HHS Students Visit South Korean Embassy and Korean War Memorial 

Diane and Riordan thank Embassy Political Secretaries Mr. Hojun Lee and Ms. Ahn Heashin for taking time to discuss recent and historical issues related to South Korea. This discussion took place February 12th, 2018.

Adam Wojciechowicz, Public Affairs Specialist at the Korean Cultural Center discussed cultural and tourism topics.

Zoe and Michelle honored Korean war veterans by placing patriotic wreaths at the memorial

Andrew- Have you been happy with the way the preparations for the Olympics have gone?  ANSWER- We  have been preparing for quite some time and we have bid three times before this. So we were happy when we were awarded the games and we're confident the games will be excellent.

Emma (right) How long have you been in the U.S. and what are some of your favorite places?  ANSWER- We moved here in August. We like Standord University and the city of Boston.

Ana (center)- Would you say President Moon Jae-in has the upper hand in trade negotiations with President Trump because we have a trade deficit with you of 28 billion dollars? ANSWER- We are not qualified to answer that question because we deal with political situations not economic but we hope our trade relations are equally beneficial.

Madison (front, second right)- Since China has a capitalist system, why do you think they support North Korea when they could have more trade with a unified Korea with a government like yours? ANSWER- China still wants to support an independent North Korea even though a unified Korea would be better for trade. China does not want to change how North Korea is. They think it helps to have North Korea as a buffer between communist China and Capitalist South Korea.

Diane- What do you want us to know about the South Korean people and the North Korean people? ANSWER- We do have cultural similarities but as time goes on our languages are becoming different. We also think we will never unify and most South Koreans are fine with that.

Sarah

Adam (left)- Were you happy to see a member of the Kim Jung Un family come to South Korea for the Olympics? ANSWER- The talks went well, there was a positive atmosphere and we are happy that Kim Jo Yong visited. We are hopeful that having a member of the Kim family will help progress peace talks for a unified Korea.

Ava (left)- In the CIA World Factbook it states 57% of South Koreans don't adhere to any religion whereas 90% of Americans believe in God.  Do you see any advantages or disadvantages with the Korean view? ANSWER-  A lot of people actually are religious, and that they practice religious activities that Americans might not consider religious in the US. Some people have Confucian beliefs and many are Christian and Buddhist, so the world factbook might not be very accurate. 

Rachel- Are members of the S. Korean Women's Hockey team mad because North Koreans are being added the team? ANSWER- South Koreans definitely aren’t happy that they’ve been training for so long and then the North Koreans just come in take their spots. However, they knew it had to happen and it was appropriate.

Ammar- Do you think Kim Jung Un would actually use nuclear weapons against fellow Korean peoples? ANSWER- We hope not because we live in South Korea. We don't think he's that stupid.  

Hodan (right) How is your relationship with China? Are people in your country mad that they helped North Korea during the Korean War?  ANSWER- Let bygones be bygones

Marissa and Sarah

Sarah (left)- Besides the United States, which nations would you say are S. Korea's strongest allies? ANSWER- Our main alliance is with the United states and anyone who supports a democracy. We have some relations with Japan but it is mainly with the United states.