People : "The Korean Invasion Part II"

Last week I posted an article about the migration of Koreans to the Philippines, my admiration of the Korean people and the possibility of the Philippines having a Korean First Lady in the person of Ms. Grace Lee whom our President P-noy is courting. I also mentioned my wish that some Koreans learn more from the Japanese on humility. It was a subtle remark on something which I think some Koreans can improve on, on the almost perfect Korean image as an Asian model country. In the 70's up to the 90's Japan had been our Asian model country, now it is Korea. We look up to both countries not only in terms of economic progress and development but also in terms of  their character and values as a nation.

I guess I was a little bit out of touch on what's going on lately, primarily because I had been avoiding  reading the news due to an overdose on the semi-comedy show called CJ impeachment trial.
Yesterday I accidentally read on-line an article of respected Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo entitled "The Ugly American" which was old news already. This was about a Korean-American diplomat who almost ran over and verbally abused a young Filipina here in her own country. I hope it's not true but if the incident really happened, then this diplomat is despicable and should be treated as "persona non grata" :


persona non grata  (pɜːˈsəʊnə nɒn ˈɡrɑːtə)

— n  , pl personae non gratae
1. an unacceptable or unwelcome person
2. a diplomatic or consular officer who is not acceptable to the government or sovereign to whom he        or she is accredited

The  diplomat may be an American national but his Korean ethnicity and that of other Koreans will definitely be besmirched by his misdeed  and arrogance. Unfortunately, whether this incident is true or not,  it didn't help change the general impression that, to put it bluntly, many Koreans are boorish in their behavior and manners. Maybe some of them forgot to put their good manners and discipline in their luggage when they left Korea to migrate to other countries. But I still believe that the majority of Koreans are gentle and well mannered people.


Related News Link :
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/125295/the-ugly-american

http://theprojectreview.blogspot.com/2012/01/people-korean-invasion.html


Source Dictionary : Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
News Source : Philippine Inquirer