USFK’s Good Neighbor Program has been featured in the Korea Herald:
American troops do not have a reputation of being friendly. Their image is one of being decked out in intimidating full uniform or dark shades and fluorescent vests, as they run long miles around their bases in Yongsan and Pyeongtaek.
After all, the soldiers are not here to make friends. Their mission is to help preserve peace and stability in South Korea and Northeast Asia. But befriending Koreans comes with the work, and U.S. Forces Korea is determined to accomplish that task as successfully as any other, with the support of its 29-year-old Good Neighbor Program. (…)
Noting that much of the animosity between Koreans and U.S. troops stems from a lack of cultural understanding, the program is heavily devoted to education.
The most visible is the Good Neighbor English Camp through which Korean students and teachers take part in a five-day camp that whisks the participants from the truce village of Panmunjeom to the American schools on U.S. bases.
Equally important, Tharp said, is the young leaders’ program and the military to military meetings between the U.S. and Korean soldiers jointly stationed in the Joint Security Area.
“(I think) as the troop numbers go down, the opportunities for anti-Americanism also will go down,” Tharp said. [Korea Herald]
With a decrease in American troops anti-Americanism directed towards USFK will decrease but as we have seen with the US beef issue, even the most ridiculous claims can turn into an anti-American issue. Even with the reductions in US troops anti-Americanism in Korea is still alive and well.
Here is a statement I definitely agree with:
While some Koreans may take issue with the U.S. troops’ behavior, Korea also is not exactly a popular destination for U.S. soldiers either.
“It’s really not about Koreans. It’s the type of the tour here,” Tharp said.
The U.S. Department of Defense advises soldiers not to bring their families to Korea, citing security problems. Most soldiers therefore stay for one year, alone. But allowing families to stay with the troops would also come with problems, as it would spark debate over who should foot the bill for related expenses.
First of all as long as US troops remain on the peninsula there will be people in Korea that will complain about the behavior of US troops no matter how well behaved they are. US troops currently commit much less crime then the general Korean population and have in fact had more serious crime directed at them by Koreans then vice versa. Despite this the image of GI criminals persists with the Korean public. A reduction in troops as well as even further reduction in the crime rate will not change this because just one incident is enough to keep the stereotype alive.
Finally Korea does have a very poor image in the US military. Making Korea a normal tour of duty for US servicemembers such as being stationed in Japan or Germany would go a long ways to improving the image of the country with US servicemembers. However, as General Bell has already stated don’t expect this to happen anytime soon.
Popularity: 2%
9:26 am on May 28th, 2008 1
“It’s really not about Koreans. It’s the type of the tour here,” Tharp said.
I disagree, beg to differ, call BS, whatever. Certainly the type of tour here is not popular but Koreans have created their country and in turn have created their image. Unfortunately all it takes is one incident to perpetuate the stereotype.
As far as the “Good Neighbor” program itself, I am all for it. Besides facilitating black marketing, fine people like the Golden Gate owner, outside CP Casey, can sell blow jobs while still playing golf on post; rubbing elbows with the upper echelon of USFK.
That, my friends, is a Good Neighbor indeed.
10:16 am on May 28th, 2008 2
The Good Neighbor Program appears to be what was originally suspected…
…a way to cut out the Korean base pass brokers and insure that members of “leadership” with the closest relationships to the “associations” get the benefits.
…as evidenced by nothing changing despite the new and “improved” system.
11:24 am on May 28th, 2008 3
I also take issue with the “type of tour” being the reason that Korea has developed a certain reputation amongst soldiers when it comes to assignment preferences. For instance, if one year assignments to Germany or Great Britain were available, I find it hard to imagine soldiers feeling the same way as they do with an assignment to Korea.
Though the hardship tour plays into it, “animosity between Koreans and U.S. troops stems from a lack of cultural understanding,” is probably the biggest factor. This is something that will probably never change, as well. There are too many cultural values held by both Americans and Koreans that are too at odds with each other.
“(I think) as the troop numbers go down, the opportunities for anti-Americanism also will go down,” Tharp said.
Well, duh! Why not just call it what it is… racism.
When young East German men started riots in Rostock, burning down immigrant residences and attacking those immigrants, it’s difficult to imagine the same scenario taking place minus said immigrants. When Kristallnacht occurred in Germany, it sort of required the presence of Jews. Jim Crow laws sort of required the presence of African Americans. I really don’t know why so many people try and tip toe around this subject with regards to Korea. Obviously, issues between Americans and other foreigners with Koreans haven’t escalated to such horrible levels, but it doesn’t change the fact that the root causes are the same.
11:39 am on May 28th, 2008 4
“There are too many cultural values held by both Americans and Koreans that are too at odds with each other.” - Cienfuegos
Yes, Americans really dislike being ripped off and lied to due to “special circumstances”. Never could get past that.
12:06 pm on May 28th, 2008 5
The type of tour in Korea plays right into the conditions one finds in Korea. By having soldiers sent to Korea without their families on one year tours is what is directly responsible for the creation of the ville culture where so much of the scum of Korea congregates.
