VT and Cultural Sensitivity

Yesterday was a long day (5am-12am),
the tragic events at Virginia Tech required I watch reactions unfold here and in Korea.

I see little impact on US-Korean day-to-day business. My concern is for Korean teams and their families. {Especially, their kids in schools here). More so today, since it dominated Korean press and media last night (Wed. K-Time).

I continue to advice great sensitivity and understanding. This commentary gives some insights...

Koreans are a very sensitive people. Much of this stems from their sense of self, which is a group identity as Koreans. They feel what reflects poorly on one Korean, reflects poorly on all Koreans.

This mindset is very different than nations like the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, which are highly individualistic--one person's actions not connected to others.

My goal as a Korean culture consultant is to point out where cultures differ and learn from the differences.
With regard to Virginia Tech, seeing Cho Seung Hui's personal actions not representing Koreans is a western view. Koreans see Cho's actions linked to Korea and its people. Since he was a student, Korean students in the US are especially sensitive.

At first I felt some over-reaction in Korea, but on
reflection recognized the group/ collective mindset.
Perhaps, through this unfortunate incident we can
learn more about each other and our cultures. There is
no right or wrong culture--just different cultures.

BTW
I've read many Korean articles on the incident. (I've also talked with Korean here and in Korea.) Many of the articles tell of Koreans in America voicing strong concerns. This article highlights concerns in Korea.

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans fell into
shock after learning that the suspect in the shootings
at a U.S. university was a South Korean native and
hoped that the tragedy would not stir up racial
prejudice against Koreans.

"The news that the gunman was a South Korean student
took my breath away. I express my deep condolence to
those killed," said Hwang Jae-eun, a 31-year-old
postgraduate student in Seoul. "I don't know why he
committed such a crime but I'm worried this tragedy
will bring a curse to all Koreans."

On Tuesday, Virginia police identified the gunman who
allegedly killed 33 people and wounded dozens in a
rampage at Virginia Tech as Cho Seung-hui, a
23-year-old South Korean student majoring in English
literature there. He later killed himself, and the
motive is not yet known.

Kim Tae-ju, who identified himself as a salaried
worker, said, "The incident itself was a shock to me
because so many people were killed, and now I still
can't believe that the suspect is a South Korean
student."
"Honestly speaking, I had hoped the rumor that the
gunman might be a Korean would be wrong," he added.

Many expressed hope that the tragedy would not stir up
racial prejudice or retaliatory acts against South
Koreans.

Kim Yeong-ok, 32, said she is afraid the incident
might cause retaliation on Korean students and their
parents in the United States.

"I hope the government will make extra cautions to
calm down the Korean-American community in confusion
and shock and prevent possible damage to other
Koreans," she said.

The Seoul government was also put on high alert and
thrown into much shock.

Still, it is making efforts to ensure the incident
does not lead to an ethnic confrontation.

President Roh Moo-hyun presided over an emergency
meeting of his aides and the foreign minister at his
office to discuss the fallout from the tragedy.

The president already issued two messages of
condolence over the massacre on Tuesday but is
considering issuing an additional message of apology
for the victims, according to his aides.

Foreign Minister Song Min-soon sent a personal letter
of condolence to his U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice
for the victims, calling it a tragedy that should have
never taken place, a ministry spokesman said.

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