South Korea Low on Nationalism?

South Koreans rank low in National Pride. Or at least that's what the "National Pride in Cross-national and Temporal Perspective" (PDF version) research report from the University of Chicago noted this spring. The report, published in the International Journal of Public Opinion Research, discusses both "General National Pride" and "Domain Specific National Pride." In both cases, the report notes that National Pride is different than Patriotism or Nationalism (and this can be readily seen from the way in which the questions are phrased).

When I first saw the news reports that ranked South Korea number 22 out of 33 nations for National Pride, I was rather confused. This is the nation that has taken nationalism to new heights of silliness, like the bee-man Tokdo protestor, harbored a four-year grudge against a U.S. speed skater (issuing threatening letters as well) until getting "revenge" at the 2006 Olympics (a somewhat unsatisfactory victory, apparently, because Ohno didn't compete in the final round of one key event), a nation that refuses to eat foreign rice, that virulently protects its domestic movie industry while surging a Korean Wave abroad, a nation that holds on to its history like few others, a place where half-Koreans are only now gaining a bit of acceptance (and that only after a Korean-American won the MVP in the Superbowl), a country that cheered when Carrefour and Wal-Mart failed to make it in the Korean marketplace, a place where the government sponsors searches over the entire internet for "factual errors" about Korea (like calling the East Sea the Sea of Japan or mentioning Korean dog-eating in a dispariging way)... well, you get the point.

Korea is the epitome of a nationalistic nation. Or so it would seem. Koreans will violently defend their nation against any perceived external slight or insult, against any percieved encroachment on tradition or territory. But candidly, at least by this survey, they are much less in love with their country. And if you have ever interacted for long with a Korean, you will realize the amount of pent-up (and occasionally un-pent) frustration and anger with their own government, system and even society.

The questions asked in the survey were as follows:

A. General National Pride
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly Agree/Agree/Neither Agree nor Disagree/Disagree/Strongly Disagree

1. I would rather be a citizen of South Korea than of any other country in the world.
2. There are some things about South Korea today that makes me ashamed of South Korea.
3. The world would be a better place if people from other countries were more like the South Koreans.
4. Generally, speaking South Korea is a better country than most other countries.
5. People should support their country even if the country is in the wrong

B. Domain-Specific National Pride

How proud are you of South Korea in each of the following?
Very Proud/Somewhat Proud/Not Very Proud/Not at All Proud
1. the way democracy works
2. its political influence in he world
3. South Korea's economic achievement
4. its social security system
5. its scientific and technological achievements
6. its achievements in sports
7. its achievement in the arts and literature
8. South Korea's armed forces
9. its history
10. its fair and equal treatment of all groups in society

In the first part (General National Pride), South Korea fairs relatively well, coming in 16th overall with a score of 16. When checked against various groups within the country, older Koreans put the number much higher, as do the less educated and those from the Honam (Cholla) region (something interesting in itself, given the long sense of abuse felt in Honam, though that may account for the region's higher sense of pride and defense of Korea's perceived place in the world).

On the second half, Domain-Specific National Pride, Korea does rather poorly, coming in tied with West Germany and Latvia (all three rating just 1 out of a possible 4) and barely rising above Taiwan, Poland and the bottom-rung East Germany (The two Germanies are divided for the survey to give continuity to a previous survey).

Koreans may be nationalistic, and they may be willing to cover themselves with tens of thousands of bees to show their national fervor, but when it comes down to it, they remain a rather dissatisfied lot, at least with their government and social achievements.

This is reflected in their elections, where political parties rise and fall with a stunning rapidity, where support can be turned to anger at the drop of a hat (or the drop of a sexist remark) and gained back just as rapidly with a facial wound, and where Presidents find themselves lame ducks half way through their administrations, with their own parties turning their backs on them.

It is also reflected in the power (and vagaries) of the civic groups that blacklist politicians, seek out corruption (occasionally getting caught themselves) and create support networks that will do anything from candlelight vigils to attacking those who say "rude" things about disgraced scientists who fake their results. And this sense of civic group power even slips into the realm of the bizarre, with massive e-mail and web attacks against pop-stars who are seen as going a little too far insulting other pop-stars in variety shows like SBS's X-Men (an interesting description of the show, if you havent seen it, is on the Big Apple Blog).

It will be interesting to watch these rejectionist politics in motion as Korea votes in local elections today, and the contrasting nationalistic fervor that will be shown over the weekend as the World Cup is about to begin. While the University of Chicago survey may not be an accurate reflection of Korean opinions, it does force us amateur pop-sociologists to take a closer look at the cultures we watch, and not simply reach for the simplistic moniker "nationalistic."

