The 1914 Christmas Miracle

The Christmas Truce in 1914 was a moment of unexpected miracle during the First World War. Right up until Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, German, Scottish and French soldiers fought as no other war. All three parties had a reason and was not going to turn back. But when Christmas Eve arrived the holiday spirit pranced through the trench. And for a full 48 hours there was a moment of peace and humanity that no men could have ever expected.

The 2006 film Joyeux Noel depicts this warm Christmas spirit.
http://www.historicaleye.com/xmastruce.html

A night before Christmas Eve, such movies remind us of what human heart could do. There is snow outside tonight. It looks like we are going to have a very white Christmas, a kind that we haven't seen often in Korea.


Merry Christmas with love

Extraordinary Merry Christmas

Extraordinary Merry Christmas.

The greatest gift of all is to be able to give back to those who you love.
Another year has gone by. And it would not have been the same without them.

Thank you 2011.

See you soon 2012. Another extraordinary year awaits us.

Merry Christmas!

Clausewitz

"In the beginning, Clausewitz wrote to change an army; in the end, he wrote as devils chewed his soul. No happy man thinks deeply or writes well." (p.xvii)

"Clausewitz had the gift that comes to few men of seeing clearly then drwaing universal conclusiosn from the partiality of experience. Intuitively, he spotted relationships where others saw only disparate events and sensed the constants underlying the disruptions of his age." (p. xi)

- Introduction to the On War, Clausewitz by Ralph Peters.

Papers + Books

The more you read, the more you will know.
The more you know, the better your writing becomes.

Final exam and paper period in graduate school.

We should take nothing for granted

"The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process. We should take nothing for granted."

- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, farewell address, January 17, 1961


Yes, we should take nothing for granted. Appreciate it, cherish it, and be thankful of it. Because every moment, every person, every work you are earned and given may be something that someone else will only dream for.

What 1919 Paris tells us.

In 1919 Paris, at the end of World War I there was hope. Most of the powerful countries were present, most of the powerful leaders were taking an active lead in initiating a change to the broken world. Their six months of effort must not be forgotten. Yet, as we see from history, we see again how the War is torn down during World War II and the Cold War. Even today, current world politics show how the deep economic integration and globalization has not prevented someone from declaring war. So then, are we ultimately a failure in becoming a true "peacemaker"? Is by human nature such effort impossible to do?

In a sense, the true effectiveness of a "peacemaker"s role is often evaluated through history. Through time and history, we are able to have a better sense of who meant what and why certain things didn't happen certain way.

Still, as I review these stories, I am constantly reminded how history would remember us today of these moments. How can we measure ourselves as a good leader, a wise person if our good "peaceful" efforts may not always bring that good result? Is the initiation good enough? How do we know which one is the right one? How much time should pass for us to know which policy and which decision was the "right" one? Right one, as in what standard?

President Wilson became quite ill since he returned back to Washington. He was consumed with the deep failure of implementing his dream in US and Washington. The key is for policy makers and leaders today to not fall into this trap. The trap of letting one dream consuming oneself to the point it kills you. We are only human. Don't try to do everything by yourself. Let your team dream that dream with you. And let the time and world show what is the right one. But don't forget to work through your consciousness. Because your heart will know what decision is the right one. Let time and history to tell.

Dream with your team. Trust your instincts leaders.

DC

Sometimes you have to flip the map to understand what the city is really like. Washington, DC the heart of politics, the diplomats, the government organization, and passion. This is where I am. This is where I study. This is where I hope to make a step toward my future.

English NIE Project Manager. On Today's Paper

May 17, 2011
Chosunilbo, 조선일보

"세계 지도 놓고 글로벌마인드 배운다" ... '영어 NIE 수업' 인기 확산
"Learn Global Mind through the world map" ... ' English NIE education' becomes popular hit

Check out the original: ARTICLE


Afterall, all the hard work and late hours become worthwhile, when you see the smiling student's faces in each class. My role as the Project Manager at English NIE at Chosunilbo has truly given me the chance to both learn how to be a good leader and teacher. And also how to be creative, demanding, and challenging with both my students and myself. I will miss my time here very much, and look forward seeing it grow, as I have through this program.

