By 
Discrimination of foreigners in Korea is nothing new, but recently it has been getting a lot of attention because of the current Minyeodeului Suda Scandal. This scandal has caused at least one K-blogger to start an online petition to protest KBS’s racism.
Well now the Korea Times has an article about foreigners being denied access to swimming pools and saunas:
Connie Arnold, a middle-aged English teacher at Pochon CHA University in Songu-ri, began having hip pain earlier this year and went to see a doctor. He identified it as muscle strain and swimming was prescribed.
Arnold knew of only one pool in town, but when she went there she was told, “No Foreigners Allowed.’’’ She asked a Korean co-worker to call for her and explain that she had to swim for health reasons.
“I explained about you (doctor’s order) but they said no,’’ the co-worker wrote in a follow up e-mail. “Foreigner(s) cannot use the pool.’’
None of this is really surprising to me because foreigners have long been treated like second class citizens in Korea. However, the ones that have it by far the worst are the people who come from third world countries to work in Korea’s manuafacturing businesses. Korea’s Confucian thinking puts these labors way at the bottom of the class structure. That is the real reason why foreigners are denied access to swimming pools, saunas, and even internet cafes:
Arnold said that besides the swimming pool and sauna, she has been refused entry to PC bangs in Songu-ri because she is a foreigner.
A reporter asking to use a computer at the Joy PC Bang in Songu-ri was told foreigners were not allowed to use the service.
I have never been denied access to an internet cafe or even a sauna, but the denial of GI’s to bars and restaurants is quite common, but also keep in mind the denial of Koreans and other foreigners to American only bars happens as well, which I don’t agree with. This is done the ville areas outside of some of the US military installations. The bars are owned by Koreans and just goes to show that they are willing to discriminate against other Koreans in order to make a buck.
There is plenty of discrimination in Korea, but I really think it has been getting better in recent years and the netizen outrage to the KBS show is encouraging, however it is going to take a whole lot more Hines Wards out there to end discrimination in Korea any time soon.
UPDATE: The Marmot’s Hole now has a posting on this article as well worth checking out.
6:09 pm on December 12th, 2006 1
GI,
I lived in US for 20 years prior to transfer to USFK unit. It was like homecoming for me as first time in Korea since I left.
Then I got discriminated at several "GI" bars at the "ville". The clerk/Ajushi told me its closed in Korean but there were full of other racial GI at this bar. Due to being Gyopo, it was culture shock for me that I got racially discriminated first time in my life openly in Korea. (Out of all places in the world.)
I grew up in racially diversed suburb of Chicago but I never experience actaul racial discrimination until I came to Korea as USFK soldier.
6:25 pm on December 12th, 2006 2
Your experience is exactly one reason why I am against the segregated bars in USFK. I have had other Korean-American soldiers tell me the same thing happened to them. This system of US soldier only bars in the "ville" was created in order to reduce incidents between Koreans and GI's plus concerns of terrorism from 3D workers.
Incidents between Koreans and GIs still happen and if a terrorist wanted to blow up a bunch of GIs in Korea it would be quite easy. When we complain about GI's getting discriminated in Korea it doesn't help our cause when USFK supported bars in the ville are doing the same thing.
11:30 pm on December 12th, 2006 3
GI,
Are you implying that a Korean bar owner does not have the right to discriminate between the kind of patronage he entertains? Koreans find the presence of foreigners distasteful … they hate the cacophonic jabber of foreign languages, the foreign smell, and their glaring physical differences… or the abomination of a Korean-American (such as CPT Kim) who defies by his very existence — the purity of the Minjok.
A Korean establishment knows its Korean patronage will dwindle … if the environment is polluted with such foreign presence.
Who are you to impose sanctions against the Korean sensibility?
Doesn't a Korean property owner have the right to protect his own economic interests? Especially, when its his own private property and means of livelyhood?
Please, explain yourself.
12:05 am on December 13th, 2006 4
GI,
If you are incapable of explaining yourself — then let us hear from the lawyer: Brendon Carr.
Maybe he can explain how to balance the the rights of the individual against the responsibilities of the global community.
4:02 am on December 13th, 2006 5
Correct.
5:53 am on December 13th, 2006 6
Interesting blog. In my opinion Koreans don't have to obey American civil rights laws. It's their country so then they can do what they want. If a Korean bar owner wants to protect his business from undesirables, then he has the right to protect his business. American civil rights laws can be a bit bossy. Best let the Koreans do what they want without interference from big-noses. IMHO
4:37 pm on December 13th, 2006 7
Because most of American fucking soldiers are just fucking criminals in Korea. It does not matter if you are one of them or not. As long as people can tell you are American soldier, you won't be welcome anywhere in Korea.
5:13 pm on December 13th, 2006 8
Which demonstrates why The U.S. should pack up its tents, and nucleur weapons, and head back home. Koreans and Korea aren't worth the effort or the money that it costs. I'm sure KJI and his band of merry northerners will be much better behaved.
11:57 pm on December 13th, 2006 9
Korean costom No.1
yonShintyum
PyonShintyum is the dance that mimics physically handicapped person and sick person.
