"Myeongdong notes: All after a writer's trip to Korea"
Its been long time for this writer to do this note after his trip to Korea. Originally a family affair for the lenten season, this writer did enjoy another moment abroad, although marred by some problems that for him ought to shrug it away.
That journey, started from Palm sunday and endth in the Easter, made this writer sought everything that would would say showcases that country's culture in an era of total modernity. Of electronics, fashion, drama, music, even food and the places that somehow provideth Korea to the world a n immense contribution.
And how come? That by seeing modern structures and of inherited traditions, of korean pop music and of historical dramas played, this person would say that Korea is trying to make things modern serve the interest of the Korean people, hence enriches its identity as a growing nation.
Clinging to its roots in an era of "modernity"
It is unsurprising that south Korea is fast becoming a tourist destination. With its pop culture taken the world by storm from radio, television, internet, its restaurants, and its diaspora, one would say that these entices people to visit a country whose long standing tradition that's side by side by its modern-day counterpart.For as this writer first time to stepped in Seoul, stayed in Myeongdong district, visited a studio, temple, and even the border, he noticed that the country tries its best to keep firm in its roots despite its showcase of pop culture being shown throughout: of old palaces surrounded with modern buildings, of Korean dramas showcasing its history, this writer finds the country seriously trying to adheres in its image of being a progressive yet rooted nation.
For the fact that south Korea has been making headlines in recent years in tech, automotive, and in entertainment sectors, Korean brands like LG, Samsung, Hyundai became globally recognised brands, and people taketh time to watch its dramas, listening to Kpop, eating their food, and perhaps talking to Koreans that entices them to visit that "land of the morning calm."
However, despite this ever growing modernisation that's happening, this writer would say that a generation of Koreans are becoming cosmopolitan no matter it tries to be rooted in its identity by promoting its culture. For despite its pressure from fellow Asiatic neighbours and those from the United States and its ever prevailing consumerist culture, Korea, being a growing nation, trieth to stand firm in making its generation less materialistic, all despite the fact that in every surrounding lies things that evades Koreans from carrying its value and hence becoming materialistic as any other Asiatic who got a taste of modernity.
But come to think of this, Korea did a lot of copying its neighbours long before it created its own. Its animation for example, it copied its Japanese neighbour alot to the extent being called as cheap knockoffs; that its automobiles, electronic devices were also being called as copycats as LG, Samsung, Hyundai, and other companies trieth to break from being merchants in order to become industrialists especially during the protectionist era of Park Chung Hee.
And thanks to him pragmatically speaking for making Korea taking in that kind of developmentalist path, enticing foreign investors to invest while shunning suggestions from World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to dissuade from industrialising itself, all despite the fact that the drivel was more like overpowering its northern neighbour whose "self reliance" hath been the statement of those days.
And thanks to him pragmatically speaking for making Korea taking in that kind of developmentalist path, enticing foreign investors to invest while shunning suggestions from World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to dissuade from industrialising itself, all despite the fact that the drivel was more like overpowering its northern neighbour whose "self reliance" hath been the statement of those days.
And to think that Park Chung Hee, like its northern neighbour leader Kim Il Sung trieth to set forth foundations of Korean-style development, would say that their version of political will was almost a führerprinzip one, that at times disregarding its limits to promote development by decree, whilst on the other hand hath to depend on the whims of its western master to have a go signal to proceed with these goals-starting with meeting their demands for uniforms, boots, for repairing electronics, anything that the once trader suddenly engages in manufacturing, hence transforming a country from being agro-commercial to an industralised nation.
Imagine, should national development be limited to those of agriculture, commerce and trade? Nope, should Korea, as any other developing country that wishes true economic and even social development be at the mercy of monelylenders? Nope as well; and to think that there are politicians who required legislators to give a "go signal"in order to proceed with their developmentalist agenda, there are also those who trying to stood against its way; but with a leader whose decision was as almost "above the law", then it really took a "hard" decision to make Korea undertaketh its action to be developed, to make Seoul be as progressive as any other Asian cities including those of Manila.
However, this doesn't mean it diminishes its dependency on the west- for behind its façade of development Korea still has its agreements one would say as unjust especially those from the United States. These agreements may've been a stumbling block to the desired reunification with its northern neighbour, that amidst its struggle through self reliance, of encountering famine and floods in a terrain mostly unsuitable for growing food also afforded to create an atmosphere of their own modernity in Pyongyang.
And like its southern neighbour, north Korea also adheres in preserving its heritage despite its atmosphere deemed "hostile" by the west. After all, like other former socialist countries they are socially conservative when it comes to their culture.
And some still clinging into their cherished faiths
And like its southern neighbour, north Korea also adheres in preserving its heritage despite its atmosphere deemed "hostile" by the west. After all, like other former socialist countries they are socially conservative when it comes to their culture.