Remembering March 1st in Korea

March 1st, 2011

In Korea, today is a red day in the calendar. That means you stay home because it is a holiday. My student said once that all red days mean "no work day" and should be all "play days." That initally sounds right. But here I was again at the Chosunilbo office at the same hour as usual. I had a project to finish so the red day did not mean much to me. Only impact was on the road. The road was completey empty since most people where resting so I reached the office faster than I expected.

It was snowing outside. It was March, the start of spring, but there were white flur flying around in the air. Light but scattered around to create a huge white body.

Was the weather that cold in year 1919 too? I looked out the window to see the white body shaping and disapearing in mid-air. March 1st Movement, the so called Samil Movement, was one of the important Korean resistance movements during the Japanese military occupation of the Korean Empire. The word Samil Movement literally means "March First Movement" in Korean.

Since the Japanese military brutally and forcifully occupied Korea in 1910, Koreans have constantly tried to gather and seek a way to gain their nation's independence. But most movements impact were crumbled. Thus, most national heros started to go abroad to seek international support. It was President Woodrow Wilson's speech at the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I that became a starting point. At that meeting in January 1919, President Wilson laid out the "Fourteen Points" with the right of national "self-determination." Around the same period, Korea King Kojong suddenly passed away and rumors were said that the Japanese poisoned him. As the news spread, in Feburary 8, 1919 Koreans who were studying abroad in Japan started to gather actively in Tokyo to announce Korea's need for independence.

In Febuary 1919, 33 nationalsts formed the core of the Samil Movement at Taehwagwan Restaurant in Seoul and read the Korean Declaration of Independence which was drawn up by the historian Choe Nam seon and the poen Manhae. The leaders signed the document in February 27th and sent a copy to the Japanese Governor General with their compliments. Copies were made to be distributed for the comunity. And on March 1st, young students and citizens gathered around the Tapgol Park at 2pm where Jung Jae Yong stood at Palgakjung to announce the Korean Declaration of Independence.

Mansae! Mansae! Mansae! Mansae!

(Horray! Horray! Horray! Horray!)

The cry went on and on and on. Approximately 20 thousand Koreans shouted out those word, "Mansae! Mansae! Mansae!." The Japanese colonaizer where horrified. They fired and tried to threaten them to stop the Korean people. But it was no use. The voice only grew louder, and the message was already spreading. Soon before they knew it, the word "Mansae" was in the air in every other city in Korea. The Korean people's voice continued, and the Japanese national and military police could no longer contain the crowd. The Japanese military even shot through the burning windows of the church to ensure that no one made it out alive. People were hurt but their heart was on fire.

Nothing was going to stop them.

Approximately 2,000,000 Koreans had participated in the more than 1,500 demonstrations that followed. Many were massacred by the Japanese police forces and army, but their dedication and effort lived on. In fact, the Samil Movement influenced Gandhi's non violence movement in India and China's May Fifth Movement. And most importantly, Japan had to eventually losen up their control in Korea. Womens found new opportunity after the movement to express their views for the first time in Korea. And soon the movement became the starting point for the eventual independence of Korea in 1945.

I got off the bus and started walking to my office. Today is that red day in the calendar. The street was quite empty. Most people where probably still in bed. The office was empty too. But would we still be here if March 1st 1919 did not exist. Would I still be here as a Korean in Korea? At one point yes, but not on March 1st possibly. The air was quite fresh. It was spring in the air. But it was also a historical day to remember.

Being back in Korea makes me think back of my history often more. Korean in Korea thinking of Korea is something that one should do more on a national day like today.

