Freedom isn’t free as they say.  But here in Korea it’s loud as hell.  Yes, once again it is election season and trucks like the one above are ubiquitous throughout this fair land.  Apparently, the only thing better than a strong campaign speech is one amplified at ear splitting volume.

The other morning some woman was yelling the virtues of her candidate into a microphone downstairs from my apartment.  It seems the configuration of these buildings in this complex creates the affect of an amphitheater.    Which is to say the sound reverberated through the walls.  From 0730 until 0800.  I know, because even with my head under the pillow I could not escape her piercing screech.  All I could do was watch the clock and pray for salvation.

Of course, I don’t have voting privileges here, but I can’t imagine being awakened from slumber would make anyone more likely to vote for the offending candidate.  Then again, I suppose all the worthy hard working Koreans are already up and about their business by 7:30.  And who gives a damn about some lazy miguk who wants to sleep in?

A far less offensive campaign technique are the folks who stand about smiling and proudly displaying the number of their preferred candidate.

See, as I understand it each candidate is assigned a number and come election day, you vote the number, not the name.  Which makes sense seeing as how in any given election you are likely to have multiple Kim’s, Lee’s, and Choe’s seeking office.

So, the political parties run from the conservatives (who currently control the National Assembly) to the extreme far left who are basically in league with the Commie counterparts up North.  From what I can tell, the conservatives would be slightly left-leaning moderates by U.S. standards.

I really don’t follow politics that closely here though.  I mean, Korea is my escape from the madness of the political shipwreck that is the U.S.A.  But as best I can fathom, the liberal parties want to unseat the conservatives so they can void the recently signed Free Trade Agreement, kick the U.S. troops out of Korea, and basically capitulate to North Korea.  Or something like that.

So as you can see election time is pretty serious business here.  Election day is a national holiday, which I think is an excellent idea that we’d do well to replicate in the states.

But I will be glad when it’s all over and I can once again be awakened by the loudspeakers of the fruit and vegetable vendors.