This is traditional entertainments in Korea. Japanese Government prohibited this custom in 1910. But this custom restarted after World Wer II. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i86fiRjvafk
12:00 am on December 14th, 2006 10
Korean costom No.2 Superstition about animal's meat
Dog Meat Festival, October 3, 2003 in South Korea http://www.seoulsearching.com/DogMeat.html
Delicious Dog Meat Performance, July 27, 2006 in Seoul http://dicaevent.chosun.com/bbs/view.php?id=photo…
　Korean eat 2,600,000 dogs and many cats evry years. Some dogs were shuted up in the small cage and were transported to slaughtterhouse. The slaughtter hangs dogs that were alive. The slaughtter beat the dogs with a pipe and a hammer. The slaughtter killed dogs slowly.
Sometimes, while dogs is alive, the slaughtter roasts dogs by the fire and tear away the fur.
Why does Korean slaughtter killed the dogs slowly and painfull? The adrenaline is secreted in animal body by great suffering. Korean believes that the meat containing many adrenaline is flavorful ,is soft and have many energy of man's sperms.
12:57 am on December 14th, 2006 11
Yes, Koreans do get a perverse sense of pleasure making fun of retards, cripples, and foreigners. But, don't we all? That is why you get Korean-American soldiers like Capt. Kim volunteering for Leon LaPorte's Good Neighbor program… going to the Korean retard houses. He obtains a priceless joy serving as a community service leader … standing tall above drooling retards. A moral leader … beefing up his resume with outstanding community service participation and leadership. There is no better feeling and means of career enhancement.
That also is why you will find USFK clinging to the Korean leg … needing Korea, just as much as Korea needs USFK. It seeks to protect what it deems a retarded culture, standing morally tall above Korea –till Korea is finally shamed into a civil society … through the brave efforts of Americans raising Asia's consciousness — where Koreans finally embrace the institution of anti-racism, and mixed-raced babies enjoy affirmative action programs. Only then will Hines Ward lose his appealing testimony of how Korean DNA can shine through black DNA to obtain the spectacular MVP award.
2:20 am on December 14th, 2006 12
Aside from the cyclical seeding of the world consciousness with as much of cosmic truth as Korea's karma will permit, periodically the Cosmic soul sends Americans and Canadians to incarnate among Korea to enjoin Koreans to forsake the ignorance of banning foreigners from sauna's and bars. To establish a universal brotherhood on earth is the American and Canadian quest. Nor is it an impossible dream by virtue of our common origin in divinity — yes, simian-like Koreans included — to universally realize we are all brothers.
When we all become a thousand points of lights — brow-beating and nagging racist Koreans in unison… the Korean ignorance will lift like a morning mist — burned by the rising sun of multiculturalism. That is my cherished belief.
3:03 am on December 14th, 2006 13
Sally,
Making fun of GI Korea, and CPT Kim is ignorance on your part. Rather than "coercing" Korean behavior away from their racism, American soldiers, English teachers, and Western Business people are working together using our "moral voice" to persuade Koreans through shame and appeals to global norms. Americans such as GI Korea and CAPT KIM lead with their moral voice; they appreciate those who act responsibly, and chastise those who do not… such as their ignoring you.
If Koreans respond to shame, then that is what we will give them.
4:30 am on December 14th, 2006 14
Sory.
Korean costom No.1 is not a "yonShintyum" but "Pyonshintyum".
Korean costom No.3 is "Test of stomach"
Femail were a tool of having a child in Korea. The tool should not be defective goods. A seed man rape the bride. The bride became pregnant. It proves the quality of tool. The quality tool can send to husband's house. The ugly custom called "Test of stomach".
The child in bride is not child of her husband. The bride and the child is slave in husband's house. The child rarely grows up into a adult. The seed man is a elder brother or uncle or near man of kin. Korean understood Confucianism selfishly and maid this custom. Japanese Government prohibited this custom in 1910.
6:27 am on December 14th, 2006 15
Impressive!! Most of people are misunderstanding here.
I said this guy won't be welcome anywhere in Korea because of the behavior of most US soldiers. The problem he is facing is not about racism.
"Korea aren’t worth the effort or the money that it costs."
effort? effort you are talking about is homicide, rape, and rob innocent people?
money? Korean government and people paying everything and your government takes more than what it costs. That is why you are still here.
3:23 am on December 16th, 2006 16
I wonder if dfdfdfdf even knows of the American soldiers who were murdered, raped, robbed, assaulted, stabbed, and kidnapped by Koreans? Every time someone brings up the same old tired and exagerrated GI Crime speel I then bring up all the Korean on GI crime that Koreans get away with and of course they know nothing about it. Plus these same people don't know that on a per capita basis USFK soldiers commit less crime than the general Korean population.
Plus the Korean government is paying everything for USFK. They now pay 46% of the USFK costs with the US still picking up the majority of costs. The Korean share goes to paying Korean workers on base and building new buildings and roads which are built by Korean contractors. The Korean payment to USFK is in essence a subsidy to Korean businesses.
