Lee's Blue House Blue

This course is certainly about North Korea, but it is also important to know its brethren South Korea. As we discussed recent tumultuous political situation of South Korea briefly in class,

thousands of people have taken to streets of downtown Seoul to protest against the President Lee Myung-bak and his decision to renew U.S. beef import. Considering the fact that he won the election by a landslide and took office last Feb., this was such a unprecedented downturn, Prof. Larsen mentioned the other day. Obviously, the matter of how to placate people has emerged as a key question for Lee's administration. The TIME conducted an interview the President Lee at the Blue House on the 3rd Jun, 2008. You can check out the interview by clicking the link below.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1811896-1,00.html

While watching the news from South Korea, this makes me feel somewhat pathetic. Becasue I had to unwillingly witness disunited and factious Korea from this recent phenomenon, reminding me of gloomy moments, the conflict between North and South Korea from 1945-1950. Understandably, this may represent differential dynamics of unyielding Koreans, if I focus only on postive sides. However, regardless of the matter; what is right and what is wrong, Koreans should realize that it is equally significant to admit and respect others who have different opinions. In that point, the current situation shown in South Korea appeared to be grievously polarized. Ironically, this is also a great contrast to North Korea.