Nut Job Released

North Korean officials are, for some strange reason, releasing Robert Park back to the United States. Park, 28, was caught Dec. 25 when, like an idiot, he crossed into North Korea from China on a missio to bring God's love to the North.

Park originally said he wouldn't leave until all the political prisoners were released. He seems to have changed his tune a bit, if the CNN.com article is accurate.

From the story:

'In reporting the release, the Korea Central News Agency said, "The relevant organ of the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] decided to leniently forgive and release him, taking his admission and sincere repentance of his wrongdoings into consideration."'

Well, that's a pretty weak missionary, isn't it? He went in with this big goal of his, and ended up giving that up pretty quickly. I'm not so sure Jesus would've ever let this guy crack the Big 12, or even the top 100.

Another interesting piece of the story:

'KCNA earlier carried a lengthy account of what were said to be Park's misunderstandings about the North and how they had been proved wrong since he had crossed the border.

During an interview with North Korean authorities, he reportedly told investigators that "he was taken in by the false rumor spread by the West and committed a criminal act in the end."'

Ah, now it's starting to make sense. He was taken in by false rumors from the West. So, let me get this straight, and keep in mind that I'm being totally sarcastic and cynical. This crazy, embarrassing excuse for a human being wondered into the North on this grand mission from God. But, he was apparently treated quite well by the officials and citizens.

So, he decided that maybe all that stuff about political prisons, people dying of starvation and other terrible stories are just myths that the West thought up for no good reason.

Well, that makes perfect sense to me. But, one quick questions ... Do we have to take this guy back???

Honorific Words Decreasing?

A Korea Times column says there is a big decrease in the use of honorific words in the country. One of the trademarks of the Korean language is the fact that different endings on words and phrases signifies the level of respect and honor it shows the person to whom you're speaking.

There are three levels. One is super-polite, where "im ni da" is on the end of everything. This is the one that would be used for grandparents or bosses. The next one is formal but not overly polite. This is the one that puts "yo" on the end of everything. It can be used with friends who or older than you or carry a higher job title.

The last one drops the endings altogether and simply uses the word or phrase itself. Sometimes, "ya" is put on the end of this one because it is more comfortable for Koreans to end statements and words with that sound.

The weird thing is the anecdote the column uses to display its proof of a drop off.

From the column:

'This concern was highlighted recently when a 39-year-old judge reprimanded a 69-year-old man during a trial, saying the latter was behaving “rude.”

Many Koreans found the “young” judge’s remark very “inappropriate.” The oldman indeed may have behaved in an ill-mannered way. But in the Korean language, the term “beo reut eop da” (rude) is exclusively used by an older person in rebuking someone who is younger. For many Koreans, the judge’s remark was unacceptable because the role was reversed and he was 20 years junior to the oldman.'

 I understand the guy was older, but -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- a judge is in a position of authority and should be the one commanding the most respect in that room. It shouldn't matter that the man was older. And for that matter, he was on trial and probably was being quite rude.

I don't know how society used to be, but I can tell you that students ALMOST NEVER use the polite forms of words. Ninety percent of them only use the casual to teachers, other adults and authority figures.

Koreans my age and a little older still know to use the super-polite with their bosses and other superiors, but I don't hear them use it when speaking to their parents or grandparents. I understand that it's family so they're very close, but by conditioning them not to use it like that, it only makes sense that it becomes less frequent.

I use the formal "yo" almost all the time. With my very close Korean friends, with younger Korean friends and even with students most of the time, I use the "yo." I realize I don't have to, but it puts me in the habit of using it. That way, if I am talking to a boss or grandparents or someone like that, I'm conditioned to be polite.

It's true that many foreigners learning the language don't do this. Now, many of those who learn only learn survival words and phrases. They understand that there are different levels of formality, but they aren't concerned with learning it, using the fact they're foreign as a way to excuse themselves from it.

It does make me cringe when I am with someone who uses a Korean phrases without an honorific ending. I don't want to be grouped in as someone who doesn't respect the country enough to be polite and formal. Of course, that's why I try to do most of the talking when it's to Koreans. Haha.

Brian Deutsch Leaving Korea

A fond farewell goes out to Brian Deutsch. Brian is a fellow Pittsburgher and the current premier KBlogger in the land. A link to his blog can be found on the left side of my blog.

Everyone should go check out the profile done on him by The Korea Times. It's certainly worth reading.

Brian served the foreigner community very well with his blog, and certainly there is a huge hole to fill when he goes.

Thanks for everything, Brian!

Chinese and North Korean Officials Meet

China, the one country with any real diplomatic ties to North Korea, sent an envoy over this week to have a discussion. Though an official statement has not yet been released about the topic, South Korean agencies have relayed their ideas.

From the story:

'On Sunday, Wang and North Korean Workers' Party officials held talks in Pyongyang and exchanged views on strengthening ties between the communist neighbors and "matters of mutual concern," the official Korean Central News Agency said in a brief dispatch. ...

 'South Korean media, including the Yonhap news agency, have reported that Wang's trip to North Korea appears aimed at pushing the communist North to rejoin the six-party talks on dismantling its nuclear program in return for aid and other benefits.'

Realistically, China probably has the best chance at persuading the North back into nuclear dismantling talks. The North sees the Chinese as an ally, whereas they see the US as an enemy.

But at the end of the story, North Korean officials reiterated that they would like to build a better relationship with the US. I suppose the best way for North Korea to go would be to get on the good sides of the world's two reigning super-powers. Not a bad move, there.

Floating Island Makes Headlines

A small story about Seoul's man-made island in the middle of the Han River was on Yahoo News. The island will be party of an entertainment complex. There hasn't been much talk of it in the English-language news over here yet, but I'm sure when it nears completion, we'll hear more about it.

From the story:

'"We hope that the floating island will serve as Seoul's new landmark," a Seoul city government spokeswoman said.'

World Cup Prep

Japan and Korea will be preparing for the World Cup in the East Asian Championships being played currently in Tokyo. China and Hong Kong will also be in the tourney, though not in the World Cup.

For the World Cup, Japan has been drawn in Group E against Cameroon, Denmark and the Netherlands at the World Cup finals while the Koreans are in Group B with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece.

I expect the Japanese and Koreans to meet in the final of the East Asian Championships, with Korea prevailing.

South Korea World Cup Flashback

Here's a great story on espn.com of South Korea's second appearance in the World Cup back in 1986. They were drawn in a tough group that included Argentina.

Here's what Maradona had to say about playing the Koreans, whose current coach, Huh Jung-moo, was a member of that 1986 team.

'"I remember Huh very well, of course," Maradona recently told the Argentine media, after South Korea were drawn with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in a tricky-looking group for this summer's tournament. "In 1986, the Koreans played taekwondo - not football - against us. I still remember Huh."'

That's a pretty funny statement. The Argentinians and Koreans will meet again this summer. It should be a slightly different match, but don't expect a different result.