I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
'Iran is not our enemy'
Iranians, some wearing face masks, go shopping around Tehran's grand bazaar in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday. / EPA-Yonhap
By Kang Hyun-kyung
'The Way Time Goes by in Iran' calls for realistic Iran policy
By Kang Hyun-kyung
How much do we know about Iran? How do we know what we've been told about Iran is true?
“The Way Time Goes by in Iran” published by Hani Books raises these two questions and author Yu Dal-seung tries to answer them based on his first-hand experiences with Iranians and their culture during his years of stay in two different time periods ― first in the 1990s as a doctoral degree student and then last year when he returned as a visiting scholar.
Telling the stories of Iranians and their culture is one of the two core parts of the book. The author also shares his insights into U.S.-Iran relations which shifted in 1979 after some 50 Americans _ diplomats and civilians _ were held hostage for 444 days during the Iranian Revolution, trying to draw practical lessons for Korean policymakers when they build a foreign policy toward Iran and other parts of the Middle East.
“The Way Time Goes by in Iran” is a rare book about the Middle Eastern country written by a Korean. Yu's new book is informative as it untangles Iran, its culture and diplomatic tensions with the United States with his thorough analysis of international affairs.
Yu, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Department of Iranian Language, claims that Iran is misrepresented in the Western media and this contributes to Koreans' inaccurate perceptions of the country. “Iranians are portrayed as being nationalistic and anti-Western culture. I think this is not based on facts,” he says. “Iranian people wearing blue jeans are spotted everywhere in the streets and Nike is one of the most popular brands in Iran. Coca-Cola and Pepsi, two symbolic American soft drink brands, dominate the Iranian market.”
The author cites Iranians' concept of time as one of the unique characteristics that distinguish them from Westerners, as well as Koreans.
Back in 1993 when he was a Ph.D. student at the University of Tehran, Yu said he tried to set a meeting time and place with his Iranian classmate who generously allowed him to use his academic material. “I tried to know exactly what time and where we were to meet the day after to return his material back to him but he simply said 'No worries. We'll see tomorrow' and then left,” his book reads. “The next day at 2 p.m., we accidentally met at the university. He said 'I told you we would meet anyway and now you see I was right. He went on to say he and I didn't have to set an exact time and place for our appointment because we would meet.'”
Yu said he realized the way Iranians make appointments has not changed since, mentioning his return to the country in 2019, 26 years later. “Nothing has changed in the way they set meetings. Regarding time, they only have time options ― morning, afternoon or evening ― without specific hours, and no one tells what time and exactly where we're to meet,” he says. “Don't get me wrong. This doesn't mean that Iranians are lazy or uncivilized.”
He added Iranians are delicate, careful and specific regarding procedures and they have lots of discussions with all parties involved before making final decisions.
Yu explains that cultural differences between Westerners and Iranians comes partly from the nomadic and settled people's lifestyles.
Settled life is more predictable than nomadic, he says. “Settled people are relatively easier to predict what would happen when it comes to seasons and thus they can plan ahead and expect what will happen next season,” the book reads. “But this is not the case for nomadic people. Nomads travel from one place to another in search of pastures for their herds. So compared to settled people, the nomadic lifestyle is unpredictable as they have to deal with man-made adversities and threats in addition to natural changes.”
“The Way Time Goes by in Iran” by Yu Dal-seung
The author says some Westerners' inaccurate descriptions of Iran's history ― whether intended or not ― also play a part to deepen the gap between the real Iran and how it is perceived by people outside the country.
He blames the 2006 box office hit movie “300” for distorting perceptions. “History is written by, and for a victor. Thus, history is exaggerated in favor of victors and they are portrayed as rightful and just people. War is simplified as a clash between good and evil,” his book reads. “For these reasons, history is subject to constant changes depending on who won the war. The hit movie 300 creates a new ideology. Today filmmakers play a part to reinterpret history.”
Yu claims U.S. foreign policy is partially responsible for Middle Eastern tensions, saying the U.S. government characterizes Iran as its enemy following the collapse of its Cold War archrival Soviet Union. Oil politics are also behind the U.S.-Iran tensions, according to the author.
“The Way Time Goes by in Iran” urges Korean policy makers to be realistic and prudent when dealing with Iran. He says Korea needs to act based on national interest, rather than siding with the United States, urging the government to promote bilateral relations in culture, art and sports. “Iran is not our enemy,” he says.
Yu earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Tehran, becoming the first foreigner to earn a doctoral degree in Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He has published several books and numerous academic papers about Iran and its relations with Korea.