[KS] party pooper

[Anders Karlsson]

REPLY sends your message to the whole list
__________________________________________

If allowed (after all I am from Sweden), I would like to take a slighty
different perspective on the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course it is a great
honour for Kim Dae Jung and if I were in the position I would like to
congratulate him. I also understand that this brings joy to his
followers and those who have worked with him. But I have difficulties in
understanding the fireworks and national celebrations. Isn't the
background of this prize really Korea's quite sad modern history
(authoritative regimes and division)? The Peace Prize is given to people
who work in troubled areas of the word. So in that sense giving it to
Kim Dae Jung confirms that Korea is still a troubled spot in the world
(the prize this time not only being a reward for past accomplishments
but also carrying with it a wish for a future positive effects). I know
that South Koreans have been very keen on a Nobel prize, but I have
difficulties in seeing how this is a national honour. Where is the
honour in it for areas such as the Middle East and Northern Ireland?
Furthermore, for me, unfortunately, national celebrations for the
president (and the construction of a Nobel Peace Park in his hometown)
brings to mind earlier periods in Korean post-liberation history.

Happy, but ...
Anders Karlsson
SOAS