12:03 am on December 17th, 2006 17
[...] If you haven’t had enough foreigner discrimination in Korea well the Big Hominid broke the story about the Pusan 9 Scandal followed by being blown wide open by the Marmot’s Hole. The Metropolitician has more on foreigner discrimination by describing how he was targeted by Kyunghyang Shinmun for teaching (gasp!) pro-Japanese propaganda! How dare he do such a thing? This independently produced movie isn’t going to help matter either, as it will only confirm what Koreans already believe about ex-pats and worse. Here is further evidence that Korea and Japan have more in common than they like to admit. Speaking of foreigner discrimination is Rosie guilty of it too? [...]
8:50 am on December 18th, 2006 18
Ahhh, yes, of course business with Koreans in Korean bars will dwindle if foreigners are allowed. Precisely why *this* GI was a 'Korean magnet' whenever I went to a Korean 'club' (stage, dancefloor, tables where waiters bring drinks, fruitplates, and bring whatever Korean girl you want to your table for conversation-yes, a REAL Korean club, not a juicy bar just outside the gate). It seems everyone wanted to practice English with the foreigner…even more so when they heard I was a GI. "Oooo! An officer?" "No?! Enlisted?! OMG! Really!". I asked my chingo (friend) if maybe they thought I was famous… No, it's just that females are not in the ROK military's lower enlisted ranks (I'm the equivilent of a 'four bar', a Sergeant-many Koreans seem to think that a female who can handle being a Sergeant must be very strong, indeed, and not just physically).
Later, a few male GIs went to the very same bar, no problems.
GI criminals? The last time I heard about a GI breaking into someone's store/home was when the 2 GIs pulled 2 women from the place…rescuing them from a fire that started in the kitchen. In the last public bus incident I heard about involving GIs, the bus driver was left wondering why the KNPs (Korean National Police) hauled the Americans off. After all, he said it was a couple Korean passengers being loud and obnoxious and his American passengers (almost always GIs) had never given him any problems in all the years he had been a bus driver.
Of all the Koreans I knew well in Korean, every last one begged me to stay in Korea. When I told them it was not possible, they gave me their e-mail addresses and cell numbers and told me I had a place to stay if I came back to Korea. I had offers to help me get through the citizenship process if I wanted to stay permanently. I even had one tell me he wished I wasn't married…so he could marry me-even his mother and father wished the same. No worries, I love my husband-no divorce and remarry for me. Just the same, it was hardly 'Yankee go home'. More like, 'Yankee, come home'.
Some may say it was only because I am female. I beg to differ. One of the Soldiers I had under my care is well on his way to becoming a Korean citizen, with the help of his Korean wife. He and one of my other Soldiers frequently went to Korean clubs and got along just fine.
Sure, I know of a few clubs that had signs which said 'No GIs'; however, those clubs were on the off limits list that the USFK has made. The signs were put up at the request of USFK. Also, according to USFK, saunas, the open ocean, off post pools, and a variety of other places are off limits. Oddly enough, when I asked why saunas, pools, and the ocean were off limits, I was told that it's because the Korean water supply is so contaminated. Ironically, I could use the shower in the off post apartment I had (same water supply as the saunas and pools in the area).
On US Soldiers being the bad guys or taking pleasure in laughing at the retards, I suppose that's why we help farmers replant rice after typhoons, buy Christmas presents for orphans, and help in many other ways, too. Maybe the Koreans enjoy 'laughing at the retards'…I suppose that's why the Mayor, and some of the other public officials, of Uijongbu gave us Soldiers so many rounds of dongdongju (a type of traditional Korean rice-based alcohol) the last time I was on a Korean American Friendship tour. I suppose we were the retards…but so were they-bowl for bowl.
9:26 am on December 18th, 2006 19
By the way, Koreans eat dogs, but not cats…it's the Chinese who eat cats. Some breeds of dogs are for meat, the rest are for pets, and no one eats their pets.
By the way, dog meat tastes good. I would not eat it often, but only because it was over 40,000 Won (over US$40) for a bowl of dog soup the last time I ate it, and the soup only had 2 small slivers of meat.
Hey, if I'm not supposed to eat dogs, why are they made of meat? Besides, it's better than eating chicken and getting Avian Flu.
And Yamayama, if the Koreans spent so much time torturing and beating the dogs before killing them, how is it that the soup always made it to my table so fast? Are you saying that the Koreans are ever so much more efficient than the Japanese? Odd, I always thought the 2 cultures were fairly equal in that respect. After all, you DO share a common ancestry…
All your hate and anger only serves to raise your blood pressure and increase your chances of a heart attack. Perhaps you have a deathwish? Here's a thought…stop hating and do your part to slow Japan's falling birthrate.
Also, the only test of stomach I've seen while living in Korean involved little green chilies, not rape. The dances were not to mimic retards, but each dancer represented a specific character in a story. How is it that an American is so much more informed about Japan's neighbor than you are? Try looking up information or going out in the world instead of making up a bunch of Nationalistic blather. Just because Japan can be a nice place to live doesn't mean all other countries are automatically crap.
