Understanding Koreans - Five Things That Define Korea

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The following excerpt from this somewhat controversial columnist is worth a read by new arrivals to Korea. While some may not want to swallow it whole, it does provide some useful insights and parts of it did resonate with many long time foreign residents.

".... The 5 Things That Define Korea:

1. KOREA IS A TRIBAL SOCIETY: Tribalism, as it is used here to describe Korea's brand of nation-based ideology, predates the nation-state concept. In fact, Korea is not quite at the stage of modern nation-state in the way its behavioral guidance is still shaped by its inner factors, such as tradition, kinship and shamanistic beliefs.

In short, Korea is still a society made up of tribal consciousness, where bloodlines, language, subconscious and unconscious are interwoven to form the basis of its daily thoughts and actions.
Along with Korea, we may name Serbs, Greeks, Russian peasants, American Indians, Kurds, Gypsies, Armenians, most Arabs, among others, as having variously displayed behavior traits largely based on tribalism and tribalistic characteristics.

First and last, all Koreans are identified among themselves by their ``Korean-ness'' ― the accidental nature of having shared their ethnic commonality ― not by another achieved factor such as education, class, universal humanity and morality, or rational agreement on ideas or philosophies. Being Korean overrides all other considerations. This Korean tribalism, different from nationalism (although they are often used interchangeably), is what most Americans notice when they first encounter Korea.

2. LINGUISTIC EXCLUSIVENESS SHIELDS KOREA: What makes the Korean brand of tribalism possible is their language. In their national language of communication and consciousness, more uniquely Korean than any other cultural factors, most Koreans find it impossible to think objectively or rationally about themselves or others outside their society.

The Korean language makes it impossible for them to think outside that linguistic-cultural orbit. The language is not just a tool of communication for Koreans. It is the subconscious, even unconscious, chain that binds Korea's hearts and minds and souls.

Once you acquire the language as a native, you can never escape that orbit. This may not be wholly unique to Korea, as other old tribal societies with their uniquely tribalistic language systems are often characterized by this exclusiveness. Still, the degree and intensity of this exclusiveness, tied to their linguistic heritage, is quite remarkable for Korea.

3. KOREA BELIEVES IN ITS SPECIALNESS: True, every society, in its myth-making and tribal lore, feels special in some ways. But for Korea, this specialness is also one of its defining characteristics. In the deepest core of their emotional and tribalistic being, Koreans cannot and will not accept any outside critique of their culture and personality. Koreans cannot think objectively about themselves, their culture, or their place in the world.

Ignoring the surface sophistication of foreign cultural imports, such as fashion, which they freely imitate from other cultures, they are forever locked into the mode of thinking ― and conviction ― that Korea is infallible, unique and destined for greatness. Even surpassing the Arabs and Central European nationalists in their intensity of passion and messianic conception, Koreans are nothing if they are not convinced of this providential endowment of specialness and uniqueness.

4. KOREA IS IMPENETRABLE TO WESTERNERS: Corollary to the above, Koreans will never change their core beliefs and habits of mind, no matter what. They are already famous for rejecting anything they regard as a criticism toward Korea, even if made in a friendly manner.

In spite of the easy adoptions of technical or fashionable artifacts from other cultures, mostly from the U.S., Japan and Europe, Koreans are constitutionally incapable of change on the deepest level of their existence and consciousness. Americans are easily lulled, by the numerous signs of Americanization or Westernization ― witness McDonald's, automobiles, high fashion, trips abroad ― to think that Koreans are or can be just like them. They are soon surprised and frustrated to discover that, at the core, Koreans are impenetrable and immune to change.

5. KOREA IS CONSTANTLY IN CONFLICT WITHIN ITSELF: Because of such a state of existence and consciousness, Korean society remains in a constant state of conflict: Between the pressure from globalization and internationalization that demands rationality and Westernization, on the one hand, and the impenetrable and unchangeable core of Korean-ness that is primeval and blood-thick, on the other. Nothing illustrates this confusion and conflict more dramatically than college students who shout anti-American slogans during the day but dream of going to America to study or to live after the shouts have died down.

Even during the height of anti-American protests, a survey of Korean college students showed that a majority preferred ``American citizenship'' to their own Korean nationality. ......Individually, Koreans are some of the most self-diffident, friendliest and generous people on earth. Few nationalities take strangers into their midst and hearts as readily as individual Koreans do. As a tribe, more than as a modern nation, however, Koreans change their character dramatically. Together as a ``Korean Tribe,'' they are as unreasonable, irrational and rude as they are sweet and generous as individuals.

