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Racism
in South Korea
Recently, one of my friends had asked me about South Korea's current racism issues after having read this intensely debated article titled “They actually want a white teacher”. (Click here to read the article.) According to this article, a black skinned male teacher applying for a job as an English teacher was turned down, a decision motivated by his skin color.
Living in Seoul for a couple of years now, I haven't experienced racism directly in this way myself. However, I've heard about these issues and also that they are actual and even very common. Needless to say, discrimination is something persistent and existing everywhere, not only in South Korea.
Understanding racism and its causes and consequences, calls for a deeper understanding of a society as a whole, not only socially but also historically. Criticizing South Korea without a deeper insight of its society, while making ignorant statements and comments, is therefore as ineffective as fighting ignorance with ignorance or racism with racism.
Now, when one wonders “Why South Korea is openly being accused of being a racist country?”, instead of merely accusing, in order to find answers and solutions it might be more meaningful to look for plausible causes and explanations within that society. In my opinion, and from my own observations and conversations with Korean and non-Korean friends, there are a few reasons that might explain South Korea's racist issues and accusations.
The (lack of) Awareness about different ways of discriminating
First of all, in South Korean society, awareness about and understanding of theoretic notions such as ‘racism’ or even ‘discrimination’ seem still weak. Therefore, ethnic discrimination is not seldom regarded as merely a justifiable expression stating that someone does not match the right profile, ‘specs’ or requirements. Hence, being discriminated because of your ethnicity becomes only one other way to differentiate and discriminate. Different types of discrimination are rarely distinguished. In other words, in South Korea, you can be discriminated in many ways and it will be openly justified by the person who does so. For example, if you are not a good student and lack the academic abilities, you will be discriminated and be denied certain options in life; if you out yourself as being gay or lesbian, you'll might as well be; if you are not good looking, you will not get the same chances like other people simply based on your outer appearance rather than your skills, and so on.
Situations where people are being left out because of their characteristics is nothing new and can be found in many other places elsewhere in the world. However, in a fiercely competitive society such as South Korea, the line between characteristics you can acquire and the ones you actually cannot or would not is very thin. To illustrate that this line is very thin, the example of extreme plastic surgery can be given. People, in a Machiavellian way, undergo small to major plastic surgeries to look better in order to attain certain goals. When extreme goals require extreme measures, the outer appearance is permanently altered to fit the requirements of society.
As we can see, one characteristic that one would usually regard as initially unattainable, has now changed status to being something attainable, albeit with extreme and exterior means. The reasons that spur discrimination, whether they are motivated by inherent characteristics or changeable abilities, they are regarded as lying within the person's characteristics and ability. The requirement of altering ones inherent characteristics should always be met with strong criticism and caution. In a society where people are discriminated for being ethnically different than the main population, gives people the idea that this inherent characteristic should be changed to meet to fit into society, which is of course something impossible and something one should never demand, directly nor indirectly. In short, to battle bigotry and racism, awareness about theoretic notions such as "racism" and ‘discrimination’ is a first step.
The Myth of Ethnic Homogeneity
The Korean ethnic-nationalistic sentiment is strong and up until today, despite recent migration statistics, many Koreans are convinced that the Korean society is still a homogeneous one. Korean people tend to believe strongly that Korea is a “pure blood” nation and strangely feel more connected with people sharing the same blood, such as overseas Koreans (교포, kyopo) who might not speak any Korean or who have never set foot on Korean soil before, rather than non-Korean people living in Korea since ages. Contrary to what is generally believed, this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” only exists since the beginning of the 20th century, more specifically since the Japanese colonial rule. Through the presence of the Japanese colonizers on the Korean peninsula and following colonial policies Korean people became aware of their ethnicity. The Japanese colonizers at that time used ethnicity as a means to convince the Korean people that they were “brothers” of the Japanese pure race, stemming from the same ancestors.
After the Korean War, American soldiers were stationed in South Korea. Many of them had relationships and affairs with Korean women, who then later gave birth to mixed-race babies. These babies often bared the stigma of being not “pure” and seen as a disgrace for the Korean people. Nowadays, similar to Japan, that idea of having a “homogeneous society” still lingers. If you would ask a Korean person what stance they take towards foreigners wanting to be naturalized and attain Korean citizenship, the answers might be shocking. For example, it is “OK for most of the people (read Western, white people) to become naturalized, as long as they show devotion (애정, aejeong) for the Korean nation.” However, other Asian people such as Chinese, Japanese or South East-Asian nationalities are much less welcomed.
