In early January of this year, a research committee was tapped to start drawing up “specific construction plans” for the project. The proposed route would connect Geoje Island near Busan to Karatsu in northwestern Japan by an undersea tunnel (209km). It would be the longest undersea tunnel in the world and one of the most impressive engineering feats of the 21st century. (The Channel Tunnel is only 50km long)

For many Koreans though, the thought of such a connection invokes memories and emotions of a dark and violent past under Japanese colonial rule and under no circumstances would I ever suggest that those feelings are not justified. They are. This is understandably a very touchy and delicate issue which has clearly been reflected in its 30 years of rocky debate. I don’t think comments like this are justified.

“…project’s opponents say Korea would gain nothing from a tunnel, and it would only end up helping Japan advance into the continent. Choi Yeol, a professor of urban engineering at Pusan National University, said, “An undersea tunnel would add a Japan-size sphere of influence to the southeastern region of Korea. But Japan could extend its sphere to the Eurasian continent. That means the two countries would have disproportionate spheres of influence.”

I do think, however, that bridging the two nations would not only set a course towards a more trustful relationship between the old foes, but would also diversify South Korea’s economy, ease trade costs, tourist industry and improve its image around the world.

Some say the project carries a 200 trillion won price tag and, considering the state of the economy right now, even discussing such plans smacks of irresponsibility. Others point out the absurdity of building an undersea tunnel in a hotbed of seismic activity is enough to scrap the entire plan. Both of those points are valid and will need to be addressed, but if the project is deemed feasible and safe, the benefits severely outweigh the drawbacks.

South Korea has tried tirelessly to push their current “Korean Sparkling” tourism campaign. Seoul is getting facelifts and feverishly vying for a larger share of the northeastern Asian tourist industry, but is still seeing very little fruit for their troubles. The industry in essentially centered around Seoul and, for many reasons, is simply not attracting a substantial amount of non-Asian tourists.

As of now, Korea is locked in a battle of trying to prove itself as a world tourist destination which is clearly demonstrated by the slew of sales angles presented in their promotional commercials (here, here and here). The tunnel could potentially provide some direction. If the tunnel is built, Korea will no longer have to focus its resources on introducing Korea to the world’s tourists. Instead, they can appeal to the tourists who are already Korea-bound.

As we know, Japan is a well-established tourist destination and by easing access from Japan to Korea, it unlocks a passageway for tourists in Japan (as well as Japanese citizens) to come to Korea with little hassle. Not only would the headache and cost of air travel be eliminated, the lure of riding on the largest and most modern undersea tunnel would certainly be enticing enough that many tourists would certainly include a few days in Korea on their itinerary. And with the arrival city in Korea being somewhere other than Seoul, more opportunities for Korea to establish itself as a multifaceted tourist destination will be opened. Cities like Busan and Daegu will experience booms as well as smaller “unknown” cities all around the peninsula.

A properly managed influx of tourists is certain to have long-lasting effects on the nation’s image. This is one of the best ways Korea could maximize its exposure. By having a steady flow of tourists from around the world, Korea will have the opportunity to impress upon them just how modern, exciting and even business-friendly Korea has become. Gone will be the days when Korea must make its case as a vacation spot to the rest of world. All corners of the nation will become lively destinations and hotspots and as more people discover all that Korea has to offer, the government will finally start spreading its resources more evenly among its cities. Universities will open or move campuses, business would relocate their headquarters and finally Korea would become a country with more than one city.

The possibilities are endless and the advantages that Korea will receive from such a project would create positive ripples that none of us can fully predict. The battle ahead is still long and there will be a lot of political mudslinging and banter along the way, but I sincerely believe that Korea and Japan will come to an agreement, and that that will be a victory for this nation.

To be continued…

It’s very foolish to do drugs in Korea. In fact, it’s downright stupid. And if you gotta do it then at least wait until Korea is a memory. Between strict laws, witch-hunting Korean citizens and the risk of deportation, there is very little lure for the level-headed expats here. Still, some do it. For the average Korean citizen, the punishment is even worse both legally and socially.

In class this week, we’re talking about drug laws, sentencing and a few other related topics, so today I started with a little open discussion about the perception of drugs in Korea, and marijuana was immediately brought up by one of the younger, “hipper” students. (Roboseyo has a funny little write up on his confusion with marijuana and the film “Marley and Me”.)

The student was speaking very openly about marijuana consumption in front of the class and even had to gall to ask me if I could assist him in his quest. I immediately told him to stop his inquisition, that that was not the aim of the discussion. I have no idea where one gets it anything in Korea, nor do I care to know. I don’t want to deal with finger-pointing and he seemed to get the picture for about five minutes. But why was he so comfortable asking me in the first place?

When it comes to drugs, this man, like many of my students, has a very simplistic understanding of foreigners and foreign culture. Just as he was taught by mass culture, he believes most teachers are addicted to some sort of drug. The manner in which he was speaking to me resonated in stereotyped behavior and (outdated) drug-related colloquialisms. Having never been involved in any sort of Western counter-culture, he felt it was acceptable to ask for pot in front of an entire class while casually propositioning me to “travel to the US, get some marijuana and sell it to his friends in Hongdae”. Why in the world would this guy ask such an outrageous thing in front of his peers? I was and still am baffled.

My theories:

1) He’s been indirectly exposed (not involved) to enough elements of Western counter-culture (probably television and film) that his curiosity now outweighs all of his naturally-honed Korean ability to fear all drugs.