Reinterpreting Korea

February 2011

One of the best ways to get to know a city is to take a city bus. It was rush hour when I left the office. The street was busy and the city lights were starting to lighten up the busy street of Seoul. I was tired. But I needed to move from Gwang hwa moon region to Gang nam region. Geographically, I was crossing the Han River to reach my destination which was far. Yes, Seoul is quite big. Plus rush hour crossing those two regions where it has the highest traffic was a nightmare. No explanation needed to explain the heavy traffic at those two regions.

I was tired after my work and just ready to reach my destination. I wasn't expecting anything else. But that is when I saw Seoul. Seoul all over again. I mean, really, Seoul was big. Not just because of the traffic, but I couldn't help myself but gasph at the energy Seoul city had. It was alive and bright.



I have a short story that I tell my friends lately as comparison. In the past few years, each morning I start off my hour with a jog or long walk. In Geneva, an hour would be a full walk around the lake of Geneva. To make sure I make it a full hour, I had to walk far far away from the main center of city, so by the time I make my turn back toward the city center Geneva city was a little dot. And I would look back with a smile. But in Korea, for just an hour, I walk around my apartment village three times. Yes, just three times!! If I had to do something similaar in Seoul then, like walking across the Han River, that would be about a good couple hours. And Han River is only a small part of Seoul.


That was just the start. As our bus climbed over the Namsan Mountain and passed the beautiful Han River, I saw it and I felt it. Seoul, seoul and Seoul's soul. It was exciting. It was growing. And it was dynamic. I couldn't help myself smiling as I looked down at this city. What excited me the most was I was here. Living here, right now.

And still continuing to reinterpret Korea, my Korea.

Curious? You will see when you come.
Be my guest.

Draw Hope

Tongyong, South Korea

There are many ways to share hope. You can give hope by contributing, sharing, giving, and even..drawing! This is how the community of Tongyong citizens did for the elderly neighborhood town called Dong Pi Rang.

Dong Pi Rang is a small region on top of the hill full of poor elderly people who live mostly in small rooms. As the city continue to grow, because of its rising tourism and regional development, the regional real estate representatives tried to kick them out. In fact, they have already started tarrying down few houses on top of the hill. It was a good deal for the real estate people since this was a good place where you could see the beautiful mountain and ocean scenery of Tongyong. Yet, hope was there.



A group of people started volunteering. One by one. Artists, students, village people, and more started to gather around this region to give hope. It was small, but brilliant. What they started to do was drawing. Drawing! It was a wonderful project indeed. As people started to draw cute and illustrations along the empty and shallow walls of Dong Pi Rang hill town, the hill was no longer a dark village but became one of the most attractive and colorful place in the city. More contributed and sooner or later..by the time we visited at least...there was a wall full of illustrations along each path way you walked.

I was walking up the hill of this region for at least 20 minutes or more and the illustration never stopped. In fact, now looking closely they all had different themes. But what was all common is that they were brightly colored full of happy spirit. And now this region is one of the "must visit" places when you visit the city.

Each illustration goes beyond the imagination. And each illustration is drawn by different teams of people who re-draw and re-decorate this place to refurnish hope.

The illustration is beautiful. But what amazes me is how they made use of it with the reality. Compare this one with the one below.

Yes, behind the white bared windows drawn is this illustration.

Draw hope.

I smile again.

Busan City

Photo Essay 3

Busan City
South Korea
Febuary 3, 2011


Busan city is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul. Located in the South of South Korea, the city has a population of around 3.6 million. It is also the largest port city in South Korea, and the fifth largest port in the world.

With its beautiful beach scenery close by, Busan city has experience hosting international events such as the 2002 Asian Games, and APEC in 2005. In 2005 November, the city officially announced its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games too.

So what is in Busan other than the beach and such international hosting history? You'll be surprised but the city is also full of rich and well dressed people. As I walk the street, I'm surprised constantly how well dressed Busan people are. There are nice cafes and restaurants that I would usually expect in Seoul, and many are sitting enjoying their typical meals here. The city is crowded with foreigners too. As you walk the street it's common to see Indian, Caucasian, and even Japanese or Chinese.

