By Shim Jae-yun

Jasmine Lee, the first lawmaker with an ethnic background, captures a new Korea in the making _ a society that is changing from homogenous into multicultural.

If Korea passes the Jasmine test, it would mean the nation is well on its way to a diverse, vibrant Korea, where differences between people act as a catalyst rather than obstacle.

When talking to the ruling Saenuri Party lawmaker during an interview Friday, she first looked assuring and then sounded reassuring that we are heading in the right direction. Her presence in the National Assembly is after all as much the outcome of her personal endeavor as the unmistakable evolution of Korea’s globalization track.

It was her broad smile that disarmed the interlocutor.

Then, it was her story about her son that indicated her smile was not a sign of weakness but proof of strength.

When he was a little schoolboy, his classmates called him a monkey, obviously referring to his preference for bananas, she said. Her son’s response was “Yes, we are monkeys: So what?”

Reflecting her son’s spirit and assuming she has it “like mother, like son,” Lee wouldn’t be affected by a small reminder that she may need more time to make Korea her home.

In contrast to luxurious offices of other lawmakers, Lee’s one, located in the old National Assembly Members Building, looked Spartan and barren in comparison. An office belonging to a stalwart Saenuri lawmaker was packed with congratulating potted orchids and wreaths.

It didn’t doubt her because she has a mission to accomplish.

“I hope the positive mind will be contagious to all the people,” she said.

The way she talked would make one reconsider the meaning of our homogeneity. Perhaps, she is trying as hard to make herself part of us as to make us part of her.

More importantly, she gave us a moment to think about ourselves.

Koreans have a relatively strong homogeneous tendency under the influence of a farm culture.

We are far from being totally homogeneous, given brisk exchanges with foreign people from ancient times including numerous invasions by outside forces.

Compared to the past, we are rapidly becoming a multicultural society with a growing number of people becoming naturalized. They are no longer foreigners.