So Koreans can watch a popular talk show on their cell phone in a moving bus. How cool is that? This fast-developing technology cannot always have benefits, but at least it’s moving forward in the sense that it makes our lives more convenient.

What direction does the Korean government heading into then? Stupidly and sadly, it looks like it’s heading toward one of its gloomy dictatorship eras such as the president Park’ or Jeon’s governments where they created conspiracy to brainwash, torture and kill people.

Why do I think like this? There have been quite a lot of incidents last year that made me – one who has just a remote interest in Korean politics – realize that there is something wrong with this president Lee Myung-bak and his government.

One example :

In October 2008, Korean president Lee said “Yes, I believe KOSPI will rise to 3000 next year (2009)”. Last October, KOSPI(Korea Composite Stock Price Index) plunged to 892 , 57% lower from its highest point 2085, which was just about a year ago. As of Jan. 9, 2009, it’s about 1180.

Yet, I don’t think there is anything wrong or especially, anything illegal about his remark. It’s not wise to say that in public as a country’s president, I don’t think, and I wouldn’t say it if I were Korean president. But it’s just an expression of one’s opinion.

About a month later, he also said “buy stocks, and you will get rich.”

I guess you could say that too, right? Again, I wouldn’t talk like that if I were in his shoes, but when he did, I didn’t think he was spreading false rumors. Of course, there was no accusation against him.

But when they heard about this guy, known as “Minerva”, posting his opinions and thoughts anonymously on the Internet in regard to Korean economy and Korea’s future, just like numerous other Koreans did, they didn’t think it’s appropriate. The government tracked him down and arrested him on charges of spreading groundless allegations about the country’s economy.

So what did he say in his postings? I haven’t read them yet, but according to the news, his opinions are summarized that KOSPI would go under 1000, and the Korean real estate market would go bad. Things like that. How manipulative was he?

Are the government people too ticked off because this “Minerva” guy is too accurate about what’s going on with Korean economy while the government is at a total loss? Are they jealous because he is loved too much by Korean Internet users? The majority of Koreans think the government has gone way too far and I absolutely agree with them.

I remember when I was around 10, 9 PM national news ALWAYS started with the president Jeon’s tasks-of-the-day no matter how huge accidents and events happened in Korea or in the world. No, we couldn’t just turn the channel. We only had two broadcasting companies back then and the news was broadcast when family got together and had dinner.

It’s been only a few years since I started to think that we are actually moving forward. I guess I didn’t see this coming when Lee Myung-bak was elected as the president.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 under Disgrace To Korea.