It was good to come for a relaxing vacation over the Korean new year.
Busan is a city indeed, and a relaxing one to enjoy for food, culture, and nature.
If you have a weekend to spend, you should book your ticket to Busan please.

The night view of Busan beach is just beautiful

Flying in front of Gwang An Lee

Cafes near the beach

Good Morning, Beautiful Hae un dae

Walking along the Kwang an Lee beach

Odusan Unification Observatory

Photo Essay 2
February 1, 2011

Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju city
파주, 오두산 오두산 통일전망대
http://www.jmd.co.kr/

The Odusan Unification Observatory is as close as most South Korean civilians could get to North Korea. The Panmunjom DMZ (demilitarized zone) is the closest one could reach to see North Korea from South Korea and vice verse. But in South Korea, only foreigners are permitted to visit the DMZ, which makes the Odusan Unification Observatory one of the only places South Koreans a rare peak at the forbidden neigbhor.

Located on top of Mt. Odusan, the stone building first opened on September 8, 1992. And just across the Injim River and Han River, you can see the forbiden land. Unlike DMZ's intense atmosphere, the Odusan Unification Observatory is calm and silent. Yet, just a closer look out there is the tip of North Korea.

Will there be a day soon that we will go across that river....
That land that is so close and, yet, so far away...

The Icy Injim River

The blue mark is where the South Observatory is.

The red mark is where the North is.

That is how close we are.

The view from the Observatory


Inside the Observatory



List of countries that participated in Korean War

Photo Essay: Incheon City

Photo Essay
Incheon City
Winter 2010


Just an hour or so away from Seoul is Incheon city.
Incheon is where the new international airport is.
Incheon is one of the closest city to North Korea.
Incheon is a harbor city that many may not realize..

And Incheon is where my home town is.


To cherish the warmth of this city
here are a few photos that I have taken.

In the middle of field

Incheon city harbour

Incheon city harbour

Incheon China Town

China Town must try food "Ja-Jang Mun (짜장면)"

A Lesson from a Beggar in Geneva

Do you know the difference between a beggar in Washington, D.C. and in Geneva?

In Washington, D.C., they are the biggest symbol of un-welcomed group of people because in a capitalist society, they represent the poverty and the unfortunate ones with no money and no power. The concept is no different when you step into London, Seoul, or any other society that you consider money centered, which is the world that I was used to seeing. So when I saw one smelly beggar enjoying his morning black coffee peacefully at a nice outdoor cafe in Geneva I was surprised. In fact, for the locals this was a common scene. Him sitting among a grand parent couple and two business people sharing morning coffee was not a problem to the locals, which only surprised me more. Was I the odd one to feel this unusual?

In Geneva, and most other cities in Europe, as a socialist society money is secondary to human well-being. So even though a penniless beggar asks for some cash in the street to have a coffee, people say 'why not, they are human too who also have the right to enjoy their morning coffee.' I began to see how people here did not obsess over money, work, or power the same way they do in other capitalist societies. Because though money is an important measure of wealth, it is just one single part of life and is believed not to be the goal of life for many people.


That is probably the same reason why you rarely see (or actually I never saw any during my time at Geneva for eight months) any store that opens 24hours. The grocery stores close sharp around 6:00 and does not open on Sunday's. Other than the restaurants that open to serve lunches, the post office, banks and pharmacies are mostly closed during the two hour lunch break most people take. In fact, restaurants and cafes are open only for certain hours so you might make a trip by mistake forgetting that its a day they do not open.

At first, being someone who was used to taking the 24 grocery market to kill time at midnight, these living conditions was troublesome. Especially, having lived my first few months with a local Swiss landlady, I witnessed the visible difference in the meaning of consumption. At first, I just thought it was a few things she wanted to keep the old style. But soon I realized the reason why all her furniture, products were old was because the mentality of Swiss people was that 'you fix and reuse the item you own until it breaks down, but you rarely would go exchange it out for a complete new version.'

