O Christmas Tree

This is not a great picture, but it demonstrates the complete randomness that I find so endearing about Korea. This tree is literally in the middle of a busy six lane thoroughfare near my school where I catch the bus. It's not big or flashy like the official city Christmas displays, and it is not clear who set it up, or who it belongs to — it's just there for those passing by to enjoy. Nice.

Christmas in Korea

As I make way around Seoul during the lead-up to Christmas I can't help but feel full of the holiday spirit. This is partly because I'm counting down the days till I fly home to be with my family, but also because the city is just so downright festive. Energy costs be damned, Seoul has been set ablaze with lights. In fact, some buildings downtown are covered with so many white lights that the result is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The light display at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall can be seen from ten blocks away, and the ice rink that has sprouted up on the lawn rings with the happy sounds of people skating under the stars (yes, you can actually see stars — I guess the smog free skies are one consolation of the bone-chillingly cold clear nights!).

On of the most spectacular displays can be found at the Millennium Seoul Hilton. When you consider that this tree is supposedly worth C$3600, then I can only imagine the price tag for the four-story behemoth that graces the Hilton's lobby. It was also nice to see that the reason for the season was so prominently commemorated.

Last night Jessica and I had a great time seeing The Nutcracker at the Sejong Center. This was my first time seeing a ballet, and I was awestruck by what the dancers could do with their bodies. Say what you want about ballet, but the athleticism displayed and the obvious punishment the dancers endure to their bodies is undeniable. I was impressed.

To get a small taste of Christmas in Korea, click here to see a slideshow of my recent Christmas-theme pictures.

South Korea stem cell success 'faked'

The stem cell research scandal continues to brew here with the BBC now reporting that much of the research of stem cell pioneer Dr. Hwang Woo-suk appears to have been faked.

Click here to view the BBC News report.

This is explosive stuff. Dr. Hwang had been elevated to the level of national hero, and success in the stem cell/cloning field has become a matter of national pride. Some are already calling these developments a "national humiliation". It is hard to overestimate the impact this story has here—even my grade four students know who Dr. Hwang is, and have talked proudly of his accomplishments. The shock of recent news is palpable.

Update: Dr. Hwang has been removed by the editors of Scientific American from his honored position as Research Leader of the Year on the 2005 Scientific American 50 list.

More news links:
The Cloning Crisis Clouding Korea
Hwang Crucial for Korea’s Image
SNU Sets Up Panel to Check Hwang Research
Hwang Shock Sends Stocks Into Freefall
U.S. Scientist Withdraws Name From Hwang Paper

South Korean families are driven to achieve, but at what cost?

There is an interesting article in today's Seattle Times that raises the question of whether or not children's identity as individuals is being compromised or even lost by Korean society's obsessive pursuit of academic achievement. From my perspective there is something just plain wrong with a third-grader being in class until 11 p.m., especially since I am skeptical about just how much learning is taking place versus rote memorization. As the article says, "Korean schools produce good bureaucrats but no creativity."

The Supercloners of South Korea

There is a very interesting piece in the New York Times (free registration required) today that raises some doubt about the widely acknowledged lead South Korea has in the field of human stem cell research.

This comes hot on the heels of the recent cloning scandal over ethics lapses that led to the doctor in charge resigning, and reportedly being hospitalized for extreme stress and fatigue.

For some interesting background on how South Korea rose to such prominence in the cloning and stem cell field, I recommend giving the Slate magazine podcast "The Supercloners of South Korea" a listen. The conversation includes some interesting tidbits about how the explosive growth of Korean Christianity squares with the seemingly amoral approach to this field of research, and the role that metal chopsticks has played in Korea's success.

Listen to the "The Supercloners of South Korea".

Knitting craze strikes Yang Hwa

My students have become preoccupied with knitting. An assignment from home economics class, every student has to complete a scarf—an appropriate project considering the chilly weather!