I’m putting together an Objectivist group here in Korea. It will be a discussion group, and I’m proposing weekly Saturday meetings in Seoul with:

1. One or more people leading a discussion on some aspect of Objectivism, using Objectivist material (text, video, etc.) as background;

2. Discussions concerning international and Korean current events, culture, and politics from an Objectivist perspective;

3. Simply deriving a rational enjoyment from meeting other Objectivists here in Korea. For this purpose we can also host the occasional social event!

Above all, I envision the club’s purpose as effecting cultural change according to the advocacy of Objectivist ideas here in Korea. 

The club will be committed to understanding and applying the principles of Objectivism, the philosophy founded by Ayn Rand. The club will support but not be affiliated with the Ayn Rand Institute.

The depth of understanding of Objectivism will obviously differ among members, but a commitment to the understanding and application of the principles of Objectivism will be prerequisite to continued membership. Furthermore, the principles of Objectivism as defined by the Ayn Rand Institute will serve as background for all discussions at club meetings.

The club will seek individuals already in agreement with Objectivism who wish to study it further. In other words, it will not serve as a forum for people entirely unfamiliar with, or opposed to Objectivist principles. Members will be encouraged to promote Objectivism to non-Objectivists, but the meetings themselves will be restricted to members as such.

There will be no fees to join this group. Members will share the cost of the meeting venue and any social events.

There is much work to be done, the club still being in a formative stage, including:

- Choice of an appropriate venue. I currently have my eye on a cafe in Gangnam with private rooms. The rooms are equipped with wall-mounted LCD screens to which a notebook computer can be connected – great for multimedia presentations or showing a video. The room can only accommodate a small group, however.

- Creation of a website for the club. The site should let people know what we’re about, as well as provide a medium to publish articles written by members. I’m currently working on this, but could always use help with both design and content.

- Creating an internet presence so that people in Korea with an interest in Objectivism can find us.

- Getting word out into the Korean community. I know there are small pockets of Ayn Rand fans out there…but letting them know we’re here will be a challenge so long as we’re not showing up on Daum or Naver. My Korean simply isn’t up for this task – anyone?

If you live in Korea and would be interested in being part of such a club, please contact me. Include a paragraph or two about yourself, your familiarity with Objectivism, and what (if any) time or resources you’d be willing to commit.