Understanding Korea Better

Dear editor,

I enjoyed reading the April 11-12 op-ed article, ``Korea Is Strange, Indeed,'' written by Ray Stevens.

As a Korean, I fully understand the writer and I am also embarrassed with some Koreans' way of treating foreigners.

Stevens pointed to many things about ugly Koreans. That's good, as Koreans should know themselves in order to fit into the global world.

However, the author should try to understand why Korean people act like that before writing articles. Korea has been industrialized and developed so fast, but, sadly, global etiquette could not catch up with that speed, especially for middle-aged men and women.

Koreans think that education is the best policy to keep up with world growth. And Korea's sad history, like war, caused groupthink. As one can see, Confucianism focuses on ``respect,'' not ``face.'' It teaches how to respect teachers, the aged and parents.

It would be great if the writer researched Koreans to understand them better. I think foreigners' feedback, such as Stevens' article, will help Koreans to be better.

But his article is his personal opinion, not every foreigners' thoughts. I have seen many foreigners enjoying their stay here in Korea.

Choi Hoon

Seoul