Its In The Bag 11.1

In which Jen and Stafford discuss studying Korean online. The direct link is here. [mp3 8:16]

Its in The Bag S01E11.1

Here are the links we mention in the podcast, Sogang University and Study Korean.

I've Got A Pair of Twos

Brian provides more useful commentary on "The Poker-8". One can't help but agree with comments from Kushibo that in the audio provided by Korean Media Watch a certain amount of arrogance comes across from the protagonists as well as what seems to be a willing ignorance of Korean law concerning gambling.

Brian:

I've listened to the interview and read through most of the commentary available, and I have to say that while I've demonstrated a sympathy to foreigners being mistreated by the authorities, this group seems excessively annoying, ignorant, arrogant, and imbibed with a sense of entitlement

And as we all know, ignorance, is no excuse.

The fact that two of the eight tested positive for (presumably) cannabis use only strengthens the police case and that of the Media and it's sensationalist reportage. "The Foreign Menace" again makes it to the top of The Chosun Bimbo Ilbo's[한국어] home page for what might be the 4th day straight.

Kushibo also calls out Korean Media Watch for being biased:

starting with the biased-but-whoops-I-shouldn't-be-biased description by the Korean Media Watch representative at the beginning and one of the arrestees' comment that "poker was allegedly being played," as if he didn't know for sure. Ha ha ha... It's only been a minute and already the guy's being self-servingly deceptive. What are the odds he might just say all the stuff that will make him look as much like an innocent victim as possible?

The audio is all kinds of stupid. The supposedly objective "Korean Media Watch" is feeding lines and editorializing, and if it's the interviewer's voice I'm hearing, offering at least a little inaccurate information.

and

And the interviewer says, "It seems there are some legal differences between North America and here, but also some cultural differences." Nice downplaying, but it's still illegal.

I'm in two minds as to the bias or not of Korean Media Watch (and Michael Hurt the interviewer). Perhaps it's best framed as a high-road / low-road kind of thing. Take the moral high ground and win out eventually or play the Korea media at it's own game and get a few critical hits in while you're writhing around on the mat.

(Way too much UFC for me this week.)

Finally it's still not clear to what extent looking at events and people's Facebook profiles had in all this. A reality of Korean (if not straight up modern) policing is looking at posts and such on the internet. Much to my chagrin I have locked down my Facebook and Twitter, which is a disappointing but somewhat inevitable reaction to this little story.

It's a shame - especially considering the lack of any topless photos of me bombing beers through a funnel.

Oh well.

There's always The Bimbo I guess.

Yoboseyo? Pot, This is Kettle Calling.

So you'd be forgiven for thinking that English Teachers in Korea are, by in large Sex crazed, drug dealing morons.

Thanks to The Korea Times for a bit of Pot calling Kettle Black sanctimony:

Education ministry officials formed the largest group on the list of civil servants who were caught paying for sex.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Rep. Chang Je-won of the ruling Grand National Party, a total of 229 government officials were caught involved in prostitution last year.

Of them, 93 were local government officials and 42 education-related officials, including those at education offices in provinces and cities.

By ministry, the education ministry accounted for the largest number of 19, followed by the now-defunct Ministry of Information and Communications (Korea Communications Commission) with 17, and the National Police Agency with 15.

A total of 130 civil servants have been apprehended in the first five months of this year. Of them, education ministry officials accounted for 10, also the largest number among ministries, followed by six from the Ministry of Justice.

The number of police officers implicated in prostitution is also on the rise.

``We need stronger sanctions against violators, '' Chang said, insisting that the relevant law be amended.

(Emphasis mine.)

Points for consistency though - "We need stronger sanctions against violators" sounds quite similar to "We must tighten screening for the many unqualified teachers".

If there is one thing getting to me about living in Korea at the moment its the institutional and societal hypocrisy.

Dirty Dr Worth

Always a goodun' when one's local MP is in a bit of strife. Indeed this one had to resign from parliament altogether. And it has a Korea link:

The Korean businesswoman who complained about former Government minister Richard Worth is dropping the matter - and so too it seems are the police.

The allegation about events at a Wellington hotel was sufficient for Prime Minister John Key to say he had lost confidence in Dr Worth, and force him to quit as a minister.

Police would not confirm nor deny whether the woman had approached them to have the matter dropped, but sources close to the woman told 3 News she believes the political fallout from the allegation has been sufficient, and going through the courts would achieve little.

3 News understands police told the woman there was not enough evidence to take a case against Dr Worth.

According to allegations, outlined in an email from the woman to Mr Key, she and Dr Worth were enjoying wine in a hotel room when she felt tired, and went to bed. She was then awoken by a naked Dr Worth who was trying to get in to bed with her.

Dr Worth resigned as a minister and an MP soon after the allegations first came to light in early June.

Heehee! I loves me some Tabloid goodness. Video here. (Not, thankfully, of a naked Richard Worth)

(Via TV3)

Even More Troubling

[Update:] Korea Media Watch now has an audio interview with some of the foreigners involved. Download it here. (mp3 31:32) Of particular interest comments regarding what seems to be Police grandstanding and attempting to parade suspects in front of the media.

Related to the story directly below Korea Media Watch has more details on what the police are now calling a "Foreigner Gambling and Drug Ring"

Nice.

a group of Americans/Canadians were having a poker game that was raided. Apparently, someone called in a tip. There were 8 members at the raid, one of whom was female but was not asked to come down to the station to pose for the cameras today. 6 others NOT present at the poker game but had been players before were “asked to come down and make a statement” at which time they were told to take urine drug tests. The original 8 had already done so. Apparently, two of the original 8 tested positive, although no drugs were apparently found. This morning at the station, it was a press field day, with cameras called in and set up around a makeshift poker table IN the station. They were even asked by the Korean press to re-enact the game around the table for the cameras, which they refused to do. They also refused to grant any interviews

Smart move not to do the interviews methinks.

Talk about making the proverbial mountain! Since when does a private poker game turn into a gambling "ring"? Plus isn't there some sort of money limit that you're required to go over - a limit that would be far beyond the salaries of a few English teachers.

Disappointingly, upon being booked 2 failed the drug test (which under Korean law the police can compel you to take, so quite your whining) meaning that 2 people have fucked it up for the rest of us. And why didn't the woman that was present get brought along to the cop shop as well? 

Sexist.

(OK I'm kidding).

Of course the media is all over it. I can't wait to see what The Chosun Bimbo Ilbo comes up with this time.

As I said previously it looks like knowledge of the game did the rounds before it got to The Fuzz, but interestingly Korea Media Watch adds credence to the original claims that The Man is now interested in your Facebook - especially event invitations and status messages.

As someone who ardently defends the right to be totally open and transparent on the internet (look hard enough you'll find my bank account number) this is a bit of a shocker.

I'm gonna have to keep the old tweets a little less incriminating, and people, keep those party invites private - use the privacy settings. That's what they're there for.