PC ness has hit korea. Oh well, they’ve had enough freedom. Back to commie slavery with them! It seems freedom only lasts as long as the people who fought for it are still alive to remember NOT having it.
Thats what I used to think also, but the truth is not quite so simple. There also has to be a cultural longing for freedom. Many people grow up in cultures where freedom simply isn’t an option. For these people, personal freedom isn’t a concept they are familiar with.
Muslim women for instance, if shielded from western culture, never consider themselves as anything other than their father or husband’s absolute property. Some Muslim women continue to think of themselves in such a way even after exposure to western culture.
Cultural differences must not be discounted when considering freedoms around the world. Generally speaking, a country is as free as it’s prevailing culture will allow, and no more.
Many cultures also, are ruined by years of communism and repression. It often takes more than one or two generations to recover. If in the mean time a despot gains control, he can set the country back even further. This is what is happening in Russia now.
I don’t think it’s that bad, yet. :)
The folks at Korean embassy in china probably just got tired of all the whining from the local “More Communist Than YOU” crowd and asked him to take it down to to save some hassle, and the guy did so since he’s a decent sort who didn’t want to cause trouble for someone else.