And some still clinging into their cherished faiths
But despite these, this person would say that his vacation did satisfy regardless of some minor problems encountered. While on the other hand, given that the event was situated in the middle of Lent would say that this person, being a Catholic, was obliged to visit Myeongdong cathedral to reflect from his past deeds and misdeeds aside from praying for some spiritual guidance- and end taking pictures and also encountering Filipinos doing their "Visita Iglesia" praying and reflecting at the stations of the cross. There were other tourists as well, mostly focusing on the sightseeing aspect, taking pictures and looking at the church's gothic structure that made the place iconic as those of their ages-old temples. He did also encounter some nuns as well, which reminds of a friend (also a Korean nun under the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) who continues along with her fellow sisters and lay colleagues (including yours truly) to engage in both religious and social work in Quezon City.
And in speaking of Buddhism, at one time this writer did visit Jogyesa temple for some reflection- that includes lighting incense, some prayers, aside from observing its parishoners praying their mantras, counting their prayer beads, and all-that somehow made this person say that these people are trying to control their minds and introspect themselves in order to attain their much needed "inner peace" in an ever materialistic world. Jogyesa Temple used to be known as Gakhwangsa Temple which was founded in 1395. During the Japanese colonial invasion of 1910-1945, the temple become one of the strongest fortresses of Korean Buddhism. The name Jogyesa was chosen to denote the structure's status as the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (Buddhist sect which combines and integrates the Korean Zen and Textual Schools of Buddhism).
"Why not follow their direction
if most Filipinos enjoy their progress?"
And thus, unsurprising for yours truly. Like Hong Kong and Japan of the past decades, there are Filipinos would dare to explore those places, enjoy its cuisine, and to some extent, having the idea of working in those same countries whose people would somehow willing to "pay more" than those at home. In fact, a Filipino who stayed in Korea for years, acting as a tour guide, happened to be a former factory worker in a furniture factory, whose hard work, adaptability, and a good knowledge of English attained her a good rank, and a husband who happened to be the owner's son. From there she opened a business, offered jobs to Filipinos, and even promoted a culture of hard work, cooperation, and perseverance that idealised by some owners and managers alike.
For life in Korea is such a really hard work, and that most Filipinos had to get contented just to earn hard in order for their families live a better life- for 50000 won is equivalent to 50 dollars, hence two thousand pesos. But come to think of this: Koreans did follow that same route as Filipinos many decades ago, they were working in France, Germany, engaging in hard labour, whose hard earned Francs and Marks all been remitted to the government just to sustain their country's desire for development as well as those of their families.Thus, in thinking that austere kind of living, of hard earned money for a good life at home, then why not follow like the Koreans do? Of building a better nation as above those of themselves as individuals? This is not about the need for an outsider to assist a developing country with capital, but rather a need for a strong political will to attain such lofty demands as theirs-like let's just say disregarding someone else's suggestions in order to set up steel mills, engage in industrialisation, exceed productivity levels, real food security, etc. their experiences says it all somehow.
But the irony is this: Koreans do also have a share of corrupt personages and despots who despite promoting things "developmental" also has it's soiled, bloodied hands. Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan for example- they did promote an atmosphere of stability, but at the same time infamous because of their oppression, in fact Park end assassinated by his former intelligence chief, Chun end imprisoned, even Park's daughter, who also happened to be president several years ago, end ousted and imprisoned as well. Justice seemed to be swift for them regardless of their "achievements"- while Filipinos be like it doesn't matter about the "mistakes" so long as they use their infrastructures.
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To cut this note short, this person prays that genuine reconciliation may pave way to a lasting reunification of the two Koreas. Hope that a United Korea, the Choson that's cherished for generations may not just prosper but also to continually cultivate a sense of justice, equality, self reliance, and an active neutrality amongst neighbours.
It may sound common, for knowing that as this person sought the Demilitarised Zone with its barbed wire borders, bunkers, and guardhouses, it seems that security hath been a serious issue for decades, brought about by its earlier conflicts brought by two contesting views of east and west; what more of its leaders whose version of reunification as either based on justice, or plain simple absorption whose problems be passed on the other as its consequence. The former East Germany still has its problems tho, and still trying to resolve it.
But admittingly speaking, this person admiringly looks at the North with its drivel for self reliance. true that there were numerous mistakes and shortcomings mainstream audiences blamed on its guiding view of Juche and Songun. But as Kim Jong Un created a new chapter for this country of his one would say that Pyongyang has changed alot no matter how critics, or rather say hecklers tend to describe it as a potemkin villahe of sorts, as opposed to their positive views of its southern neighbour, with all its materialistic grandeur.
Meanwhile, the south continues to thrive in its own expertise, driven by its desire to be in par with its neighbours, as Seoul and other cities be renouned with its myriad of technologies to those of its pomotion of culture, then no wonder why the south for others be Korea than "south Korea."
Yet come to think of this, its progress started from disobeying suggestions from the west with its moneylenders, and by building its own steel mill and other related manufacutures, of supporting farmers evenly for food security, of accommodating demands from its allies for their needs like the United States for its military goods, most of its companies, originally trader by nature, hath become producers of their own right; and familiar names like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, as well as others continues to manufacture goods that not just to accommodate its domestic needs but also those of the world market.
But again this doesn't change this person's view on the North promoting its right to defend its homeland, its culture, and its will for a just and peaceful reunification with its southern neighbour. Hope that the barriers continue to dismantle two and fro as talks continue smoothly, with principles to maintain.