- Aug 16, 2011
- 128,152
- 24,182
- 2,180
'Dokdo' island classes to become mandatory for S Korean children ? Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion
You cannot overestimate the capacity of Koreans to get worked up over any issue that they feel threatens their national pride. Understandable given their history. I remember a few years back when there was a national contest among school children to make posters indicating how much they hate Japan. Participation was required. A few years before that there was literally screaming and crying national outrage over a Speed Skating race in the Winter Olympics because the eventual winner, after a referee's controversial call, was Japanese-American. When Jay Leno made a joke about the over-reaction, there was more outrage over that. Some might use the word 'hysterical,' but perhaps 'impassioned' is kinder. That same passion, when directed in other ways, manifests as a great capacity for industry and achievement in all areas.
You cannot overestimate the capacity of Koreans to get worked up over any issue that they feel threatens their national pride. Understandable given their history. I remember a few years back when there was a national contest among school children to make posters indicating how much they hate Japan. Participation was required. A few years before that there was literally screaming and crying national outrage over a Speed Skating race in the Winter Olympics because the eventual winner, after a referee's controversial call, was Japanese-American. When Jay Leno made a joke about the over-reaction, there was more outrage over that. Some might use the word 'hysterical,' but perhaps 'impassioned' is kinder. That same passion, when directed in other ways, manifests as a great capacity for industry and achievement in all areas.
