As the New Year dawns, people are concerned about what will happen on the Korean Peninsula in 2012. Rumors say that Mount Baekdu in North Korea may erupt soon, possibly in 2012. They say the clock is ticking and the eruption will bring about disaster affecting the whole peninsula. With Kim Jong-il’s abrupt death due to a heart attack this past December, North Korea’s situation, too, seems quite uncertain and nebulous in the New Year. In South Korea, parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for 2012, and the results will radically shift the future of Korea. 

In the United States, too, the presidential election is scheduled for December, the outcome of which will seriously affect Korea-U.S. relations. Moreover, according to the Mayan calendar, we will witness the end of the world ― in fact, the annihilation of human civilization ― in December. Uncertain and some as far-fetched as they are, these various events and predictions will surely stir the Korean Peninsula in 2012, undoubtedly a fateful year for the Korean people in many respects.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the year 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. In classical Western literature, the dragon is always regarded as a threatening evil creature that a young man must slay in order to become an adult, a knight or a hero. Thus the dragon is depicted as a hideous beast one must battle to prove one’s courage and maturity. In Asian culture, however, the dragon has always been a revered symbol of royalty, superiority and prosperity. In Asia, therefore, you cannot possibly slay a dragon; it is an auspicious being, so any attempt to attack it is blasphemy. If you harm a dragon by chance, you will run out of luck and are doomed.

Some time ago, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan were called the Asian Tigers, because the four countries achieved remarkable economic development in relatively short amounts of time and successfully joined the ranks of advanced countries. In the case of South Korea, for example, the nation’s GDP amazingly increased by 40,000 percent since the early 1960s.

Interestingly, the U.S. journal, Foreign Affairs, has called the same four countries the Four Little Dragons of Asia. Thus South Korea is not only a “crouching tiger,” but also a “hidden dragon.” Due to unwise economic policies pursued during the recent leftist administrations, however, the tiger has been unable to leap, and the dragon barred from spreading its wings to ascend into the sky.

Nevertheless, there are some striking similarities between Koreans and dragons. According to the Chinese zodiac, dragons have “tempers that can flare fast.” Likewise, Koreans often exhibit emotional outbursts and fiery temperament. Like dragons, Koreans are known to be passionate, short-tempered and grandiose. And often Koreans are flamboyant, enjoy showing off and are susceptible to unbridled anger and copious tears. The zodiac also says such about dragons: “Because they react quickly and recklessly, they sometimes make wrong decisions.” This characteristic seems to perfectly match Koreans’ personalities. Indeed, how often have we reacted hastily and recklessly, resulting in wrong decisions! Koreans also have a reputation for being too impulsive and impetuous, and thus need to slow down and keep their emotions in check. The Chinese zodiac reveals that those who were born in the Year of the Dragon also tend to be conceited and susceptible to spending money on vanities. Likewise, Korean women generally like to spend money on famous name brands, and Korean men are known to spend lots of money drinking, smoking and tipping.

Aside from the above similarities, there are several differences between Koreans and dragons, and it is precisely these traits that the Korean people should learn from dragons. First, solitary by nature, dragons prefer to be alone and independent. On the other hand, Koreans hate to be alone or alienated from others. Instead, Koreans like to be interdependent, belong to a community, and do things together in a group. Koreans frequently, say, “What are friends for, if not to depend on each other?” Although depending on each other is often necessary, especially in the international community, we must also learn to be independent. Second, dragons are well known to be magnanimous and act on a grand scale. In order to resemble dragons, Koreans should also be generous, open-minded and have the capacity to embrace others.

In the Year of the Dragon, Koreans should be more mature and act generously. Let us no longer squabble with our allies such as Japan and the United States in the New Year! As the country’s economy and prosperity largely depends on exports, we cannot afford to be on bad terms with other countries.

In 2012 let there be no more conflicts and hatred between the left and the right in South Korea! Let us learn to stand united, as a mature country. As Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

In the Year of the Dragon, we hope Korea, like a dragon, will emerge from her hiding place, spread her wings and soar into the sky.

By Kim Seong-kon

Kim Seong-kon, a professor of English at Seoul National University, is editor of the literary quarterly “21st Century Literature.” ― Ed.