Perception gap between Korea and abroad

Koreans had long complained that foreigners underestimate them. Nowadays, however, Koreans are puzzled by how foreigners seem to overestimate them.

Positive news stories regarding Korea’s achievements abound these days. For instance, in arts and entertainment, rebellious Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s film, “Pieta,” recently won the coveted Golden Lion for best film at the 69th Venice Film Festival. Meanwhile, rapper Psy’s track, “Gangnam Style,” became a worldwide online sensation owing to its unusual dance moves, catchy rhythm and humor. In sports, Korean athletes’ stellar performance at the 2012 Olympics and 2012 Paralympics in London also caught the attention of the nation and the world, as they ranked fifth, ahead of Germany, France, Italy and Japan, and 12th, respectively. Thus, foreigners are now looking into Korea’s elite sports promotion infrastructure.

In terms of the economy, Korea surpassed Japan and China in the latest sovereign ratings. According to the OECD, Korea has the lowest government debt-to-GDP ratio among the well-to-do countries, both in the East and the West.

These positive stories should be the source of encouragement and pride for Koreans, including for President Lee Myung-bak. The President should be earning a higher approval rating for a job well done.

On the contrary, Koreans are puzzled over the positive perception of the country overseas, citing the many internal woes that haunt the country. Meanwhile, the President’s approval rating is low, and the government keeps a low profile, believing this is not the appropriate time for trumpeting feats.

The Koreans’ pessimism can also be observed in their reception of the works of some of the country’s notable achievers. For instance, before winning at the recent Venice Film Festival, Kim’s films were considered a series of commercial blunders, and many cinemas were reluctant to show his films. Consequently, he has long lived in seclusion in a makeshift home on a remote mountain, frustrated over the lack of public interest in his “wayward” films. Similarly, many Koreans had numbered Psy’s days as a performer, before he became an unexpected global sensation for “Gangnam Style.” However, as his upbeat music video became popular in many countries, including in the US, Koreans began to reassess his musical talent.

Koreans are scratching their heads as the country’s sovereign rating hit a record high, given the country’s internal economic problems. Once again, for instance, the government proposed a mini-stimulus package Monday to energize the economy, as the growth rate is expected to be around less than 3 percent, below its potential. This single-digit growth rate represents an unprecedented economic depression for Koreans, who had long been used to the double-digit growth in the 1980s.

Likewise, Koreans are also puzzled by how the OECD lauded the country for its “low” government debt, when in fact its government debt has been growing fast. The debt of public enterprises, including that of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH Corp.), are not reflected in the OECD statistics. Similarly, many local autonomous regions, including Incheon City, are struggling under piles of debts. Although inter-Korean tension is still high, overseas rating agencies view such tension as manageable.

Meanwhile, banks face another shakeup as mortgage debts have risen to a dangerous level. Koreans have become more indebted than Americans mostly owing to heavy debts linked to their houses. The Korean property market, which is now in a serious pinch, is expected to produce more ”house poors,” namely those having homes but struggling to pay property debts.

Another serious source of the country’s pessimism is its high suicide rate, the highest among OECD countries for eight straight years. According to 2010 statistics, 42 South Koreans committed suicide each day, or 15,566 a year. A survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed that one in seven Koreans had thought of committing suicide at least once.

The widening economic polarization, the erosion of the manufacturing industry and the falling birth rate (making the country one of the fastest-aging societies in the world) are a few other sources of pessimism for the country.

Many foreigners view the recent positive performances of Korea in the economy, arts and entertainment (e.g., film, music) and sports as reasons for a can-do spirit for the country.

However, many Koreans believe they have lost their can-do spirit, which had previously led to the growth that surpassed that of the global economy. They still perceive the many woes that haunt the country, including the widespread corruption and the deadlocked politics. The trickle-down effect from the chaebol that currently dominate the economy, can seldom be observed; without these few high-flying conglomerates, the economic growth rate might have been either zero or negative. A widening income gap also keeps the have-nots from reaping the economic fruit.

Why does such perception gap exist between Koreans and the rest of the world? First of all, Koreans tend to downplay and seldom appreciate their achievements. Although Korea is better in the economic performance than many countries, including the U.S., the EU and Japan, it seems Koreans are plagued by an inferiority complex that they have yet to overcome, a byproduct of foreign domination and colonization. This perception seems to be based more on people’s perceptions rather than on reality or facts.

Pessimistic Koreans say that the country is on the brink of collapse, as it exhibits Mahatma Gandhi’s seven signs: (1) politics without principles, (2) wealth without sweat, (3) pleasure without scruples, (4) education without character, (5) science without humanity, (6) commerce without morals and (7) religion without sacrifice. That Korea is on the brink of collapse may be an exaggeration, but the seven phenomena identified above have been observed in the society.

With less than three months before the presidential election, Korean voters are yearning for a leader capable of maximizing the country’s untapped potential through national harmony and social cohesion. The next president, therefore, will have a tough time in meeting the people’s expectation, as voters want a miracle maker. <The Korea Times/Lee Chang-sup>

*Lee Chang-sup is the executive managing director of The Korea Times. Contact him at editorial@koreatimes.co.kr.

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