6:28 am on April 17th, 2007 20
KOREANS ARE THE MOST RACIST PEOPLE I KNOW. I cannot count the number of times I was discriminated by Koreans and I will not elaborate more on the experiences because thinking about it only makes me even angrier. They are arrogant and they seriously believe they are better than whites, blacks, and other asians. For them, the KOREAN race, which they call "PURE RACE," is on top of the heap.
I thought KOreans were polite judging from what I normally saw from ARIRANG TV. Turns out they're not. WHAT YOU SEE ON ARIRANG, ALL PROPAGANDA! You should see some of the racial sfuff that are shown on the local channels in Korea. If you saw them, I can tell you that your opinion about KOREANS will surely change. Black man, white man, brown man, Japanese, Chinese –they think non-Korean people are trash!!!
7:44 am on April 17th, 2007 21
SIMPLE- You have opinions that differ from the norm! It would be interesting to find out why. My guess is that the problem may be yours.(Not necessarily your fault!)
Koreans generally are similar to white and black Americans, in that they often discriminate depending on the degree of "whiteness" of a person. I can only speculate. This, it turns out, is a quirk of human nature. If that is not the cause of your problem, then look to another source: personality, haircut, clothing, perceived attitude, etc.
I would be interested in hearing more. I hope you
find out, and make many friends!
6:29 am on June 1st, 2007 22
[...] and I will give the links of what followed next.People, not Space Invaders Aftermath of the show.Foreigner Discrimination in KoreaKBS ‘foreign beauty’ program slammed for racismAnd here it comesPolice Story Korean StyleFirst [...]
1:04 am on October 19th, 2007 23
[...] on its …www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/ B77E3956B335DD33C1257333004FA7CA?opendocumentForeigner Discrimination in Korea at ROK DropI grew up in racially diversed suburb of Chicago but I never experience actaul racial [...]
1:55 pm on January 24th, 2008 24
[...] Foreigner Discrimination in Korea at ROK Drop on December 13, 2006 at 4:04 [...]
10:39 pm on March 29th, 2008 25
It looks like not much has changed in Korea. I lived in Seoul in 1995 as an English teacher after having lived in Japan for three years.
Yes, one could say that Japan has its elements of xenophobia, but it is nothing compared to what I experienced in Korea. Korea is the most racist country I have ever been to and I vowed that I would never return. I dated a Korean woman who had lived in the US for several years. When we walked together anywhere in Seoul we would get nasty comments (she was called a prostitute or a 'nappun nuna') and outright hostility.
I don't think a day went by when something racist wasn't directed at me. The incidents are too numerous to recount here. I left before my year was up because it was just such a stressful and hostile place. After that I took a long trip to Vietnam and my faith in the goodness of humanity was restored! What a difference!
Although I have returned to Japan several times since I left, I have not nor will I ever go back to Korea. I'm sad that nothing has changed in more than a decade.
1:35 am on March 30th, 2008 26
Dor,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Koreans are EXTREMELY HAPPY that stupid bitter moron like you have chosen not to visit Korea ever again.
PLEASE stay at whatever the shithole you are in and NEVER even think of entering South Korea. Go GO GO Go away~~~
Peace~
3:50 pm on June 22nd, 2008 27
well.I have too discriminate, just because I complaint about one car parking in front of my house
4:42 pm on June 22nd, 2008 28
These old comments started in 1966. Yes, most countries do discriminate, that is a fact. If it discriminates against a particular person, for a legitimate reason, we don't seem to mind, do we? But many people, particularly we Americans, fail to understand that discriminating against certain practices or even people, which is often seen as something to protest about in the U.S., is not seen that way in countries with a different view of individual freedoms, such as Korea. Stop and think if you owned a private club in America. Maybe like a golf club, for instance. Is it really the U.S. government's responsibility to tell you who you can invite to be in your "Private" club? Freedom has many faces. What if you were a smoker, and you wanted to harm your health and smoke in your own private bar or club? Doesn't Korea have more freedom than the U.S. in some respects? It is against NO LAW in Korea for a business owner to choose his patrons! Leave Koreans alone while some of their individual freedoms are still intact; There are other places to swim and drink and do what you please. Learn what I learned in Military Assistance/Advisor School many years ago- Don't think that the whole world is waiting to be "Rescued" from their ways to the ways of the U.S.!
6:52 am on July 19th, 2008 29
SOG knives…
Interesting ideas… I wonder how the Hollywood media would portray this?…
4:03 pm on September 30th, 2008 30
OK… I'm Saudi and I'm living in Korea for 8 months now…
a lot and a lot of situations i find myself discriminated because I'm a foreigner foe example:
I was going to a club in Seoul called Circle as I go in the bouncer stopped me and said to my Korean friend who was with me: We can't allow his kind in here!!!
another situation I was going to buy a phone….phones costs only 30-40 bucks in Korea I bought mine for 500 bucks why??? I'm a foreigner…
now here is the big bomb!! there was a blood donation going on in my campus so I felt I owe society some good… YES!!! you have to be in korea for at leased 2 years to donate blood!!!! Good Job Red Cross…
4:38 pm on September 30th, 2008 31
"another situation I was going to buy a phone….phones costs only 30-40 bucks in Korea I bought mine for 500 bucks why??? I’m a foreigner…"
They've been giving away Motorola Razrs for free for the past year now. Shop around.