Since Park Chung Hee, the government has used this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” in policies to create a unified feeling among its people. It can be said that strong nationalistic sentiments have been nurtured since the colonial period until the modern period. The nationalistic feeling of sharing the same blood has been encouraged and solidified in order to speed up the rapid modernization of South Korea in the last decades. However, strong nationalistic pride came along with (ethnic) prejudices. These prejudices, which can lead to openly discriminating, are justified with the excuse of “it is normal, because Korean people have not yet experienced or been in contact with many foreigners before.” Such statements are proof of the stubborn unawareness about racist behavior and are merely excuses to justify open discrimination. It is true that South Korea has not yet experienced a big inflow of immigrants compared to Europe or the United States; however statistics show that modern South Korea is rapidly changing into a far less homogeneous country. Some Korean politicians have tried to amend laws regarding ethnic discrimination, but they are often met with strong disagreements.
When any country wishes to peacefully harbor a multicultural and ethnically diverse population, bigotry, nationalistic pride and prejudices will have to make place for mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance. And a first step in this process is promoting ‘awareness’ about these issues.
Further reading:
Shin, Gi-Wook, "Korea's ethnic nationalism is a source of both pride and prejudice, according to Gi-Wook Shin." (Click here for link to article.)
And if you would like to read more simply type in Google Search: "Racism in Korea", you will find plenty of food for thought. However, keep in mind that every article needs to be read with caution and an attitude of skepticism.
I would suggest to do the same for the one I wrote here. I have written this short critical essay mainly from my personal stance and observations, with the purpose to put forward current issues in the South Korean society. It has therefore by no means any intention to offend anyone. I would like to clarify that I'm NOT trying to generalize all Korean people as being racist, unaware nor ignorant. Since there are plenty of Korean people who show awareness and who are trying hard to prevent ethnic prejudices from becoming justified. The only thing I'm argueing is for more efforts to sensibilize people about this important issues. If you have any questions or comments you can send me an email: lara.deboeck@hotmail.com.
Recently, one of my friends had asked me about South Korea's current racism issues after having read this intensely debated article titled “They actually want a white teacher”. (Click here to read the article.) According to this article, a black skinned male teacher applying for a job as an English teacher was turned down, a decision motivated by his skin color.
Living in Seoul for a couple of years now, I haven't experienced racism directly in this way myself. However, I've heard about these issues and also that they are actual and even very common. Needless to say, discrimination is something persistent and existing everywhere, not only in South Korea.
Understanding racism and its causes and consequences, calls for a deeper understanding of a society as a whole, not only socially but also historically. Criticizing South Korea without a deeper insight of its society, while making ignorant statements and comments, is therefore as ineffective as fighting ignorance with ignorance or racism with racism.
Now, when one wonders “Why South Korea is openly being accused of being a racist country?”, instead of merely accusing, in order to find answers and solutions it might be more meaningful to look for plausible causes and explanations within that society. In my opinion, and from my own observations and conversations with Korean and non-Korean friends, there are a few reasons that might explain South Korea's racist issues and accusations.
The (lack of) Awareness about different ways of discriminating
First of all, in South Korean society, awareness about and understanding of theoretic notions such as ‘racism’ or even ‘discrimination’ seem still weak. Therefore, ethnic discrimination is not seldom regarded as merely a justifiable expression stating that someone does not match the right profile, ‘specs’ or requirements. Hence, being discriminated because of your ethnicity becomes only one other way to differentiate and discriminate. Different types of discrimination are rarely distinguished. In other words, in South Korea, you can be discriminated in many ways and it will be openly justified by the person who does so. For example, if you are not a good student and lack the academic abilities, you will be discriminated and be denied certain options in life; if you out yourself as being gay or lesbian, you'll might as well be; if you are not good looking, you will not get the same chances like other people simply based on your outer appearance rather than your skills, and so on.
Situations where people are being left out because of their characteristics is nothing new and can be found in many other places elsewhere in the world. However, in a fiercely competitive society such as South Korea, the line between characteristics you can acquire and the ones you actually cannot or would not is very thin. To illustrate that this line is very thin, the example of extreme plastic surgery can be given. People, in a Machiavellian way, undergo small to major plastic surgeries to look better in order to attain certain goals. When extreme goals require extreme measures, the outer appearance is permanently altered to fit the requirements of society.
