Choi Seung-kuk, the Secretary General of Green Korea, one of South Korea’s largest environmental organizations, has officially bowed out as an Olympic torch bearer. In a press interview this morning, Mr. Choi cited China’s aggression in Tibet as his main reason for refusing to carry the Olympic torch when it arrives in Seoul, the capital city, on April 27.
For China, having one of the leaders of Asia’s environmental movement refuse to carry the Beijing Olympic torch must sting. After all, China is jumping through hoops to carry out the Beijing Olympics as the Green Olympics. They are decreasing pollution by planting trees, recycling wastewater, paying car owners not to drive, and more. In addition, the games themselves will be carbon neutral.
But try as it might to impress the world, China has a tragic tendency to get it all wrong. For example, China’s attempts to “clean up” Beijing for the Olympic tourists has led the country to crack down on gays and kill half a million stray cats. Somebody needs to yell, “China, you’re going the wrong way!”
Mr. Choi explained his refusal of the Olympic torch.
“Green Korea does not only focus on environmental issues,” he said, “but also the ‘Realization of Non-violence and Peace’ as one of 4 principles. We oppose all kinds of violence and discrimination and support the peaceful co-existence of human and nature, man and woman, and among all living creatures.”
Clearly, killing Tibetans and Buddhist monks would go against these principles.
“I respect the spirit of Olympics,” said Mr. Choi, “to pursue world peace through sports games as a world citizen but the decision was unavoidable and it has been determined that the Tibetan crisis counters the spirit of Olympic.”
He added, “It is assured that the honor to be a torchbearer would not be neglected if the spirit for peace is known to world citizens through the decision. Nevertheless, the spirit of ancient Olympics should be respected which pursues peace and equity.”
Further reading:
Tangled Up In Green: Faster, Higher, Stronger, Greener
Refusing the Torch Relay for Tibet’s Peace
Beijing 2008, Green Olympics: Progress v Challenge
Photo credit: tomnono
Thanks, friend.
I’m now in Jeju for a workshop of Korea NGO’s Energy Network with about 40people. We’ve been to several renewable energy power stations including wind power and PV. I’ll hand over rouch sketches of the workshop later on; I’ll be back to Seoul on Monday stopping by a local town in the west coast which is planning to set up local energy system.
Ok, I should be back to the workshop now.
Let’s talk later.
I have been recommending a book called “My Stroke of Insight – a Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey” by Jill Bolte Taylor and also a TEDTalk Dr. Taylor gave on the TED dot com site. And you don’t have to take my word for it – Dr. Taylor was named Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, the New York Times wrote about her and her book is a NYTimes Bestseller), and Oprah did not 4 interviews with her.
Good for Mr. Choi! That’s ballsy.