2) He has such a warped idea of Western culture, from which he believes all of us to be involved with drugs and, since we are all addicted, it seemed acceptable to casually approach me in class as if he were simply asking for a higher grade. (Most likely)

3) He is a mole from one of these anti-foreigner groups and he’s trying to bait me.

4) Since he is the youngest student in the class (21), he is trying to play the role of the younger, rebellious youth that rejected society and blah blah blah…James Dean…blah.

5) He’s just a fucking idiot. (Also likely)

My guess? I think he’s a mixture of #2 and #5. Most Koreans think that all drugs are horrible and there is no difference between cocaine and marijuana. That view leads to alarmist reactions when they hear of drug use. Even an academic or legal discussion of drugs is not something I would recommend. But here’s this guy, trying to convince me that I would be rich if I smuggled dope in for his friends.

The other students in class were sheepishly smiling at his antics, but I’m certain that many of them were thinking that this guy is nuts and maybe a few of them were even considering calling the police. Alarmist yes, but this guy was asking for it.

I have since changed the topic for week to stupid Korean student’s perception of what it means to be foreign.

Lesson one: Don’t associate with douche bags.

The park has been considered a “sound” playground for retired senior citizens, but it has recently become a hotbed of the illicit sex trade between sex-hungry old men and prostitutes.

But who would sleep with such old men?

“They are prostitutes,” said a cobbler working in front of the park. “The number reaches its highest around 3 p.m. Among them are ethnic Koreans from China

I like how they said “among them”. Does that mean “among” all the Korean hookers? Nice omission, Korean media.

You can hear Confucian-style cats calls like “I’m older than you!” or “Because I said so” resounding from the buildings around the park. And not only is this a haven for these aging sex-addicts, but they can also score drugs there as well.

A public restroom in the park was already bombarded with fliers promoting sex-related medicine. “Cure-all for those suffering declining energy!” a flier read.

Illegal drug sellers frequent the path encircling the park. A seller attracted customers, displaying the prescription-required erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra

What’s the difference between a “seller” and a “dealer” you ask? Blood. Korean’s are “sellers” and foreigners are “dealers”. The word “dealer” sounds much more depraved and evil whereas “seller” sounds like a child selling lemonade. Regardless, they even offer the old shaman favorites…

Among the traders were those selling dried parts of reptiles including snake. “I caught and dried these on my own. It’s really helpful in boosting metabolism,” one seller said, but refused to say what kinds of side effects it might cause.

They also had dried skink and anole.

Then the article turned its attention to “sex cruisers“. In the United States, people tend to “cruise” at rest-stops, bathrooms and, yep, public parks. Of course, most of these cruisers tend to be gay, but since there are no gay people in Korea (except for this guy and these guys), old-men step up to the plate.

And it closes with…

“Sexual desire is a desire not only shared among young people but also old people. But our society is sill stuck in the obsolete Confucian-based perception that labels desire as an undesirable state, playing a major hurdle in setting a sound sexual culture for the aged,” said Prof. Lim Choon-sik at Hannam University’s social welfare department

So desire is the problem? I guess that’s why there are love motels, “massage” parlors and call-girl fliers on every corner. There’s just no “desire”.

One guy, however, does. He’s the same “in-the-closest” student that I wrote about earlier. The thing that really bothers me about this guy is that he personally campaigned to get a specific class opened. He showed up everyday, all by himself, begging me to open a class for him. He even convinced a few friends to join the class. Once there were enough people in there to be able to have a meaningful discussion, I opened it. He showed up for three classes and I have not seen him again. I can safely say that he will not get credit for the class.

Now that students are heading back to school, most of my classes aren’t full, but I can assure you that I will not open another class during winter/summer break just becuase some dude wants it.

The Suwon Immigration Office said Tuesday it had been tracing the whereabouts of four foreigners who have been tested human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.

Late last year, the office obtained names of 12 foreigners diagnosed with HIV positive, which could develop into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), from the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

And who are these scumbags trying to infect the innocent Korean public?

For instance, a 36-year-old Uzbekistan woman, diagnosed HIV positive in 2006, was recently caught in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, where she worked as a barmaid overstaying her visa. It has not yet been confirmed whether she had sexual relations with others during the period of time, according to police.

Of course, she did. She’s a foreigner. And eventhough she looks a little old for her age…

…customers are lining up.

Korea tried to offer these renegades prison sentences or deportation health-checkups…

“But they failed to draw attention from foreigners mostly busy making money,” a Gyeonggi government official said.”

Typical foreigners.

So, what did we learn?

1) Korean’s should be scared of most foreigners because even the government isn’t sure who has AIDS.

2) Foreigners are sex-craved and hellbent on intentionally spreading diseases.

3) Foreigners don’t care about their health so long as their making money.

Thanks Korea media.

McCain, the Arizona Republican who was Obama’s rival for the White House in last year’s election, questioned the president about the cost of the new helicopter fleet on Monday.

“Your (proposed new) helicopter is now going to cost as much as Air Force One,” the presidential airplane, McCain said. “I don’t think that there’s any more graphic demonstration of how good ideas … have cost taxpayers an enormous amount of money.”

Of course, Barack Obama (who has cancelled the order) did not order those planes.

President Bush put in the order for new high-security presidential helicopters in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States

Epic failure.

At the American Council on Education’s annual meeting earlier this month, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. and a former university president, pressed college presidents to offer three-year degrees. In Rhode Island, legislators are considering a bill that would create a standard set of college-level classes for high schools, so all students could have an opportunity to finish college in three years

And of course, a Tennessean is involved.

My biggest problem with this is it will give me one less reason to dislike Canadians (who only go for three years). That’s a shame.