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From the Archives: Original Cover from our December 2003 Issue
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How the Internet Changed Korea...
...and how internet publications will change the world
Featuring an exclusive interview with Samuel Minje Cho, VP of a national daily South Korean newspaper
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by JENNIFER CHANG, editor-in-chief
*Notes on our exclusive interviewee: Samuel Minje Cho is the vice-president of The Kukminilbo, a national daily newspaper in South Korea. He was trained and worked as a reporter before he was put in charge of the Strategic Planning Department. Subsequently, he was promoted to vice-president. At present, he manages the Dizi-wave, a total e-Business solution provider as its president. The Dizi-wave has played an important role in helping the expansion of the internet media.The Kukminilbo was established in 1988 and is a very young newspaper. The Kukminilbo is ranked as 6-7th among the 160 newspapers in Korea. The Kukminilbo was based on the spirit of Christianity. It publishes an issue of 40 pages every day, and among them, 8 pages cover the news on Christianity. The number of Christians in Korea is 10 million, which is 22% of the total population of 45 million people.
Now the picture is clearer. In the United States, the faces of interpersonal and business communications have been changed forever. We saw the rise of the instant message, of the internet stalker/pedophile, and of the pop-up ad. Where a revolution has failed to materialize, however, is in the realm mass communication. Internet newspapers and magazines in the U.S. are little more than electronic versions of their printed forms. Online message boards set up on these internet publications for serious news discussion are instead flooded with lewd or racist remarks by posters who get their ya-ya’s from anonymously offending people. Of the internet publications that spring up independent of established printed publications, a very small minority last long enough to gain a large or regular readership. Using the internet as a forum for intellectual debate and a means to disseminate news to the general public has proven to be a failed experiment in the United States, and as America is one of the world’s technological leaders, it would be the logical conclusion that the same has happened worldwide.
And yet, surprisingly, this is not the case.
One only needs to look to South Korea to see an example of where internet technology is being put to the uses that the experts once predicted so optimistically for the world.
The Republic of Korea held its presidential elections last year on December 19th. The election pitted Roh Moo-Hyun (who favored a policy of financial aid and industrialization projects for neighboring North Korea) against candidate Yi Hoe-ch'ang (who favored hard line against North Korea in coordination with the US administration). When a few high profile supporters of Roh withdrew their support for him the hour before the polls opened, it was believed that the campaign would be lost to Yi. In a surprising turn of events, however, Roh won by 2.3 percent. Though this defied initial logic, it did not take long for political analysts to piece together what had occurred in the final hours before the polls closed. This correspondence from an intelligence analyst for the US Forces Korea (to a writer for smartmobs.com) tells the story in plain words:
What happened in South Korea marked the first time in history that the internet has played a decisive role in the outcome of a political election. The logical questions that follow, therefore, would be 1) whether the internet will be so influential in the politics of other countries that are just starting to embrace it, and 2) is such a change possible in America, where the internet has already established itself as more of a mode of entertainment than anything else.
To answer some of our questions, we turn to Samuel Minje Cho, who is fast establishing himself as the expert on the future of internet publications and their current effects on world politics. He has given several talks on the subject in various countries around the globe. What follows in the transcript of our exclusive interview:
The Worldly: Would you say that the boom in internet newspapers in Korea has been a recent phenomenon? What do you think started it, and what allows these publications to enjoy continued success?
Cho: The internet media boom in Korea does not have a long history. In my opinion, the internet media boom started in the year 2000. In particular, the recent presidential election in December 2002 was a great event in enhancing the influence of the internet media.
The internet media had some difficulty in their management during the last two to three years due to the sluggishness of the Information Technology industry, but the presidential election was a turning point in stimulating the internet media. The most important reasons for this kind of internet media boom are the wide spread of the broad-band network and the low cost for its users.