Message In A Mao Visit

Mao Anying's family and relatives have left North Korea, and with their departure, the subtext of their visit continues to percolate in Pyongyang.

Mao Anying, son of Mao Zedong, was killed in North Korea in November 1950. He has since been revered by North Korea as a martyr, and a sign of the true blood-relation between China and North Korea. Mao’s words at the loss of his son were reportedly "In war there must be sacrifice. Without sacrifices there will be no victory. To sacrifice my son or other people's sons are just the same. There are no parents in the world who do not treasure their children. But please do not feel sad on my behalf, because this is something entirely unpredictable."

The visit of Mao Anying's family to North Korea is apparently a first, at least as far as the KCNA has bothered to publish about in recent times. For a relationship filled with symbolism and important dates, sending Mao Anying's family in May seems a bit odd. June will mark the anniversary of the start of the Korean War, July marks its conclusion, October is the Chinese intervention and November was Mao Anying's death.

The symbolism of the visit, then, is not necessarily about the dates as much as it is about the perceived sacrifice. Mao Anying's participation in the Korean War reflected the oft-repeated mantra of Chinese/North Korean relations being "as close as lips and teeth." While this has come to reflect the commitment between the two nations, the origin of the phrase included a second line - "when the lips are gone the teeth get cold," a clear Chinese notion that its participation in the Korean War was much less about fraternal ties with North Korea than it was about protecting the Chinese frontier.

China is now facing an internal crisis, one that is shaking the very core of the Communist Party and threatening to fracture the nation as has happened so many times before throughout history. Even if one doesn't take as dire a view of China, it is clear that economic and social inconsistencies threatens the stability of the state, and Beijing’s number one concern is internal cohesion. In that sense, North Korea has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand, as long as China can show it is useful to the United States in dealing with North Korea (hosting the six-party talks, for example), it can buy space and time from Washington, allowing greater resources for dealing with internal issues. But North Korea has also become a grain of sand under the Chinese eyelid - Washington has placed China's handling of North Korea as a key criteria for how the united States deals with China, and Pyongyang exploits this Chinese problem.

Beijing has now, through Mao Anying's family, reminded Pyongyang that China will protect North Korea in times of war with the United States. This is part of the "security guarantee" that Pyongyang has demanded as part of the nuclear resolution. This also clears up some concerns in North Korea about rumors in recent years that, in case of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, China would intervene and essentially create a protectorate of North Korea (all the Koguryo hype was part of this).

But the visit is also a reminder that Beijing will only intervene if it views its own interests threatened. If North Korea doesn't get back into the talks, China may determine Pyongyang is more of a detriment than a benefit, and if that were the case, intervention would take on a whole new color.

North Korea's leadership is discussing this, and the recent hint from Washington that another North Korean demand, that of a peace mechanism to replace the 1953 Armistice, could be met in talks if they are restarted soon, is playing into the discussions. For Pyongyang, the pressure from China is increasing, the carrots from Washington are dangling, and relations with South Korea... well, they remain the North's ace in the hole.

And For Desert...

OK. I like Kimchi. I like many varieties of Kimchi. I have a Kimchi recipe book or two. I have eaten it with eggs, in soup, and wrapped up in tortillas with beef and cheese. But this one seems a bit much. I know Korea has been having all sorts of contests to internationalize Kimchi, and trying new fusion Kimchi recipes, but Kimchi Napoleons??? (or, if you want to be fancy like KBS World Radio, "Light Pastry Cream Kimchi Mille-feuille.") I am both aghast and inexplicably drawn to the concept. Perhaps it is more like the tamarind rolled in hot pepper and sugar I had from Thailand - odd sounding but oddly tasty. Or maybe it is just the idea of "candied kimchi" that is made as a step toward having these lovely looking Kimchi Napoleons. Who knows. But the more I think about it, the more likely I am to try to make these.

Lanterns, Tequila and Amusement Parks

So today is Buddha's 2550th, Cinco de Mayo and Children's Day. How to celebrate all at once is a bit of a mystery, and it is very important not to confuse the lanterns with a pinata... As for Children's day, I have always wondered why they need their own day. Every day seems like Children's day, as far as family priorities go. But with no amusement park nearby, I guess I'll just take the kid to the toy store.

Stinging Commentary on the Tokdo/Takeshima Debate

OK, this is one I haven's seen before. I have seen self-immolation, cutting off finger-tips and writing messages in blood, self gut-stabbing, driving SUVs onto the parliament's steps and lighting the SUV on fire, pulling out one's own intestines onto the floor of the parliament... but this one, it certainly makes a statement, though I am not sure what the statement is...
This is a Reuters picture of farmer Ahn Sang Kyu in his May 2 protest against Japan's claims on Takeshima. Apparently that swarm is some 180,000 bees.