As we can see, one characteristic that one would usually regard as initially unattainable, has now changed status to being something attainable, albeit with extreme and exterior means. The reasons that spur discrimination, whether they are motivated by inherent characteristics or changeable abilities, they are regarded as lying within the person's characteristics and ability. The requirement of altering ones inherent characteristics should always be met with strong criticism and caution. In a society where people are discriminated for being ethnically different than the main population, gives people the idea that this inherent characteristic should be changed to meet to fit into society, which is of course something impossible and something one should never demand, directly nor indirectly. In short, to battle bigotry and racism, awareness about theoretic notions such as "racism" and ‘discrimination’ is a first step.
The Myth of Ethnic Homogeneity
The Korean ethnic-nationalistic sentiment is strong and up until today, despite recent migration statistics, many Koreans are convinced that the Korean society is still a homogeneous one. Korean people tend to believe strongly that Korea is a “pure blood” nation and strangely feel more connected with people sharing the same blood, such as overseas Koreans (교포, kyopo) who might not speak any Korean or who have never set foot on Korean soil before, rather than non-Korean people living in Korea since ages. Contrary to what is generally believed, this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” only exists since the beginning of the 20th century, more specifically since the Japanese colonial rule. Through the presence of the Japanese colonizers on the Korean peninsula and following colonial policies Korean people became aware of their ethnicity. The Japanese colonizers at that time used ethnicity as a means to convince the Korean people that they were “brothers” of the Japanese pure race, stemming from the same ancestors.
After the Korean War, American soldiers were stationed in South Korea. Many of them had relationships and affairs with Korean women, who then later gave birth to mixed-race babies. These babies often bared the stigma of being not “pure” and seen as a disgrace for the Korean people. Nowadays, similar to Japan, that idea of having a “homogeneous society” still lingers. If you would ask a Korean person what stance they take towards foreigners wanting to be naturalized and attain Korean citizenship, the answers might be shocking. For example, it is “OK for most of the people (read Western, white people) to become naturalized, as long as they show devotion (애정, aejeong) for the Korean nation.” However, other Asian people such as Chinese, Japanese or South East-Asian nationalities are much less welcomed.
Since Park Chung Hee, the government has used this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” in policies to create a unified feeling among its people. It can be said that strong nationalistic sentiments have been nurtured since the colonial period until the modern period. The nationalistic feeling of sharing the same blood has been encouraged and solidified in order to speed up the rapid modernization of South Korea in the last decades. However, strong nationalistic pride came along with (ethnic) prejudices. These prejudices, which can lead to openly discriminating, are justified with the excuse of “it is normal, because Korean people have not yet experienced or been in contact with many foreigners before.” Such statements are proof of the stubborn unawareness about racist behavior and are merely excuses to justify open discrimination. It is true that South Korea has not yet experienced a big inflow of immigrants compared to Europe or the United States; however statistics show that modern South Korea is rapidly changing into a far less homogeneous country. Some Korean politicians have tried to amend laws regarding ethnic discrimination, but they are often met with strong disagreements.
When any country wishes to peacefully harbor a multicultural and ethnically diverse population, bigotry, nationalistic pride and prejudices will have to make place for mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance. And a first step in this process is promoting ‘awareness’ about these issues.
Further reading:
Shin, Gi-Wook, "Korea's ethnic nationalism is a source of both pride and prejudice, according to Gi-Wook Shin." (Click here for link to article.)
And if you would like to read more simply type in Google Search: "Racism in Korea", you will find plenty of food for thought. However, keep in mind that every article needs to be read with caution and an attitude of skepticism.
I would suggest to do the same for the one I wrote here. I have written this short critical essay mainly from my personal stance and observations, with the purpose to put forward current issues in the South Korean society. It has therefore by no means any intention to offend anyone. I would like to clarify that I'm NOT trying to generalize all Korean people as being racist, unaware nor ignorant. Since there are plenty of Korean people who show awareness and who are trying hard to prevent ethnic prejudices from becoming justified. The only thing I'm argueing is for more efforts to sensibilize people about this important issues. If you have any questions or comments you can send me an email: lara.deboeck@hotmail.com.
Peace and also love!
So long,
Lara
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