The number of people using the broad-band are already over 10 million in Korea and most of the Korean households and companies now use the broad band internet. As you well know, the OECD and the ITU recently recognized the Republic of Korea as the country with the most wide use of the high-speed internet.The internet media has shaped a new political culture. Owing to this kind of technical development, as has been seen in the events such as the two middle-school students’ death during the U.S military exercise of American troops in Korea, the World Cup match, and the recent presidential election, the young generation has surfaced as an important political power group in Korea.
The Worldly: Why do internet publications have such appeal in South Korea, and what do you think is the reason that they have had so much influence in the country's opinions and events?
Cho: As I mentioned before, the internet appeals to the young generation because of its high speed and easy access to information. They do not want to rely on the printed media any more. They want to use information any time that they need. The internet media satisfies their desire to get information at any time and anywhere.
The internet played a great role in gathering the young generation cheer-group, the ‘Red Devils’ together when the World Cup soccer games were held in Korea and it attracted the young generation in the recent presidential election who has had no interest in such elections before.
The internet is already positioned as a very competitive media compared to the television networks and the major newspapers. For example, the internet media ‘Oh-my-news’ is included in the 10 most powerful media in Korea.
The Worldly: Why do you think the same has not happened in America?
Cho: To be frank, I cannot explain the reason why the impact of the internet in the United States is not as powerful as in Korea. Even though many Americans use the internet, the broad-band network has not spread throughout the U.S. as it has in Korea. In my opinion, if the broad-band internet is not as widely provided, the speed in the wide use of the internet cannot be compared with that of Korea. Geographically, the area of Korea is about 1/100th of the size of the United State, thus it is a little bit easier to establish the broad-band network in Korea.
The Worldly: How would you say the internet publications have changed South Korea on the whole?
Cho: First of all, the media market has changed greatly. The internet media has changed the media market which the printed media had dominated before. Internet media has the advantage of speed. Because the internet media does not have the limitation of space, they can cover many events more in depth than the printed media. The internet media, the Oh-my-news and the Pressian have made great advances.
Second. the internet enlarged the generation gap between the young generation who are good at using the internet and the old generation who are poor at using the internet. Additionally, the internet provides broad opportunities for many people to express their opinions through the on-line media about social issues. Before the on-line media existed, only the leading opinion groups could present their opinions.
The Worldly: What do you foresee to be the FUTURE role of alternative communications in shaping the nation (in politics? in public opinion?). Do you think it is only a short phase, or do you believe this is a revolution that is occuring in Korea that will last for decades?
Cho: The on-line media is trying to develop various new ways to communicate information. The Kukminilbo is also trying to do internet-mobile broadcasting which is connecting on-line media and the off-line media. I think the internet media will advance greatly and make various types of new media in the future.
The Worldly: Do you think it will spread worldwide?
Cho: I think it will spread worldwide. The presence of the new media is not a temporary phenomenon. It will continue to develop around the world. I expect the present broadcasting, the press, and internet media will be changed considerably in the next 10 years.
It is important to note, in conclusion, that South Korea has only been allowed a free press since the late 80’s. The country’s rapid advances and increasingly innovative uses of the print and internet media since then have given the people a clear voice – one that truly brings about great change. It is an accomplishment that would be a credit to any country. Whether our own can make such effective use of the rapidly evolving internet technology to facilitate the democratic process remains to be seen.
A special thanks to the honored Mr. Samuel Minje Cho, who took time out of his busy schedule to allow our humble university publication an exclusive interview. His readiness to educate the public on this important topic is truly commendable and greatly appreciated by our staff and readers.
Internet sources: http://www.smartmobs.com/archives/000462.html, www.timeasia.com
The World in Sex-ty Sex-conds
Birds do it, bees do it, and yes, Australians do it.
