Opinion - The Korea Times

Rude Britannia

By Andrew Salmon There was a time when Britons sang “Rule Britannia” and it meant something. British hard power waned but with British soft power flooding the world, “Cool Britannia” was a fair millennial replacement. Given recent events, however, the nation might be more accurately branded with a new strap line: “Rude Britannia.” The world gazed on in astonishment as a nation of supposed tea sippers and hat tippers plunged into anarchy. Eradicated were images of retired majors, firm-but-gentle nannies and Hugh Grant fops. Instead, a new Britain ― a Britain of inner city depredation, feral youth and nihilistic violence ― cavorted manically across television screens worldwide. Those familiar with the UK might have been shocked, but not surprised. After all, this is the nation where the Friday night piss-up and the Saturday night punch-up are as much a part of the national tapestry as royal weddings and village-green cricket matches. And it is not as if we have never suffered public disorder before. One of the UK’s gifts to the world is football hooliganism, and the na

Aug 22, 2011By Andrew Salmon

Andrew Salmon

’Koncrete’ Korea

By Andrew Salmon It is an odd fact that the traditional gardens of the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) were notable for their essential wilderness. While their English, Italian and Japanese counterparts showcase carefully planned layouts, the uncultivated design of Joseon gardens with their light human touch reflected Korean appreciation of nature in its purest form. Why is this odd? Because even a cursory glance at Korea a century later makes clear that respect for wilderness has been burned out of the national psyche. Today, nature is to be tamed and mastered — not appreciated — hence a national love affair with concrete that has grown so passionate that it is encroaching even upon supposedly green spaces. For years, I visited Seoul’s Hyochang Park. This used to be a wooded hillside, dotted with the tombs of independence fighters. No longer. Every time I visit, new “improvements” have pushed nature ever further back; more paths, more fences, more play areas, more gardens. Still, at least Hyochang has some greenery. There are alleged “parks” in Seoul that

Aug 8, 2011By Andrew Salmon

Andrew Salmon

Activists, tiger wives and Murdoch

By Andrew Salmon Take a spiraling-out-of-control media scandal and add a mogul who is nationally reviled. Carefully place both in a parliamentary hearing. After simmering for some minutes over medium heat, add two further ingredients: A publicity-seeking cretin and a kung-fu superwife who is determined to defend her man. Shake, stir, pour. What do you get? A surprising new turn in the U.K.’s phone-hacking saga. Things went un-according to plan when a self-appointed mouthpiece of public indignation and self-described comedian, Jonathon May-Marbles, infiltrated a parliamentary hearing to launch a custard pie at News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch. (To those readers who took issue with a recent column bemoaning the appalling state of the U.K.’s public services, I ask you this: This man was not a crack al-Qaida operative ― thank God ― but how could a fool armed with a custard pie manage to infiltrate and disrupt the nation’s highest-profile hearing, in the Houses of Parliament? Dare I suggest incompetence on the part of the relevant authorities? But I digress). May-Marb

Jul 25, 2011By Andrew Salmon

Andrew Salmon

Beautiful, ugly and great Koreans

By Andrew Salmon As my legions of regular readers will be aware (hi mum, I know you are reading this) I have recently been traveling in France and the UK. As the thermometer climbs, the tourism season is well underway, and Western Europe is overrun with international tourists. Though they may be outnumbered by the omnipresent Chinese, I have been struck by the behavior and appearance of the Korean travelers one can’t help encountering at airports, railway and subway stations. The members of this tribe are predominantly in their 20s and 30s. They are largely youths, couples and young families. Most seem to speak at least a smattering of French or English; some speak these languages very well indeed. Virtually all are good looking, impeccably and well-mannered: In short, these Kims, Parks and Lees are a credit to their country. What a wonderful change they make from the Korean tourists of a decade or so ago! I shudder to recall the ajumma and ajeossi tour groups of those days. They were gruff, noisy, woefully dressed. They were pushy, ill-mannered, and culturally inse

Jul 11, 2011By Andrew Salmon

Andrew Salmon

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Rude Britannia

’Koncrete’ Korea

Activists, tiger wives and Murdoch

Beautiful, ugly and great Koreans

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