9:23 am on October 11th, 2008 32
I recently was working off-shore in Korea and had a 3 day delay in Seoul on my way back home. I got ripped off by a cab driver with the fare and since I did not have a room booked due to the unexpected delay he also offered to find me a room for three days. Well at the airport he stated a price for the room which seemed reasonable but the further we entered Seoul the price got higher and higher. What was I to do, I had no reservations and was stuck paying the jacked up price.
Later that night I went out for a drink, all the clubs I attempted to enter I was told no foreigners. But, I noticed outside their establishments any female that walked by they were continuously harassed by these guys at the door by being asked to come inside their club. So I asked one of the guys at the door if no foreigners are allowed why are you asking all these foreign girls that walk by to come into your club. His reply, a dirty look. It ended up being a boring three day stay I am glad my company reimbursed my expenses.
I will never accept a job there again and will never return. I honestly have to say Korea sucks, and I do travel quite a bit in my line of work so I can compare it too other country's.
1:04 pm on October 11th, 2008 33
Ancient Chinese Proverb –
"He who believes taxi driver's snake tongue in any country has more money than sense until the ride is over at which point they have equal amounts of both."
Wait. It was me who said that.
7:41 am on October 13th, 2008 34
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7:15 pm on March 14th, 2009 35
YAMAYAMA, i hate to say this, but your english standard is really exceeding atrocious. If you cannot spell properly, use a spell checker on Microsoft Office Word or something. It won't kill you to put in a bit more effort in letting people understand the point you are attempting to put across. I am disappointed in you.
1:37 pm on April 28th, 2009 36
I have worked in Korea as an English teacher at a local Elementary school in Yongin for nearly 3 years. I am the first black English teacher at this local school and I am proud to say that.
From the time I have been living in Korea, I could never be suprised that Koreans are the most racist people in Asia. What's even worse is that they don't know how to look at themselves in the mirror.
The reason why Koreans are like that is because of the teachings of Confucinaism. One of their Confucinaist teachings is to take pride intheir heritage and not to mix in with others. That is why I believe that if the majority of non-whites in the Southern USA were Koreans, Jim Crow laws would still be in place.
Jim Crow has a counsin here in Korea, I call him Kim Jim Crow. There are English Language institutes in Korea that hire only white teachers, and never hire black or ethnic Korean teachers from Western English speaking countries. That plus establishments that woudl never accept patrons like me all because I am a black foreigner.
When I walk the streets in Korea, I never look happy, I look like a mean brother, I do that so that way these Koreans don't mess with me. I am not a racist against Koreans, I love Koreans. The ones I hang out with are the cool ones and it's not just because they can speak English. It's because they can take my open harsh critisicms of Korean people, and they know themselves better than the typical Korean.
I have travelled to Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, The Philippines, and China, and I can tell you that I have more acceptance as an equal in The Philippines, or Thailand must better than Korea. (China has it's similarities to Korea because of Confucianism that produced ethnocentricism).
I also noticed that unlike the Japanese, Koreans are way more likely to make racist cartoons than then Japanese. But when it comes to the mass media's negative potrayal of black men, Koreans fall for that very easily because most Koreans are the most racially gullable fools in Asia.
I find it also distrubing to see that South Koreans are also racist against their own kind too. They are racist against some ethinic Koreans (e.g. Korean Americans) who can't speak Korean, and even worst, they are advocating unity with their brothers and sisters in North Korea, but at the same time when they come across a North Korean defactor living in South Korea, they treat these North Korean defactors as second class. Well guess what South Korea? I think that North Korean people are nicer people, and their young girls are much more prettier.
So to all you foreigners here (including ething Koreans and North Korean defectors), if anytime you are faced with discrimination here in South Korea, cry out these words: HAIL TO THE DEAR LEADER ? ? ? (KIM JEONG IL). See how these South Korean bigots will respond. Do everything you can to make them look bad.
If any KKKorean bigot reading my comment wants to publish this in me media and make me look bad, I challeng you to do so. Thank God I am not a racist coward.
10:57 pm on April 28th, 2009 37
Thanks Sheldon, I’m an English teacher living over here in Korea too. I think I will start praising the Dear Leader just to see what the response will be.
11:02 am on May 19th, 2009 38
Well, let's not be naive about it. I've been in Korea for almost three months now. I've met wonderful, opne-minded people. But I've also met others who are openly racist and who discriminate against me both because I am a foreigner and because I am black. I've invited some girls at my work place to go out with me-not that I intended to date them. But I am new to the place, and I needed to learn more about the country and its culture. But guess what? They kept saying and giving me excuses for not going out with me. Later, I realized they'd go out with other foreigners who are white. Now, this is how I feel about it. OK man. First, you're a foreigner, and second, you're not even white. So you're not good enough to be my friend. I understand that Koreans have the right to protect their culture and property. But this is more than that. It's blattant racial discrimination an xenophobia. I think this is a problem this society will need to solve in their quest of becoming a developed country. For development is not just technology; it's also about human rights and tolerance and acceptance and as far as these concepts are concerned, they're far behind.
