Some of the emails I periodically receive include those from a NGO called "PEACEWAVE," obviously its local branches are located in some of neighboring countries around Korea. A small organization such as this brings me some fresh perspectives on many ongoing issues yet, disregarded by many. So I dearly appreciate they did not forget me and kept updating me with new messages, even though I attended their meeting only once. Today, the message from it contained an introductory ad on a public speech by an immigrant worker with respect to the tragic incident occurred approximately a month ago at the detainment center for illegal immigrated workers in Korea, located in a southern city of Yeo-su. (several detainees were killed by the fire, suspectedly ingnited by an incendiary. The most problmatic thing here was the guard didn't unlock the gate even when the fire became unmanageable and safely evacuated themselves. As a result, victims locked in prison-like cells had to face their death in such a tragic way.) Harsh treatment against illegal immigrants and distreminatory actions toward foreigners in general (particularly toward the 3D workers from South East Asian countries) have been recognized by many from long ago, but only publicly criticized by few NGOs. But the incident brought the sensitive issue to the table and insisted Koreans now is the time to seriously face the issue rather than hide it to save their faces.Being an alien in a few countries over last decade, the issue wasn't something much strange subject to me.
Many thoughts crossed my mind when encountering the news. Although I certainly share the thoughts what the NGOs argue, i.e., the fundamental human rights of illegal immigrants should be secured by all means, I have to admit that more of Koreans take a rather conservative stance when they come to tricky parts of the issue on how to draw a line between protection of illegal workers' rights and protection of the nation's sovereignty. More importantly, the thing really bothers me the most is discrimination between illegal workers from the first world nations and those from the third world nations. Illegally working foreigners do not only come from less developed nations. But those who suffered from abuse from their empolyers, delay of wage payment, being non-recipient of health insurance, etc. are mostly from less-developed countries. A child molester from the US who had been sentenced and served his terms in jail has travelled and taught Engish in many countries in Asia without any legal interferences. Among the countries he set his foot on included Korea, where he completed his contracts with a few private English institutes teaching children under age of 10, and it was only when he went back to the US that people found out he, a sentenced child molester, taught children in Asia. What about a french couple who killed their own two children and left the infants' bodies in the fridge of their own apartment in Seoul before departuring for their home country, France? When being interogated by phone, or other telecommunicating devices after a rather lengthy period of domestic investigation in Korea, they simply denied any charges upon them, and scornfully expressed their intention not to come back to Korea. How simple is that for them? Countless crimes carried out by American soldiers, mentioning about them seems not much worthy any more, because Korea doesn't have any right to prosecute the crime doers under SOFA treaty. Despite all the above-described horrendous precedents, the majority of Koreans are maintaining their stance on the issue, distinctively favoring some over the others, which amazes me greatly.
This morning while serving my morning ritual in the subway commuting to the office, couple of articles on ongoing war in Iraq and Afganistan attracted my attention. It is not that I haven't seen those articles before, but for some reasons, I felt so close to the tragic stories in the region this morning. I felt glad to realize that my heart and mind are still working and longing for the betterment for all, but at the same time, felt incredibly miserable and helpless with a sudden attack of doubts, i.e., if things would be any better with sacrifices from some people?
You see, there are so much of miseries, saddness, fights, killings, hatred and vengeance everywhere. They are so immense, certainly enough to discourage any ordinary minds. I try not to disregard the FACT that there are also much of hope, smile, love, caring, respect and compassion, too, which are not so hard to find if we carefully look around. I think the point is which side we decide to look at, and depending on that, we together will eventually make differences. well... hopefully in a positive way..,,, enough of this..
