Sounds like they have a valid gripe...from the 1980's. Did we really warmly welcome Chun Doo-hwan in DC? I never even heard of him. If true, Bush should apologize on behalf of the US for that (but that'll never happen). Regardless, sounds like us staying there will only exacerbate anti-American feelings. We are there for their benefit, and should simply leave if we're not wanted, with the understanding that we will NOT be returning if War breaks out. Also, what's with Reports from Washington suggest that lawmakers are being urged by voters to boycott Korean products.. I haven't heard of any Korean product boycotts. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lpage/200301/kt2003010817132110440.htm Media Reps Focus on Anti-US Feelings By Na Jeong-ju Staff Reporter Anti-American sentiment is spreading to all sectors of society due to several deep-rooted problems, media leaders said yesterday during a seminar in the Seoul Hilton Hotel organized by the Asia Foundation. ``Anti-American sentiment is rather abstract¡¦resulting in an affective, emotional and passive dislike of America and things American,¡¯¡¯ said Auh Taik-sup, a mass communications professor at Korea University. Auh said most Koreans are fed up with the big-power arrogance associated with U.S. military commanders in South Korea and senior officials in Washington. This leads to racial discrimination, a rejection of American ideals, and so on, he said. Such comments were echoed by other speakers, which included editors, foreign correspondents and senior reporters. Lee Sang-seok, managing editor of The Korea Times, said ties between South Korea and the United States remain strong, but the local media sometimes fails to see the big picture, thus misinforming the public. The Korean media is free, but often irresponsible, Lee said. ``Journalists here need to do a better job to cool anti-American sentiment,¡¯¡¯ he said. Korean journalists need to run more accurate in-depth reports so that South Koreans will learn to appreciate the presence of American forces here as an ally, not as a foe. Lee said South Koreans seem obsessed with looking at the United States ``as a superpower that is selfish and indifferent to public opinion in small countries, such as South Korea.¡¯¡¯ Auh, from Korea University, also told the seminar that a Dec. 15 2002 survey showed that 44.8 percent of the respondents wanted a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea, while only 6.3 percent wanted the troops to leave at once. He said 27 percent were in favor of the continued presence, while 21 percent wanted the American troops to remain for a limited period. Anti-American sentiment is strong, most speakers at the seminar said, and it has spread nationwide in recent months with more candlelight vigils and other protests. Some Americans are now complaining of being harassed, abused and spat on in the streets. Canadians, British, New Zealanders and Australians are also sometimes mistaken for Americans and not allowed into restaurants or glared at and refused service in some stores. Most GIs here consider South Korea a hardship post because of very intensive training and poor housing. Even after a half-century here, many GIs don¡¯t feel comfortable in Korea and are complaining to their senators about anti-Americanism. Reports from Washington suggest that lawmakers are being urged by voters to boycott Korean products. Kwon Tae-sun, the Social Desk Director of Hankyoreh Shinmun, said that anti-American sentiment started after ex-president Chun Doo-hwan came to power in 1979 in a coup before killing many protesters in Kwangju in 1980. Chun was warmly welcomed when he visited Washington and most Koreans have not forgiven the United States for allegedly supporting the dictator. Kwon said that because anti-American sentiment is intense, politicians here should make efforts to establish ``a more equal relationship with the United States.¡¯¡¯ She said nationwide protests now are a reflection of deep-seated anger from the 1980s. Park Doo-shik, editorial writer of the Chosun Ilbo, a conservative daily, said protestors should examine the big picture and consider the national interest. He said South Korea needs U.S. forces here to protect the country and keep it stable so that business activities will continue to flourish. Several in the audience agreed with Park, saying that American and South Korean leaders should be more active in promoting closer ties. Some even suggested that if American troops are withdrawn from this country, it would result in an exodus of foreign and local investors and create financial chaos on the Korean peninsula.