For the column in its entirety, go to http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/08/272_49833.html

14 comments | Add your comment

Siegfried, 2009-08-28 11:45:31

This article is complete nonsense and should be removed from this website. To read the Korea Times is intellectually cruel enough.

Dom, 2009-08-30 19:15:35

fairly well written but over generalized to refer to "Koreans" as all Koreans...yet, there is a tendency with new generations to speak more and better English and openess to westerners, not quite
acurate about " Koreans will never change their core beliefs and habits of mind, no matter what" as many do, as most people change slowly anywhere in the world with time, new gernerations. I also find that I am glad that Korea can maintain much of its culture as well in this "non change" and not become to western. I also think the word "expat" is an old term and soon will be out dated as language, as more people become aware the the word 'patriot" is a form of propaganda to induce one's loyalty to country, and things like treason for slandering a King for example are long gone. I am still Canadian, and perhaps half Korean, not an expat.
This is a geat site for information.. Cheers..

dcrofton, 2009-08-31 13:58:25

I have seen facets of the contents of this column in my years in Korea, and would agree that as a group, they are very different than they are as individuals, but that goes for every people. The generalization doesn't work all the time in this article either, but there are, again, elements of truth, and you will find people who seem to fit this columnist's opinion to a T: especially ones in higher positions in Korean society (age, occupation, birth order etc).

Tony, 2009-09-01 09:45:32

interesting.. to read.
this makes me think Australia is far more seriously troubled tribal states as the writer calls it.

i don't think this article explains korea at all.
but just mere view of the writer over human psyche when dealing with foreigners.

Jobs, 2009-09-01 10:17:10

interesting article

Cee, 2009-09-01 15:35:50

I agree with #2 completely, but the others - eh, it can in one's perspective.

Like what Tony said, this article just doesn't explain Korea at all.

seoulicious, 2009-09-02 08:54:13

there's an issue with point #4... have you seen korean news? korea is one of the most self-critical societies on earth. the statements they make about their own country would make the untrained ear think they hate their own nation.

alxart, 2009-09-12 18:31:48

I'm so tired of reading such rubbish, especially the way it's written as though it's a fact. The fact is that this article is as bigoted and narrow-minded as anyone from any nation. Tribal? If you feel like this toward this country and its people, I say go home and stop taking their money. Did you ever wonder why the students demonstrate against America? It's that Americans come to their country and insult them. And I know they don't all dream of coming to America and becoming Americans. Give me a break!

jg, 2009-09-17 23:44:28

I have encountered a fair bit of intolerance amongst expats/foreigners living in Korea. I'm starting to get fed up with the ongoing crticism I hear about Korea. I feel uncomfortable and embarassed when we go on and on about this and that with Koreans all around, or worst still in our circle of friends as though they aren't there. Yes engage, debate but if you don't get it in the end remember you're on their turf and not the other way round. I couldn't agree more with alxart: why come here in the first place if you're just going to bitch and moan about the place. Rather stay home and earn your money there.

Sorry, 2009-09-25 08:10:14

this will sound terrible,

but i think alot of white people cant deal with being in korea because they dont know what its like to be a minority. Hence the bitching, moaning, and complaining.
Being a minority, i am already used to being singled out for my differentness.

k4E Admin, 2009-10-11 14:59:31

A reminder to everyone that we welcome your expressing disagreement with the content of the article or the point of view of the author. However, comments that contain personal attacks and offensive language are deleted.

I think..., 2010-01-31 07:26:23

This article should've stated that this is a point of view. Do not insult anyone related to this article. I you want the truth, go to the damn country yourself. Geez, remember no matter what country you are, there are the racists and there are the non-racists. In all countries there are all kinds, that's what 'diversity' can also mean. Besides just cause its from a newspaper doesn't necessarily make it true. Analyse criticise and decide for yourselves. ^^

Friend of Korea, 2010-06-24 12:09:55

If the Korean people are so rigid and inflexible as the author says, they would not have so-readily embraced wholesale changes to their society. Two monumental adaptations come to mind: 1)Discarding thousands of years of history and tradition, Koreans accepted almost overnight, a new alphabet and a phonetic writing system developed by King Sejong in the 16th Century that is used today (Hangul). 2)Although the tradition-conscience South Koreans practiced Buddism since the 4th Century, they quickly and fully embrassed the new religion of Christianity. In less than 100 years Christianity as overtaken Buddism as the largest practicing religious group in Korea.

Fa-q, 2010-07-17 10:29:53

In my opinion, I think that most Korean's do think they are infallable. They refuse to believe they are imperfect.

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