Viimastel nädalatel on mind -- ja mitte ainult mind -- pommitatud kirjadega Lõuna-Koreast. Kuna täna tuli kaks kirja juba ka Tartu linna volikogu aadressile, otsustasin, et nüüd piisab, ja avalikustan alljärgnevaga oma seisukoha, mis on vormistatud kirjana kampaania eestvedajale Hwang Uiwonile.
Dear Hwang Uiwon,
During the last weeks I have received a number of letters to different addresses from you and other persons sharing your views. These e-mails were sent to my inbox, to my colleagues, relatives, as well as Tartu City Council, my university and even Estonian newspapers. Your letter has been published as a comment also in my home page, and if I understood you correctly, it was not even posted by you. These letters urge me to get involved in the academic process of South Korea. However, your last e-mails reveal that there is also a political background to this matter. At the same time I would like to let you know that I have received an e-mail from Prof. Jungkwon Chin as well, where he explained the situation from his standpoint. I, in turn, contacted Prof. Soo-Hwan Kim, whom I consider the best specialist in Korea in the given field.
After giving this matter careful consideration, I have reached the following decisions:
1. Although the thesis contains some substantial problems and has flaws in referring, I do not see any reason to get involved in the South Korean academic process and I prefer to leave this question to decide to the university of Prof. Chin.
2. I see even less reasons to intervene South Korean political debate and to confuse the academic argumentation with the political one.
I would like to add here another matter that saddens me. The semiotic heritage of my father, Yuri Lotman has not just aesthetical, but also important ethical implications. It requires constant mutual respect and understanding between different people and cultures. The debate that has arisen lately in South Korea over his name, is in strong contradiction with his teaching.
With best regards,
Mihhail Lotman
UPD 09/11/2013. Above is my final statement. I would appreciate CSI (or other "persons of interest") not sending me any more e-mails or comments.
Dear Hwang Uiwon,
During the last weeks I have received a number of letters to different addresses from you and other persons sharing your views. These e-mails were sent to my inbox, to my colleagues, relatives, as well as Tartu City Council, my university and even Estonian newspapers. Your letter has been published as a comment also in my home page, and if I understood you correctly, it was not even posted by you. These letters urge me to get involved in the academic process of South Korea. However, your last e-mails reveal that there is also a political background to this matter. At the same time I would like to let you know that I have received an e-mail from Prof. Jungkwon Chin as well, where he explained the situation from his standpoint. I, in turn, contacted Prof. Soo-Hwan Kim, whom I consider the best specialist in Korea in the given field.
After giving this matter careful consideration, I have reached the following decisions:
1. Although the thesis contains some substantial problems and has flaws in referring, I do not see any reason to get involved in the South Korean academic process and I prefer to leave this question to decide to the university of Prof. Chin.
2. I see even less reasons to intervene South Korean political debate and to confuse the academic argumentation with the political one.
I would like to add here another matter that saddens me. The semiotic heritage of my father, Yuri Lotman has not just aesthetical, but also important ethical implications. It requires constant mutual respect and understanding between different people and cultures. The debate that has arisen lately in South Korea over his name, is in strong contradiction with his teaching.
With best regards,
Mihhail Lotman
UPD 09/11/2013. Above is my final statement. I would appreciate CSI (or other "persons of interest") not sending me any more e-mails or comments.
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