New Hermit Kingdom arises

By Andrew Salmon

One hundred and six years after the Kingdom of Joseon (1392-1910) fell to the dominant globalizing force of its day ― aggressive colonialism ― another country is assuming the mantle of "The Hermit Kingdom."

In a national referendum, the United Kingdom voted itself out of the world's most ambitious globalization project, the European Union (EU). Detaching themselves from the largest free-trade, free-travel and free-residence zone on earth, Britons ignored all advice from political, diplomatic and economic experts.

Shock followed shock. After the prime minister resigned, the leaders of the "Leave" campaign admitted that they had no plans on how to execute the "Brexit" they had demanded. In the face of this staggering confession, the breaking of their major campaign promises and the downfall of their oafish leader were minor developments.

The U.K. is now spinning in a vortex of crises ― political, constitutional, diplomatic and economic ― that are, in sum, greater than any challenge it has faced since World War II.

Politically: the prime minister has resigned and the major political parties are in turmoil. Constitutionally: Scotland seems determined to depart from the U.K. if the U.K. departs from the EU. Diplomatically: the U.K.'s erstwhile European partners are talking tough about extrication negotiations. Economically: the U.K.'s credit ratings have been slashed, the pound sterling has plunged and investment is frozen.

Essentially, the U.K. has sodomized itself with an ill-judged, myopic and prejudiced decision.

The referendum showcases the danger of emotive nationalism and populist politics. The U.K. is a representative democracy: we vote for informed people ("politicians") to make hard decisions. In this case, representative democracy was bypassed and the vote shoved down to the public. They voted "Leave" ― demonstrating that if there is one thing worse than politicians, it is an empowered but ill-informed populace.

The Brexiters made two emotive arguments.

One: the U.K.'s sovereignty has been eroded by the EU. This is a nonsensical lie believed by dolts and morons. The U.K. joined the EU, freely and independently. It has democratic governance, sovereign armed forces, a national currency and central bank and a judiciary that practices native Common Law. Yes, the U.K. is subject to EU rules, but implements them via its own legal framework. Moreover, business ― subject to far more regulation than the average Nigel ― is pro-Remain.

Two: the U.K. is swamped by immigrants. This universal issue does not impact only the U.K.: U.N. 2014 data showed more refugees worldwide than at any time since 1945. The U.K. is the world's fifth-largest economy and, as a humanitarian nation, cannot just do nothing (albeit, the world's third- and 11th-largest economies, Japan and South Korea, have largely closed their doors to refugees). Meanwhile, EU immigrants contribute more to the British exchequer than they take. This makes arguments against them look foolish, nationalist or plain racist.

Demographically, it was the old and the uneducated, led by knaves and scoundrels, who voted "Leave." Result? A shameful statement on the character of a people who once prided themselves on outward looking, internationalist perspectives.

So: what lessons does the "new" Hermit Kingdom offer the "original" Hermit Kingdom?

Even in 21st century Korea, populist nationalism still simmers. Economic nationalism ― from farmers rallying against the Uruguay Round in the 1990s, to the recent 360-degree assault on a foreign investor who dared challenge a Samsung management decision ― ebbs and flows. Political/diplomatic nationalism, seen in anti-Americanism in 2002 and 2008, and in anti-Japaneseism today, is easily ignited.

The Joseon "Hermit Kingdom" and neighboring China (the "sick man of Asia") suffered hugely after closing their doors to the world; they ended up colonized, in whole or in part. By resisting globalization, they fell victim to global forces.

Fast forward to today: Few nations have benefited more from globalization than Korea. Colonization has disappeared, replaced by international trade. Trade laid the foundation for Korea's "economic miracle" of the 1960s-70s and the resultant enrichment (arguably) empowered Korea's middle class, laying the foundation for 1987's "political miracle."

Meanwhile, there is another 21st century Hermit Kingdom. As with the U.K., North Korea's disastrous national policy is steered by elite villains and a national media which promotes angry, defensive nationalism while rallying their uninformed public behind shrill calls for sovereignty. The costs of this strategy to the Kimdom's people have been immense. The costs to the British people will be less catastrophic, but heavy nonetheless.

Globalization has costs ― uncompetitive workers and industries are left stranded by global competitors and developments ― but these are outweighed by its benefits. South Koreans should beware of populist nationalism and question the motives of those who fan this dangerous force in their polity, economy and society.

Learn from the decrepit North Korea and the storm-tossed (dis)United Kingdom: Don't ever turn your back on the wider world.

Andrew Salmon is a Seoul-based reporter and author. Reach him at andrewcsalmon@yahoo.co.uk.