Tuesday March 11
 
18:07
 
The First Korean In Space Will…

…disappear into the toilet for a quick cigarette.

I don’t tend to read newspapers, so I don’t often pick up on what’s topical. Approving Seoul Buffoon for The Korean Blog List, however, I came across this:

Expert comments on Korea’s space lady

It so happens that a 29-year-old female mechanical engineer has replaced Seoul’s original choice as the first South Korean in space…and the reactions on the Internet blogs are amazing!

From The Korea Times:

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology told a news conference that Russia’s Federal Space Agency asked for Ko San’s replacement, as the 31-year-old repeatedly broke training protocol by taking sensitive training material outside of the Russian space center. Back-up candidate Yi So-yeon will take over.

“The main reason for the cut is Ko made two consecutive security violations,” said Lee Sang-mok, the head of the ministry’s space technology bureau, adding that both events appeared unintentional.

He explained that the Russians regard abiding by the rules as critical since even a small and innocent mistake could lead to serious consequences in space.

The authorities have taken a decision for whatever reason… and the experts opinions are out in full flow. It is a free for all on the Korean blogs. Some male chauvinists are upset that it is a woman who will be the first Korean…

My first thought? My deep and insightful comment on Korean society and the implications of this decision?

What are the Russian’s going to say when they find out the Korean is smoking in the toilet of the shuttle in space?

From all the times I’ve been flying, I’ve only ever seen someone trying to smoke in an airplane twice. Both times it was a Korean. No toilet is sacred. No number of no-smoking signs. No number of announcements.

Not even Space may prevent it.