12:12 pm on May 19th, 2009 39
If you want to have a great Holiday, do not go to Korea. I have gone there 3 times for my company and I have too many horrible experiences to list. Don't get suckered into going there, everyone on this board will have told you so. The only sure thing there is getting ripped off by the cab drivers.
5:01 pm on May 23rd, 2009 40
EVERYTHING IS LIE. IM A FOREIGNER AND NO DICRIMINATION IF I GO TO SAUNA OR SWIMMIN' POOL.
I EVEN CAN GO WHEREVER I WANT.
12:56 pm on October 27th, 2009 41
RealEye
You are the center of the known universe… The 1 and only force which all time and space converge…
If the combined experience of a force such as yourself render something not to be true then it will most definately be a lie…
PLONKER!
1:12 am on October 28th, 2009 42
HAIL TO THE DEAR LEADER ? ? ? (KIM JEONG IL)
6:55 pm on November 18th, 2009 43
I am in korea working as a research scholar , when i came here one year i did not fill any racial discremination because we where 30 foreigner satyin together during language training but after that when i joined lab i fill enough foreigner discrimination there , they were saying bad thing during work , and complaining with prof. now i am exhasted and i think to change the lab or go back to my country .
2:38 pm on March 21st, 2010 44
Discrimination exists everywhere. I dont think you understand our culture well.If you go to other countries, you would experience discrimination also. Furthermore, almost everyone thinks that their country is the best! It is called the ethnocentrism. I am sure you believe that your country is superior to other nations. Don't deny that. (You don't even have a proof that Koreans descriminated you.) Please broaden your mind; you are thinking like a baby!
2:56 pm on March 21st, 2010 45
Discrimination exists everywhere. I am sure that you will experience discrimination even when you go to ther countries. Furthermore, almost everybody believes that their country is the best; it is ethnocentrism! please don't deny that you think your country is superior to other nations. you must broaden your mind; I think you are thinking like a child! Grow up!
1:37 am on March 28th, 2010 46
Yes racism exists everywhere but in Korea it exists in the media. In most civilized countries we expect the media to be fair, impartial and back up its views with facts. In Korean news there is little facts and mostly racial oppinions. Korean news broadcasts are in the stone age and only slightly better than North Korean media
1:52 am on March 28th, 2010 47
Good point Darnardo,
A foreigner living over in Korea is subject to so many versions of racism it's impossible to know the origin. The Koreans have no way of really confronting it or slowing down the infestation, it's just ingrained in every part of their society.
Ultimately, Korea is just a small highly populated country that can't get over it's identity crisis. There's a reason why there's several different topics on this forum about foreigner discrimination – it's so rampant that practically every foreigner that visits Korea is immediately a victim of.
You definitely don't see people clamoring for their vacation saying "oohhh, I want to go visit Korea and get racially discriminated against the moment I land at Incheon"
12:31 am on May 3rd, 2010 48
it's the point or the effort that's important not whether they're disappointing or not. in fact, i think i'm disappointed in you.
6:41 pm on May 24th, 2010 49
What about the millions of pigs and cows in the USA? You think they live in any better circumstances?
2:00 pm on September 8th, 2010 50
If you're being discriminated against because you are a foreigner, particularly a black foreigner, and you're not a GI…what are you doing in s.korea? That doesn't make any sense. I went to Seoul for 10 days last year; everyone was nice to me, especially the girls.
5:03 am on November 21st, 2010 51
[...] this kind of discrimination does exist. Dave’s ESL has a year-old message board thread listing the bars that have denied entry to [...]
12:59 am on March 14th, 2011 52
Silly Sally,
I couldn't help myself but cast doubts on your point
"Doesn’t a Korean property owner have the right to protect his own economic interests? Especially, when its his own private property and means of livelyhood?".
This isn't a question about economic profits and property rights. If you could justify segregation in public amenities through that logic,you could justify segregation everywhere. It's most basic to realize that racism does exist and is prominent in Korean society. Civil rights laws do exist in Korea but aren't being kept and that's where the problem lies.
But the fact is, Korea is still a really immature, democratic country that hasn't been introduced to most basic notions of democracy. Things like racism aren't familiar notions to many Koreans as for more than 3000 years we've been proud of our so-called "pure heritage". We aren't educated to not discriminate, because there aren't many foreigners in the country. But things are changing. Diversity and multiculturalism started appearing in elementary text books as well as education on racism. While it is true that nothing justifies discrimination in its most sublte to downright blatant ways, you have to, as much as this sounds ridiculous, give us a break.
Oh, and chillax on our eating of dogs.
How are dogs different from chickens, cows, pigs, and, snails? It's a part of the culture. We started eating dogs because we were poor (back when a lot of people had constipation because they were forced to eat bark and soil) and the dogs were the most nutritious things on the street. And now it's been known to be a nutritious meal. As much as racism is ignorant, your condemning of our food culture based on your culture and prejudices are also pretty dull.