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by CAROLINE OUYANG, exclusives section editor
Ah, sex. It’s a wonder how a mere three-letter word in our vast vocabulary is able to elicit and bring to mind incredibly powerful associations ranging from pop icons to skimpy undergarments (and, alas, oftentimes a combination of both). Or is it? Thanks to our contemporary flesh friendly media, sex is everywhere you want and don’t want it to be, a drastic change considering only decades ago the topic was a media no-no. In fact, sex seems to be the common denominator for a variety of products that would otherwise share nothing in common—Marilyn, lingerie, Maxim, oysters. What if there was a world where sex existed not as the focus of a marketing campaign but as a part of an individual’s cultural heritage? While it may sound far-fetched in this day and age, it’s true—there are still cultures that have a serious regard for sex and its significance.
In certain Australian, Melanesian, and Papuan tribes, sex is an important part of a young male’s maturation from a boy to a man. Before you jump to the conclusion that such a ritual is no different than that of young American youth eagerly anticipating the day they join their fellow birds and bees, take note that young adolescent males in these cultures begin their sexual development with other males in their tribe. That’s right. The initiation of boys into manhood starts with homosexual exploration. Giving oral sex to a slightly older male partner is a crucial part of young boys’ growth in some tribes. Such traditions are a perfectly normal and accepted rite of passage and viewed as a necessity for the youth to fully develop his sexuality.Young girls also participate in a sexual rite of passage which leads them to adulthood. In rural areas of the Republic of Malawi, female virgins undergo a special ceremony specifically designed to teach them how to please men sexually. At the end of the ceremony, they each sleep with an older man called a “fisi,” or hyena, whose purpose is to guide the young woman in her sexual activity.
Sexual intercourse has another purpose in other African communities: to cleanse a widow of her deceased husband’s spirit. In certain parts of Kenya and the Republic of Malawi, women who have recently lost a husband are subject to this practice before they are allowed to continue life as usual. Certain Kenyan tribes have a designated man, known as “the cleanser,” who performs the ritual. Kenyan tradition insists that the widow must sleep with the cleanser if she wants permission to attend her husband’s funeral. Single Kenyan women who lost a parent or child are also subject to this tradition. The Republic of Malawi basically practices the same ritual, but the man whom the widow must sleep with is her deceased husband’s brother. The intercourse must be completed before the deceased may be buried.
Talk about hardcore rituals. While modern urbanites treat sex all too casually, there is clearly another end of the sexual spectrum that is quite grave. Kenyan women and the Malawi president are urging against the practice of spiritual cleansing due to the rapid transmission of HIV/AIDS through unprotected sex. Sex isn’t all about stripteases or steamy reality TV—sex is also a critical and revealing aspect of an individual’s culture and the toll it takes on those it affects.
Rushing Russia's Economy
A failed project with world-wide repurcussions
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by WILLIS CHAN, staff writer
By popular vote, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected president of Russia in 1991.
When Communist parties staged a rebellion to depose Gorbachev, Yeltsin led the fight to withstand the Communist coup. After Gorbachev’s resignation as Soviet president, Yeltsin became a dominant player in Soviet politics and has since tried to improve the condition of his country. He began by reforming the Soviet government.
Despite the democratic shift of the early 90s, Russia’s economy remains unstable. Unemployment and corruption are still very common and the unstable political front hinders the possibility of a recovering economy. President Yeltsin implemented many changes in his administration. Decentralized corruption in the government system has driven prospective businesses to look elsewhere. Corruption also affects the tax revenue that the new government receives. Items such as aspirin are still difficult to find and buy.Russia’s inability to modernize production operations causes drastic devaluation of their markets. The country’s low quality of domestic consumer goods continues to limit all enterprises' profits. Ever since the collapse of communism, Russia has started running a trade deficit. Property rights and free market-oriented bureaucracy are new and unfamiliar to the Russian people. Russian political history does not include much, if any, popular participation, as matters of economics and government were always in the hands of the leading parties. Democracy is still a foreign concept to the Russian citizens who have become accustomed to living under autocracy and authoritarian rule. The newly introduced western ideals have yet to entrench themselves in Russian society.
