomatic ties with a lot of other countries and have access to numerous resources. Indeed, they are powerful in one way or another, otherwise they would have been swashed a long time ago. They are significant.

[Anonymous]

I found this lecture on Korea far more intrigueing than the previous one. The discussion on the relationship between North and South Korea was truly fantastic. This is a topic that Americans eat up like cake. Having an expert on the topic come in and shed some light was eye opening.

[Anonymous]

By the way, I feel like I should apolgize to the class for my slightly inappropriate remark regarding the "mass starvation" of the North Korean people. On the other hand, that was some seriously funny stuff.

[Anonymous]

It was an interesting class. I am curious to see how the Korea submarine story is going to pan out. I was really to hear about the findings of the Japanese journalist and the US sub that was sunk.

I like learning about the different leaders of Korea. It is quite amazing that a person without a college education can pass the Korean Bar exam. It was also interesting to learn about Korea. I disagree with speaker about Kim Jong Il. I really think he is plain nuts.

[Anonymous]

Like I said in class, I knew almost nothing about North or South Korea. It was interesting to learn about the problems between North and South Korea. My question is, do the people of North Korea know anything about how other people see their lives? Do they see the quality of life of the South Koreans and feel cheated by their leader? Or are they totally blacked out from all information so they think their lives are pretty good?

[Anonymous]

A great lecture by Professor Kim. I was really interested in all of the corruption of the Korean leaders. It read like a soap opera. I guess politics and corruption go hand in hand everywhere you go.
It was also interesting learning about some of the theories regarding the recent bombing of South Korea's Submarine.
I am really glad I am taking this class because before, I also mixed up North and South Korea but now I see the distinct difference between them.
It does seem like the best solutions for the Koreas is to exist as two states.

[Anonymous]

Korea is a fascinating country and when I hear Jennifer speak about how modern it is part of me wants to go and live there and teach there, but then I start thinking about the polution and population density and how I would go insane living in such and environment. None the less it would be a fascinating country to visit one day.

[Anonymous]

Professor Jung-Kim brought interesting and insightful perspectives on the history and therefore current situation in Korea. Its great to have someone with such intimate and thorough knowledge of the subject matter share their experiences and insights. It brings life to the subject matter.

[Author]

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