4:03 am on March 14th, 2011 53
Dude, Silly Sally changed his name to Tom…
4:53 am on March 14th, 2011 54
#52 I like kaigogi. Really good as a soup. Just saying—-
6:01 pm on March 25th, 2011 55
I think you all have totally forgotten to include other countries like Singapore, which is also an advanced country. All you people talk about is nationalities like Philipinos, Thai..etc.. You mention nothing about Singapore!! It happens the same way for interracial marriages. I have observed how the internet mentioned Korean men with foreign women only.. Have you all thought about the reverse??
7:25 am on July 19th, 2011 56
@ Hang Sung Ju
I agree that discrimination exists everywhere. The only thing is that in most part of the world, it is not tolerated, and it is rejected. However, in Korea, it’s tolerated, accepted; and people think it’s normal. This is the problem. As some people mentioned it, it’s not just Korea; racism is a big problem in Asian countries.
As I’ve been living in Korea for a few years now, I start to realize two things that are part of the Korean mentality: 1) People tend to be racist and see no problems with it. 2) Most Koreans are also white supremacists. They believe the whiter someone’s skin is the cleaner and the better they are. Korean women (and also men) spend lots of money on skin whitening products, most commercials only show white people, rarely some Asians and almost never anyone of dark skin. Same for posters that are used to advertise products. Most of them show a white model. This is based on the idea that only white is beautiful.
I am sorry if you think it’s just a cultural issue. It’s not; it’s an educational issue. People in Korea are just not educated on discrimination issues; in most cases, they’re displaying discriminatory behaviors without even knowing it.
Finally, it’s not true that everybody thinks their country is the best. In every country, you’ll find narrow-minded nationalists and ultra nationalist; these are the people who often think their country is the best. Well educated people often try to learn about the world and what’s valuable from other countries and cultures. Sadly, very few of the Koreans I know are interested at all in the rest of the world. To most Koreans, the world only has four countries: Korea because it’s the best, Japan because they hate it, China because they believe it’s where the Korean Nation it rooted, and America because this is where the beautiful people are from.
I am sorry my friend, it’s not going to help Korea if you’re just being defensive about the issue. If you want to help the Korean get out of this trap and get the respect they deserve from other nations, you need to help your brothers and sisters to learn to respect other people too.
Discrimination and racism DOES NOT bring you higher, it only causes others to look down on you as it’s the lowest human attitude to have. I hope that helps clarify the situation to you.
8:10 am on July 19th, 2011 57
Patrick,
“Most Koreans are also white supremacists. They believe the whiter someone’s skin is the cleaner and the better they are.”
Please consider that throughout Asia, lighter skin denotes education, wealth, and an accomplished position rather than a life of poverty and labor under the sun.
For this reason, they are right… whiter skin DOES frequently mean they are cleaner and better.
In Korea and Japan, where many people are only one generation from the farm, this idea still exists. In poorer Asian countries, it is rightfully the standard.
This is in contrast to the multi-generational post-agricultural society of the West where a tan denotes the luxury of a more leisurely lifestyle.
The youngest generation of Korean girls are just starting to show interest in tanning… as they are past the point of being mistaken for a farm girl and now wish to show sportiness.
I leave you with Exhibit A… Ganguro and Yamanba from the previous generation of Japanese girls… as Japan is a generation or so ahead of Korea.
http://japan-powaaa.cowblog.fr/la-mode-gyaru-au-japon-2540935.html
Guys, does that get your freak on… or is it just freaky?
8:54 am on July 19th, 2011 58
Exhibit number one as to why people like Tom exists in this blog. Just look at these kinds of generalizing ignorant insulting abusive inflammatory comments made by “Patrick” and lot of others :
—-
Sadly, very few of the Koreans I know are interested at all in the rest of the world. To most Koreans, the world only has four countries: Korea because it’s the best, Japan because they hate it, China because they believe it’s where the Korean Nation it rooted, and America because this is where the beautiful people are from.
—–
And I’m supposedly the problem here.
11:23 am on July 19th, 2011 59
#57, it’s better than the anime version of SNL’s “Pat” that seems to be popular lately…
12:18 pm on July 19th, 2011 60
Patrick wrote:
Patrick, most of what you wrote about Korea is fairly accurate (though ChickenHead was right when he pointed out that favoring lighter skin in countries like Korea and Japan is not a racial thing but a socioeconomic holdover). But I’m guessing that you have little clue of what it’s like to live in a country like the US (one of the places where you suggest discrimination is “not tolerated” and is “rejected”) as a racial, ethnic, or religious minority.
No, I’m not saying the US is a bad country. It is a great country, and built into the DNA of that great nation is a constant drive to find our faults and root them out as best we can, including lingering problems like racism, racial animosity, etc.
But the fact remains that it does remain. Not nearly as bad as before, but it’s there and it’s on a day to day basis. M&Ms — Muslims and Mexicans — are constant whipping boys for so many people, to the point that Hispanics, Muslims, and Muslim-looking people are on the receiving end of anger and disdain on a regular basis.
I’d sure as heck rather be a White-looking person almost anywhere in Korea than a Hispanic-looking person in much of the US. And while Blacks still get alarmed stares in the US, there wouldn’t be anyone planting a bomb at a Martin Luther King Day parade (if Seoul had one).