In the past, Russian businesses produced high amounts of capital, but they did not have the technological advancement to catch up to and compete with other more productive countries. The factories were soon deserted and a population was quickly out of employment. The closed economy of Russia did not stimulate domestic economic growth and many trade opportunities were lost. Minimal international trade did not give Russia any comparative advantages. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made billions of loans to Russia, but poverty is still the prevailing economic status of most Russian citizens. Formerly state-owned businesses have been auctioned off at insanely cheap prices to very few high bidders.
These businesses have collapsed because of poor management and labor disputes. Meanwhile, interest rates have multiplied and the black market has grown immensely. Russia’s gross domestic product is very low, and the ruble, Russia’s currency, loses value as foreign investors decide to invest elsewhere. Many of the institutions characteristic of democratic systems remain weak in the former communist nation.
Reggae Regained
A look at the popular genre's roots, and the recent resurgence of its popularity
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by VIVIEN LUK, staff writer
Bob Marley, weed, and Rastafarianism. What do such things have in common? If it is not obvious yet, the answer is reggae. Reggae music sprang from Rastafarianism, the movement that spread the words love, freedom, and spirituality. Lyrics of reggae artists spread the world of Rasta, Rastafarianism in short. They tell a story about the struggles of African slaves and African people in general. Their fight for freedom is a common theme in reggae music as well.
Sean Paul is a dancehall reggae artist who made a breakthrough recently with hits like “Gimme the Light” and “Shake That Thing”. His popularity keeps skyrocketing as he continues to collaborate with some of the industry’s most prominent artists. Sean Paul’s sound is more closely associated with dancehall reggae, a style which is more upbeat than reggae itself. With catchy beats and half naked dancers, his songs and music videos are always in the rotation on MTV and VH-1.
A musical genius whose career began at the tender age of 5, Beenie Man, now 30, is looked upon as one of the superstars of dancehall reggae. His first album was launched when he was 10, and he is still making hits such as “Feel it Boy,” a collaboration with superstar Janet Jackson. Beenie Man’s lyrics cover a wide range of issues from politics to pop culture.
It is without a doubt that no one can or will ever replace the great Bob Marley, but artists like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, and Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, are definitely telling people that reggae is only going to gain popularity. Reggae, especially dancehall reggae, will be the sounds to listen for in the near future. It is already on high demand and many reggae and dancehall reggae artists are hitting the mainstream market. They are not sell-outs but artists who are not afraid to give the public a taste of their flavors and a piece of their minds.
Even though many people associate reggae with weed and drug users, it certainly does provide music to a broader amount of people than that. Reggae is music you can chill to. It brings people together and promotes unity. It creates more peaceful zones in this world. Reggae is not something people listen to and get rowdy over. It puts you in a relaxed mode; it creates euphoria. Everybody needs a little reggae in his or her life. Reggae is an excellent choice for parties, road trips, and those days when you stay at home because it’s pouring outside. Reggae selects no particular audience but is chosen by new listeners entranced by its rhythm, veteran loyalists, and those who just can’t get enough of it.