The memories most servicemembers have of Korea is substandard conditions on post (though improving in recent years) and spending most of their off duty in a scummy ville filled with booze, juicy girls, and con-men wanting to rip you off of every dollar in your wallet. Throw in having to deal with Hanchongnyun idiots and a sensational media, and general apathy of many servicemembers stationed in Korea and this is all enough to leave a negative impression of Korea with many servicemembers.
When these soldiers return to the US these negative stereotypes of Korea are then passed on to other servicemembers they speak too and the cycle continues.
If done right I think the USFK relocation plan is a great opportunity to break this cycle.
5:35 pm on May 28th, 2008 6
“It’s really not about Koreans. It’s the type of the tour here,” Tharp said.
How full of BS. He is the kind of guy that blames the jogger for stepping in dog Shint, while kowtowing to the dogeater, I mean dog owner.
The good neighbor program is a total failure. Trying to help Koreans in this way, will only earn their hatred. Just look at the way Kyopos like “tom” and “apple pie” act towards the USA.
5:59 pm on May 28th, 2008 7
“When these soldiers return to the US these negative stereotypes of Korea are then passed on to other service members they speak too and the cycle continues.”
While I agree that American Service members have a negative stereotype of Korea ( AKA dislike Koreans, and their culture), I would like to point out that English teachers from Canada, UK, Ireland, Aust & NZ also have negative feelings towards Korea. They don’t hang out in the Ville, and in fact live all over Korea. Some of these people are ethnic Asian, or women, but their stories are all the same. Many of them really hate Korea or much of her culture.
Also, in places outside of Korea, but where Koreans often go, such as Philippines, the locals really hate Koreans. This I know for a fact.
Based on this, I don’t think its a “negative stereotype” but its reality and those service members are logical and reasonable people who have a realistic view of Korea and Korean culture.
GI Korea, as you know not everywhere in the world is the same. And reasonable and fair minded people do not like all things equally. This doesn’t mean that some things are innately inferior. Fair minded people can dislike things and that should be OK. Something that is true for the individual, can also hold true for the “groups” that the individual is part of. In this way a group of people come to the same conclusion. Sometimes its because they are fed propaganda, like the Koreans and “mad cow” but in this case I doubt that the English teachers that dislike Korean culture and the GI’s are being fed the same information. Its more likely that they individually don’t like Korean culture for their own individual internal reasons.
GI Korea, I mean no offense, but I think you have been feed too much crap from people like Tharp and how Korean culture is just misunderstood.
1:12 pm on May 29th, 2008 8
I lived in Korea for several years and it wasnt for the culture and the great treatment from the Koreans; it was just the job and the pay. They are constantly trying to make a buck off the GI and civilians by over charging for rent, products sold in the ville, drinks in the bars, etc, etc, etc. I agree with the comment about the Filipinos disliking the Koreans in there country, its because they are very rude people they think that they are in a upper class or a better people than the Filipinos. They go there and build facilities like hotels, resorts, on Mt Pinatubo and post a sign visible as you approch the facilities “FOR KOREANS ONLY”…. Discriminating SOBs thats a fact. I say the filipinos should kick them out all together in one big sweep. And the US should pull its forces out of DAK land all in one big sweep and let them fat headed boastful idiots defend that little worthless peice of land they think is so precious.
Time to face the facts. Koreans are just as disrespectful as a bunch of gang bangers in the states, I personaly cannot stand them and try to avoid them when ever I see them you know like you see a sick dog on the street you cross the street and go around just to get away from it.
Time to puke, thats my 2 cents worth.
1:39 pm on May 29th, 2008 9
“Time to face the facts. Koreans are just as disrespectful as a bunch of gang bangers in the states, I personaly cannot stand them and try to avoid them when ever I see them you know like you see a sick dog on the street you cross the street and go around just to get away from it.”
Thanks for your honesty Mike. You seem like a reasonable person, and I am sure nobody told you what to think. I know many people like you, who after living in Korea, will cross the street just to avoid hearing their loud shouting and not to be near them. I honestly can’t blame them. Living in Korea has left a bad taste in many peoples mouthes, after they discoverd what Korean culture was like.
The best thing for you to do, is to remain vigilant and do your best to educate people about Korea. I also will walk before getting in a crappy Korean car. Boycotting Korean products is effective too. Make sure your friends and family boycott anything Korean too.
Educate people about the true Korea and boycott Korean products. We can fix Korea if we try.
1:43 pm on May 29th, 2008 10
“I agree with the comment about the Filipinos disliking the Koreans in there country, its because they are very rude people they think that they are in a upper class or a better people than the Filipinos.”
Yes, they copied the Chinese in many ways, but could not copy their class. And the Japanese taught the Koreans many things, but could not teach them good manners.
The Philipinos are understanding Koreans and I think they deal with the really bad ones in a justafied way.
hxxp://rokdrop.com/2007/12/31/two-korean-national-killed-in-the-philippines/