Again, I’m not saying the US is a bad place. It’s not. I’m saying that you are going to get nowhere if you sanctimoniously point out the speck in your neighbor’s eye and ignore the log in your own.
12:19 pm on July 19th, 2011 61
I wrote:
Grrr… I meant to write:
alarmed stares in the US –> in Korea
12:41 pm on July 19th, 2011 62
Blacks have the highest rates of poverty, crime, and unemployment of any ethnic group. This is a fact. Not just in the US, but in Africa and Haiti. These countries are dirt poor with extreme violence and poverty. This is why Asians and Europeans look down on blacks.
12:53 pm on July 19th, 2011 63
Denny, I’m not sure what you think the reasons are for that, but having grown up in Compton, a poor and nearly all-Black neighborhood, as a child though I am myself am not Black, I can assure you that many of the problems faced by those in poverty are institutional and have little to do with the character or capabilities of those who are impoverished. There are those that rise above it and there are those that actually learn to thrive because of it, but for many the deck is so stacked against them that even it seems almost hopeless. Contrast that with the middle-class and rich people who talk as if they’re experts on the poor because, to paraphrase a famous quote, they were born on third but they think they hit a triple.
Our Gini coefficient is out of whack because we don’t give a rat’s arse about making effective improvements and changes to all parts of our cities.
2:10 pm on July 19th, 2011 64
What people want to claim are the effects of eugenics or genetics are more often the results of Pygmalion Effect. People tend to perform and grow into the expectations those around them place on them. It can be a motivation for improvement or a driver for diminishment.
If you are constantly reinforced that you can achieve much more than you think you can, you will (e.g. growing up with a Tiger mom). If you always hear from those around you that you will amount to no good you will probably achieve that too.
It occurs in the home, at school, in the military and at almost all levels of inter-cultural and inter-society interaction.
Adults, who already have a strong positive self image are not as susceptible to damage in a negative environment as impressionable younger people.
4:43 pm on July 19th, 2011 65
@ ChickenHead
I am well aware of the fact that darker skin color is associated with poverty too. But isn’t that another form of discrimination? Isn’t that discrimination based on appearance? Also, I think you got me wrong at some point. I never mentioned the US in my post as a country where discrimination is rejected. Even though I will not agree with you that racism is rampant in the US. This is not accurate. Although there are still many racist people in the US, mainly in the southern part of it, being racist is not considered a normal behavior in that country. And please don’t think I am American, and this is why I am defending North Americans. For your information, I am not American. I’ve travelled to many countries. I’ve lived and studied in the US. I can tell you, as an African Caribbean person, I’ve never felt any sort of discrimination while I was there. If anyone had that feeling, they had kept it for themselves. Nobody was openly racist to me. But for my time in Korea, I’ve had countless experiences of people being openly racist to me and to my friends. Again, understand that I don’t have anything against Asians or Koreans. I have Korean friends who are open-minded enough to admit this is an issue; and they are working hard so that their children do not go that way. These are people I respect. For the rest, I just feel sorry for them as they’re far behind in this 21st century.
@DENNY
Well, perhaps you don’t realize it, but your comment is very racist. Let me make a point for you as it seems that you don’t have enough information about the world.
1) The reason why people usually associate poverty with black people is because western media project that image of them. If you launch Google Images and research the word “Poverty” 90% of the pictures you’ll find are pictures of black people. In other words, the media are putting into people’s minds in the world that if you’re black, you’re necessarily poor. Do you know that there are also a lot of children dying of hunger in India, the Philippines, Thailand, China, North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc? The only thing is that these are not the pictures you will see on the Internet because those countries control what image is projected about them in the world. In Korea, and I’ve seen neighborhoods that are no different from what you’d see in Haiti or any of the so called “Poor countries” in the world. But you’re never see those pictures on the Internet, because they will hide them. You’ll only see pictures of the nice places because they want people to believe that everything about them is perfect. I have pictures that I’ve taken in Haiti, and when I show them to people, they can’t believe that those places exist there. Why? Because everything they’ve hear about that country is negative. Nobody ever showed them a nice picture of Haiti. This is the truth, my friend. This is the unfair world we’re living in.
2) If some countries such as Haiti are poor today, it’s also because some other countries such as France, Spain, the US and England have exploited them for centuries. Stealing all their riches and leaving them with nothing. Go to Spain, you’ll see many cathedrals with gold altars, some of them have walls plated with gold. Do you know that most that gold was taken from Haiti?
Finally, you seem to agree with Asians that it’s normal to look down on someone just because you think they’re poorer than you. What century do you think you’re living in? If you’re in Korea, I am pretty sure you like it as you fit perfectly into that mindset.
7:12 pm on July 19th, 2011 66
Oh next thing you know the wanker will bring up Rushton’s three race theory.
5:08 pm on March 17th, 2012 67
it isn’t about only Black it include Other Asian like East asian China Japan and Latin
they have word ‘Korean is only one tribe ‘ and they are Proud it but immgrant and tourist over 10.000.000 people , still exist
and Female and male discrimination is big problem too
even there Economy is increased ,discrimination increase too