Rabbit-Proof Fence: A Film Review
A film about British thunder down under
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by MEENADCHI GUNANAYAGUM, staff writer
Wild rabbits brought as sporting game by the British quickly began to terrorize the country, as they lacked any natural predator. In order to defend the land, the British set up the rabbit-proof fence. This fence, built in the early 1900s, was the longest fence in the world, stretching from northern Australia to the south. The wild rabbits were kept on one side of the fence thereby protecting the farmland on the other side. In 1911, the British enacted the Aboriginals Ordinance. This act created the office of Chief Protector. He became sole guardian for every aboriginal or half-caste (biracial) child born on the island. It was his responsibility to raise the children in a civilized manner – basically to breed the black out of them. This process began by separating the children from their aboriginal roots and placing them in missionary orphanages. From there they could be instilled in society as domestic workers and the rest would follow. A. O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) held this position for 25 years, retiring in 1940. In 1931, he set his sights upon three half-caste girls, Molly (Everlyn Sampi), her sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury), and their cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan), born and raised near the rabbit-proof fence. The girls are forcefully removed from their mothers and taken to the Moore River orphanage. There they are witness to beatings and intimidation used to keep the girls in line as well as the preferred treatment of lighter children. After suffering in this state for too long, Molly, 14 years old, riles up her younger and less decisive compatriots, seemingly ages 8 and 10, announcing it is time to return home. With no food or water, Molly uses her wits, ingenuity, and luck to fend for her family and to elude the scouring police. Eventually she finds herself against the rabbit-proof fence, realizing it could be their guide home.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is insightfully acted. Entirely devoid of high hysterics and melodrama, this film brings a simple story home to its audience. Sampi is a powerful character as Molly, never losing sight of her goal. “They came and took us one day…They told us not to speak our language. They told us we had no mothers. I knew they were wrong.” Branagh’s acting is equally significant. I barely recognized the outspoken Hamlet in this demure, well contained role as a man acting on his skewed impressions of right and wrong. The film raises and revives fierce opinions on British imperialism, the damage it’s done worldwide, and reparations/apologies that ought to be made. Aboriginal children were taken from their families all the way through the early ‘70s. Sixty years worth of children are therefore referred to as the Stolen Generation. They were denied their culture and identity, leaving them in a space of racism and confusion. Rabbit-Proof Fence is a story that bolsters the spirit to highlight one’s inner strength. The final ending of Molly, Gracie, and Daisy is one I suggest you discover for yourselves as it was a sincere experience I will not forget.
Pillars of Salt - A Book Review
A gripping tale of woe, love, lust, and insanity, set in the backdrop of an Arab world.
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by JAMIE THORNTON, staff writer
“… I will recount to you an horrific story…unfold the multi-layered secrets of both past and present,” and this is exactly what Fadia Faqir does in her fiction novel, Pillars of Salt. The first chapter begins from the point of view of the ‘best story-teller in Arabia’ yet it is actually a story about two women who are committed to an insane asylum in Jordan and why they were sent there. But do not think that this novel is about mental psychosis or conditions in foreign mental hospitals. Fadia Faqir’s novel is a heart wrenching tale about two women stripped of their humanity based solely on the fact that they were born female and stood in the way of something that a male in their lives wanted.
Maha, the main character in the novel, shares her story about a beautiful love with her husband -and eventually child, - in the midst of the British Mandate. This political war ultimately kills her husband and leaves Maha and child in the hands of her violent and hateful brother. After the death of her father, Maha’s brother has complete control over Maha’s physical life and exerts this power at the first sign of her desire to control her and her child’s fate. The point of view switches from her to the storyteller who gives another perspective on Maha’s story and paints her as Jordan society would: he patronizes her every action with the idea that as a female she was born as though she was evil incarnate.
Um Saad shares a room with Maha in the mental hospital and shares her life story with Maha; Um Saad, who bore many sons for her husband, becomes old, like him, but also becomes worthless in her husband’s eyes so he replaces her with a younger wife. Um Saad’s children begin treating her like a lowly servant in her own house until her husband finally commits her to the insane asylum.
Yet all of these events are known almost immediately and so the true heart of the story rests in experiencing every aspect of these two women’s lives and what it took to make these strong, self-possessed women into broken heaps of pain, despair and outrage. Neither woman survives the repression nor subjugation that constitutes daily life for the majority of Arab women, - yet the author manages to convey the idea that these women share their stories for the next generation in hopes that something will change.
Fadia Faqir writes a vivid story rooted in the ancient tradition of Arabian storytelling. She breathes life into her characters from the very first page and creates enough suspense to make the book impossible to put down; the heat, the sand, the orange trees, the young, almost naïve love between Maha and her husband turn the story into one that won’t be forgotten.
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