Korea 2032: Back to the future

By David Tizzard

Earlier in the week, President Moon gave a speech to 150,000 people at the start of the Mass Games in North Korea. He also posed for pictures in front of the Taedong River, smiling as the Juche Tower stood in the background. More symbolically, he then journeyed in a private jet to Mount Baekdu – a location considered sacred to those infused with revolutionary and mythological fervor.

Nuclear weapons and posed photos aside, there were mushrooms sent south, a magician specializing in feats of decapitation, and continued talk of excessive lip balm use. Accompanying President Moon to these various places around North Korea was an entourage of businessmen and influential South Korean leaders. Samsung's Lee Jae-yong was seen at all these various events north of the 38, posing for pictures alongside Won Taek, haed of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Hong Seok-hyun, former head of the company that helped bring about Park Guen-hye's eventual impeachment, and SK Chairman Chey Tae-won.

While Moon Jae-in will eventually have to step down as South Korean president according to the constitution which currently only allows for one five-year term to be served, those other men and women that joined the President in North Korea will no doubt continue to play a very large role in shaping Korean society, both economically and culturally.

And with the two Koreas now seemingly acting more and more as one, it has been announced that a joint bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2032 is underway. If such things seem improbable, one must remember the strong Olympic history here. South Korea remains one of only 9 countries to have previously hosted both the Summer and Winter Games. The two Koreas have marched together at various events under the same flag, competing in some events as one united team. And, at various stages, North Korea also offered to host selected events during 1988 and 2018 only to ultimately be refused.

PyeongChang was seen as a great success, but it was nearly very different. Thomas Bach the IOC President had suggested that the city only hold the Games if North Korea were to play a role. Under the previous administration that was never going to happen with tensions as high as ever. However, cometh the Olympics, cometh the man. And since then the white peace doves have not been engulfed in flames but rather flying all across our televisions.

Should the Koreas press forward with their bid, it makes one consider what Korea might actually look like in 2032. What will the next 14 years bring to the Korean Peninsula?

While many social observers in these very pages see a society here spiraling out of control, gripped by individualism, gluttony, sexual perversions and other social phenomena, I see a society very much making progress. Progress implying advancements at the individual level rather than towards utopian ideals best saved for science-fiction or soviet dystopias.

Much was made, rightly or wrongly, of the small conflicts that occurred at the recent queer festival parades in Seoul and Incheon. However, the fact that these expressions of celebration have become larger each year should be considered a sign of growing acceptance and diversity.

The group of mostly elderly people that gather at events professing their love for former president Park Geun-hye, waving American and the occasional Israeli flag, are often mocked by many. And yet, importantly, they are allowed to give voice to their political expression even if it may be a clear minority opinion.

These are not isolated incidents and both Kwanghwamun and the Blue House's internet boards have become hotbeds of political, social, and cultural expression. And, long may it continue.

For that is probably the true difference between the two Koreas at the moment. Both have impressive looking capital cities. Both have a population very much in love with their country. Both eat, speak, and live in the Korean language.

But only here in the South are people free to make mistakes in their attempts to discover who they are. Only here in the South are people able to stand in the street and suggest that the leaders might be wrong in their approaches to various subjects. Only here in the South do foreigners and citizens alike cast a critical eye on the society and offer their observations. And only here in the South are the people of the country given control over their own futures.

That did not come easily here. Some might say it hasn't yet truly arrived. Or that it might contain certain downsides. All of which may be true. But a growing sense of individual responsibility is certainly present among its people and that is the change I think which most divides this nation and what is most necessary to unite them, should they wish it.

So in 2032, what will this land look like? I don't truly know. Hopefully there won't be pumas roaming the streets and the capital up north looks like it will have an ‘e' in its name going forward.

But it will be interesting to know what the people both sides of the still heavily militarized border think. For it is their country and there will be a whole host of opinions, dreams, concerns, and challenges to face. And when they are faced and discussed who will be talking? Will we be listening to the opinions of 50-odd million people here in the South? Or of 74 million people of the peninsula?

David Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) is an assistant professor at Seoul Women's University and host of TBS eFM's cultural radio show "A Little of a Lot." The show can be heard every Sunday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on 101.3 FM or downloaded via online platforms such as iTunes and Podbang.