Diplomatic Dirt
On one hand, I'd think Ko San, ROK's first astronaut could find better things to do than mix dirt in space. On the other hand, there is a certain diplomatic symbolism involved by both mixing North and South Korean dirt (in a Russian spacecraft), and using Japanese technology for other experiments.
"We still think this is one country. So I'm going to bring the soil of North and South (Korea). I'm going to mix them up in space," he said. The 31-year-old scientist will leave Earth in April aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket and spend 10 days conducting experiments at the International Space Station.
(…)
The Ministry of Science and Technology said Wednesday that Ko will use equipment developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in his experiments at the International Space Station.
Japan and Korea will sign a declaration agreeing to cooperate in space exploration in Seoul on Thursday. Korea will use JAXA's portable device for measuring space radiation and an HDTV camera for Ko's space experiments.
I'm sure no Japanese equipment will touch the sacred dirt.
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8 months and 25 days ago
Perhaps because I live in Busan, ROK, the gross amount of hypocrisy tied up in the term «unification» is more apparent. So, Ko San's symbolic plan for mixing dirt, at best, makes me shrug my shoulders.
Most South Koreans and even politicians would admit that they don't want unification quickly, because the shock and strain on the economy would be painful. So, there is this plea for a long preparatory phase. But, for corporations, this is time sent aside for using cheap labor to gain market share. For the average South Korean, it's hopefully the generation's concern, so that «I»can keep my job and retire before the uncertainty.
But then, for foreign countries, it's shorthand for getting on Seoul's good side, or just the lack of anything wiser to do in NE Asia. I think political unification is a much more complicated and risky venture. I'm not sure all the regional governments involved are really on the same page. For instance, Beijing would probably prefer to keep DPRK as a buffer state, and keep ROK for trade. Japan would probably advocate the opposite of PRC regardless of the argument. The only reason I think Beijing would support unification is if it could be used a justification for its version of unification with Taiwan. And then, of course, Tokyo, would disagree vehemently.
Call me cantankerous, but I'd love Ko San to unveil a banner for some small South Korean company, or Samsung with a big slash across it. As far as political messages are concerned, bsting up the corrupt chaebols is the real dream for legions of South Korean unemployed who can't wait in line for a few lifetime jobs to open up.
8 months and 25 days ago
I like the symbolism. Presumably, this isn't his entire mission.
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