The lesson was important for me as someone who grew up all her life in two capitalist cities, Korea and the United States. In the US or Korea, it was the complete opposite. In Korea, for instance, following the most popular fashion, the most well paid job, and the most recognized title was a big-must-trend. Thus, at one point, you realize that the majority of people become identical. But people can't stop avoid doing because they don't want to be considered the 'old fashion.' Plus, it's much easier to buy the big new version that is not only cheap with a discount but also convenient at the 24 hour store across the street. But no, in Geneva, you reuse the old kitchen facility that you had since the 1980s because this is how it has been.

Now being back home in Korea working and witnessing the dynamic city run around money and these title again, I remember what I had felt while observing that beggar few months ago in Geneva. And just as this beggar, my time in Geneva taught me not only how to enjoy life as it is and follow your true passion, but also how to appreciate taking rest and all ups and downs as an experience. Big dreams are good, but it is not necessary to stress out on the competition or become the ultimate workaholic to hurt your health. Beggars in Geneva not only get morning coffee and pensions but are also full of smiles. At Geneva, I had promised myself to live a happy life of my own not influenced by money or society.

So far, I think I am keeping up with that promise, and will be in this new year too.

Change in Korea Media

In Chosun Newspaper
Seoul, Korea
January, 2011

I was lucky. The timing was perfect for me. The year 2010 was a tipping point for Korea in a number of ways, and especially the fall that I decided to return: the G20 Summit in Seoul, North Korea's attack at Yeonpyeong Island, the rise of Kim regime's dictatorship in North Korea, and the rising conflict between China-US politics over the Korean peninsula. But on top of all those events, Korean media was about to go into a new revolution.

In the United States, both public and private companies can request the right to have a full comprehensive broadcasting licences. A comprehensive broadcasting channel means that its comprised of all different program such as news, drama, sports, entertainment, children's, movie, and education. In Korea, such right is not granted to private channels and only the government sponsored channels such as SBS, KBS, MBC can create such a TV schedule. The biggest reason why the Korean government has prevent such liberal action was because consider how small our country such regulation may allow certain groups to monopolize the entire media. The biggest fear, in fact, was the domination of newspaper industry into the broadcasting section. Thus, for the past centuries Korea has placed a set law that a company can do either broadcasting or newspaper but not both. And even as a broadcaster the company was allowed to focus on only one topic, such as music, film, entertainment, education, language, or religion as a cable channel.

As a result, the December 1st deadline was a big moment in the media world in 2010. After years of debating, the government had finally announced in 2009 that those who are interested they may submit their proposal and plan for a broadcasting channel to the government by December 1, 2010. Thus for the past year and a half, major newspaper industries such as Chosun, JongAng, Dongah, and Mekyeong newspaper has dedicated their time and effort to prepare this big chance to win a licence into the new world. There were both excitment and hesitation throughout the process. Even till the final day of the annoucement of December 31st there were constant rumors of how this will only give those major newspaper more rights to monopolize Korean's media.

I joined the team in the last two months in which they needed to deal with foreign media representatives. About six major newspaper and three smaller groups planned to submit the proposal. So all the work and details that we were working on had to stay confidential to prevent it from being leaked to the other team. The final selection, the government said, would be based on those who record over 80 points out of 100 points. The score will not be comparison but done by case by case. Still there were concerns that no matter how much each groups has prepared the government will permit no groups to do such monopoly in the media.

Well, surprise, surprise. Despite everyone's concern, on the last day of 2010 the government officially annouced that four newspapers have won the right to create their own comprehensive broadcasting liscence. Chosun Newspaper, of course, is one of them. I was thrilled of the news. Yet, excitment cannot last that long. The plan is big and time is ticking already. According to the plan, which has been annouced on the Chosun newspaper, Chosun plans to open their broadcasting channel by Fall 2011 and start their 24 hour channel as soon as possible. Few things to keep in mind is: a building, the staff, the supporting elements, and the time to mature. Since I have been in the process, I am pretty confident that it may all be possible. But it would be no lie to admit that this is not a easy task.