"Kwon said that because anti-American sentiment is intense, politicians here should make efforts to establish ``a more equal relationship with the United States.¡¯¡¯ She said nationwide protests now are a reflection of deep-seated anger from the 1980s." Ok, well I hate to tell the S Koreans this, but you're not equal. You can't even provide for basic security of your own borders from your more than hostile counterparts to the North. However, I certainly agree with Cohen that we should withdrawl if that is the will of the S Korean people. Of course, I have to make the caveat that I really don't think that is the case. Although it does remind me very much of a story I read (was maybe even posted here on the bbs) that quoted a conversation with a Turkish woman that went something like this: Reporter: How do you feel about the US? TW (Turkish woman): They are too involved in others business. Reporter: Aren't you afraid that Iraq will become more aggressive? TW: No. Reporter: Why not? TW: Because if they are the US will smack them down. So I don't really think we as Americans can help it if people fail to see the circular nature of their anti-Americanism. I can certainly understand it. I am an avowed nationalist, so if we WERE NOT the world's superpower (I even like typing 'Superpower' although I don't usually capitalize it because I don't want to rub it in too much ) I would resent whoever WAS the superpower (if there was one) interfering in our bidness (much as I think the Hong Kong phooey dog eating communist fatfatcow does). Almost no one will admit it, but I think that is the case, and psychologically who wants to be considered an inferior power? Nobody. SO, if they want us out, their chips should be pushed into the pot (a little Jim Fassel for ya), and the Japanese should make it plain that THEY are not going to sit by while N Korea proliferates (because they won't), and the PRC should make it plain that they don't want the Japanese to proliferate (because they don't) and then maybe the REAL implications of a US withdrawl would be there for everyone to evaluate. Sans that we can withdrawl if the S Koreans want and let them nuke each other out of the world markets. I'm sure Mexico et al wouldn't mind making Dihatsu ripoffs and cheap throwaway toys and radios in their stead. of course, it was a gorgeous day in London today as unexpected (and unusual) heavy snowfall came down in big ol fluffy flakes so I blew off work and went and snapped pictures in between stops at different locals (to warm myself up ), so if someone can explain how the hell i can post pics from my desktop, I would be happy to share.
Being a Korean-American, I can assure you that it's only the MINORITY who are opposed to American presence in S. Korea. It's just that you have these vocal 20-30 year olds who feel the need to cry about something. Think of them as the Korean "hippies" ala America during the 1970s.
It's a shame that in countries where we are needed for security purposes, the common people don't seem to understand the repercussions of our troops not being there. I agree, if the S Koreans don't want us to help, we shouldn't. We should be in foreign countries only if requested, and for only as long as the host nation feels they need us..other wise, we are just imposing our will on them..and thats not right. Hayes, good take on it as usual. for the most part, I agree. btw...email me at larsoles@earthlink.net and I'll host ur pics if ya want..
Yeah, it's the same in Germany, or it used to be. The minority of Anti-Americans are just more vocal than the silent majority. I am not so sure about the French, though...there seems to be more animosity towards Americans than anywhere else there...
The really sad and unbelievable thing is this was all touched off over I believe 2 military soldiers involved in a fatal accident. Most South Koreans wanted them to be found guilty of something other than an accident and punished. This touched off this anti-Americanism over there...like our troops being over there to protect their freedom doesn't count for anything. Of course, we're not sure how many feel this way. I'm sure they would really like it if we left and North Korea invaded to turn the whole peninsula into a Communist one. I understand people are pissed off over the deaths that occurred. However, it seems many would condemn the entire American presence over the mistakes of a few soldiers. If they want us to go, then leave. But, they have to understand what their getting themselves into. How are they going to protect their freedom and feel safe then? Their not.
interesting...this is a sentiment i've heard echoed by other koreans...particularly older koreans who still remember the us involvement in defending them from the north.
Thanks R2k. I don't want to put them all up but thought I would slap a couple up to share the scene. Does anyone know how to put pics up on the bbs? Can I do that from my desktop or do I have to put them on the web first?
Yeah, a lot of people are saying this is going on in Europe too. Everyone else is going through the hippie stage while the US is way past it. Hopefully they make the right policy decisions eventually.
definite,,,they have to be posted to the web and then linked from here to the location you put them..
Yes, that's right--too make the point that it's usually the minorities and poor who end up getting killed. I should have been more explicit.
I just heard on CNN a Senior Fellow from the Hoover Institute, Richard V. Allen, say that, to paraphrase, 'the S. Koreans had better decide where they stand', and also mentioned that maybe, in the near future, the US might broach the subject of Japanese nukes w/ Japan. Sounds like our discussion in a nutshell (although he didn't discuss how to post pictures on the web... ).
Who are all these "dems" calling for a draft? Rangel?? (a goofus) Show me a poll that says "dems" want a draft. Come on... is it a slow night on Fox?
It is Rangel. He thinks if the politician's dhildren are in the armed forces, we will be much more hesitatnt to send our poor children. That's fine; let's just draft politician's kids.
