Choose Korea: 2020

By David Tizzard

It has been said by Viktor Frankl and Friedrich Nietzsche among others that if man has a “why” to live for, he can endure almost any “how”.

So as South Korea enters the second decade of the 21st century, it is worth posing the question to the Korean people, “What is the “why” for which you are living?”

From a materialist perspective, South Korea is a rip-roaring success. Yes, it might be struggling somewhat economically of late but more broadly the last half century has seen a remarkable transformation in the people’s monetary fortunes.

No longer is a casual greeting, “Have you eaten?” Now, houses are generally warmed, fridges are stocked, and the Wi-Fi runs freely and quickly.

Moreover, people no longer fear the police or the authorities. The government is not a figure of totalitarian tendencies and torture to be avoided lest one be dragged to Namsan.

Instead, policies are now being debated for the welfare and prosperity of the citizens. Of course the decisions and policies do not please everyone – and nor should they – but recent discussions have centered on a great many subjects, not least justice, order, and the protection of minorities.

This is done in a democratic manner which puts much else of Northeast Asia to shame. For all those protesting about the perceived flaws of either the current or the previous administration here, it is worth remembering that such protests would not only not be allowed elsewhere in the region, they would not even be considered because of the suppressive and suffocating nature of the powers that be.

South Korea – for all its faults, which are many – is still a fantastic country.

As a journalist or a social media user, it is easy to go through the week highlighting the various injustices, incidences of perceived bigotry, or hypocritical behavior in the country. But to do so not only changes your big data algorithm, it also changes the way you see the world – forever on the search for the next shocking story to retweet and gain those likes.

But then we miss out on all that is good. All that is noble: filled with love. Things that carry meaning and thus symbolize the very heights of which humans are capable.

South Korea is the freest country in Northeast Asia. You have a problem with the government? Write a song about it. You dislike a policy? Explain it on twitter. You don’t like the way the news is presented? Start your own channel and say what’s on your mind.

That’s a pretty cool thing. It’s also pretty rare around here.

And speaking of cool, in terms of soft power, with Bong Joon-ho, Son Heung-min, recent novelists, and a whole host of K-pop idols ready to dazzle, it leaves its neighbors and rivals squinting before its fabulous luminescence.

No longer is the word “Korea” associated with bombs, gulags, totalitarianism, and ill-fitting communist suits on a succession of rather portly leaders from a country that regularly suffers famine and malnourishment.

Korea is now beauty. It’s style. It’s Seouling-U whether you like it or not.

And so where does it go next?

I rarely, if ever, write prescriptively in my articles in the Korea Times because I believe it is not my place to suggest to Koreans how to run Korea. Nevertheless, at the risk of being accused of mansplaining or white privileging, I might today humbly put forward two things which would help the country better situate itself towards the goals “it” chooses.

First, it’s simply got to elect better leaders. Or, it’s got to at least make politics more attractive to better people.

A recent report showed that 1 in 3 candidates (447 out of 1593) for the Legislative Elections in April have been convicted of violent crimes – such as the sexual assault of minors, distribution of pornography, assault, and prostitution. Add on to this a whole host of drink-driving and financial crimes.

To repeat, they are the people running for election and asking for your support and votes.

If one wonders why the sentences in the Korean judicial system often seem rather surprising and arbitrary – be it 33 years for an ex-President or being let off with a slapped wrist for molka-related activities – consider that all these people above with convictions are those responsible for making and carrying out the country’s laws.

The country needs to think rationally and logically about which people in wants in power and work towards making that happen, for we are risking the lives and well-being of our children if not.

The second thing I think that would benefit the country is to abandon the current focus on gerontocracy. Yes age brings with it some wisdom, but it does not necessarily mean it always understands how the “modern world” works.

There is far too big a focus on respect and authority only being given to those with gray hair, be it figuratively or literally. This, in turn, is making Korea a society that is still living with one foot in the past.

Park Chung-hee’s shadow still looms over the country in many ways, not least with the law stating that any president here must be over 40 years old – a clause enacted to keep his young political rivals out of power, and that still holds today.

It would be really interesting to see what this country would become were the keys to the house given to a group of 30-year olds as has been seen in other countries such as Finland and New Zealand.

I’m not sure it could do much worse economically. And it would probably have a greater understanding of what’s actually going on in the world – be it on the subway, on the internet, in the universities, or on the computers and laptops we are now using to order our food in restaurants and coffee shops.

Quite simply then, the country should focus on getting better and younger people moving towards positions of power rather than simply chasing money, fame, or wallowing in neologisms and nihilism.

Everyone can still have different goals, different meanings in their lives, different hopes and aspirations, but perhaps it can happen under a younger, more vibrant, and technologically-savvy leadership.

With the uniquely democratic setup here in South Korea, the choice is there for people. Choose ddeokbokki and die. Choose hell Joseon. Choose raymen and Netflix. Choose nothing.

Or choose an even brighter and more infinite future. Today.

David Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) is an assistant professor at Seoul Women's University. He also presents economic and cultural issues on "Business Now" on TBS eFM (101.3FM) live every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.