In fact, opening a new broadcasting channel brings new implication not only in the media world, to see how newspaper conquer and expand their media power in the field of broadcasting but also in society. More jobs would be created, and more spaces would be given for media development and other industries related to this field such as PR or advertisements. Yet, at the same time, you have to ask "what would this mean in Korea media?" How much investment and power are they hoping to put in the broadcasting channel compared to their newspaper? Are they planning to balance out both or just heavily on one end? If all the major Korean newspaper are doing this, how are the other smaller newspaper or media groups expected to survive? Would Korea have just four dominated opinions and lose all the smaller opinions?

It has been only three days since the announcement. There are many parts yet to be discovered. But its not too far away that such questions will be dealt. Time will tell. And hard workers will be rewarded.

(To respect the company's confidentiality, the details of the projects will not be discussed.)

[Introducing my office. Behind the piled papers is my spot where I sat hours and hours.]

[Seeing the impact of North Korean incident. It's not everyday how one news could take over the entire newspaper's front page. Here it was the day after the bombing incident this was on the newspaper for days and days.

Yeongpyeong Island was haveily destroyed due to this incident and is still in recovery since this day. North Korea still argues that the South has attacked first, whiel the truth relies that they have fired two times and directed their missiles at the island where civilians live. The attack was unprepared and many were hurt and lost. What is to be expected the next day now, that is unknown. ]

Seoul: Night Beauty

December, 2010

Eight years has passed since the last time I walked in Korea every day. Since I went abroad for my education and work I realized how much I have missed out of my home country, South Korea. The year 2010 was a good year. Not only for me but also for the country. This was the year we opened up more widely to the global society for meetings such as the G20 and took a more active lead in international affairs and economy.

The change was visible. Everywhere I went there was change, change, and CHANGE. Eco-friendly drive-way, newly designed architecture, and more traditional preserved places written in English for tourist to travel comfortable without a single word in Korean. More nice cafes and more foreigners who have made themselves comfortable in a land they knew no one before they arrived. But most importantly the dynamic vibration could be felt every block I walked. Yes, the city was clearly ALIVE.

[Guang Hwa Moon (광화문) is the entrance to the ancient Palace. Behind this building lies Korea's historical past, but also its present in the Blue House that lies behind the Palace.]

Maybe it was because I have been hibernating in quite Heidie's little Alps house for the past few months that this non-stopping city seemed like a volcano erupting madly with excitement. Does that make sense to you? Well it sure did to me, after few weeks being back at home. Especially now going to Seoul for work everyday from Incheon -my home city is about a 2 hour bus distance from the city of Seoul - I could feel fully how big and energetic this community was. A simple comparison. When I was in Geneva I used to jog along the entire lake and even further down the city to make a full hour run. Now in Korea, I do the same hour jog by walking around my apartment complex three times. Yes, only three times. So imagine if I did that entire root in Seoul from one river across the other, that would have taken me already more than 2 hours by bus so you can imagine how much longer it must be on foot.

[The busy night street of Seoul city. People, light, cars, building, all says I am here: ALIVE.]

If this is how excited I felt as a Korean being back home to Korea, I can't imagine how it must feel to my foreign friends. You don't have to speak the language or know the culture to feel this vibe. It's as if you can feel the never-ending heat in Berlin when you step in the city even when you don't speak a word of German. Now having spent the past four months back at home and working full time at a hard core Korean newspaper industry, I'm learning a lot more of this country that I left behind. And I am excited to say that there is a lot more to be discovered. I will share some parts of my journey here because they are just too good to be kept in my cell phone all day.

[Tourist or local, Myong Dong (명동) is the place to be. Here is one of the most crowdest street in Seoul. Full of food, shops, entertainment, and people all night light, all you get is FUN all night.]