It appears the beef protesters got off message a little bit when they were busy protesting US Secretary of State Condi Rice’s visit to Seoul:
“Rice, go home,” they chanted. Placards said, “Stop Rice and Mad Cow,” and “We Don’t Need U.S. Troops. We Don’t Need Mad Cows.” [AP]
It looks like these protesters just said what the rest of the anti-US beef protesters are thinking.
Popularity: 3%
8:31 pm on June 30th, 2008 1
But.. but… but… King Baeksu says these protests aren’t about the anti-US agenda at all! And he’s talked to “hundreds” of the protesters! How can this be?!
8:47 pm on June 30th, 2008 2
Baeksu and others are right - if you narrow down what the definition of anti-US is.
It is like when all the foreign experts and government people would respond to questions about anti-US culture in Korea by saying, “The majority of Koreans don’t want US troops to leave.” That was and is absolutely true - but it doesn’t mean that very same majority doesn’t like to exercise Korean nationalism by playing anti-Americanism.
All this stuff gets blended together, and the protesters can so easily switch from saying the cause is tainted beef to Lee to whatever, because it is a game.
It is a game about feeling strong. People power. Korean nationalism.
It is a habit cemented in the society during the decades of real protest against the authoritarian government (and its US supporter).
11:33 pm on June 30th, 2008 3
usinkorea, bingo!
You hit it right there. These protesters, as in the past, change their tune depending on who they are talking to. This is all just a melting pot of anger with ingredients of anti-2MB, anti-authoritarianism, anti-elitism, rabid nationalism, xenophobia, paying empty lip service to Korean reunification, and very strong doses of anti-Americanism and anti-USFK.
They change their tunes and slogans depending on who they are talking to, what they are trying to accomplish, and if certain parts end up making them look bad. However, it’s all the same mix of anger with all these ingredients.
To say that protests like these do not contain anti-Americanism is terribly naive!
People like king baeksu say this is not about anti-Americanism because ‘he was at the protests and talked to the people’. I am not surprised that protesters told him it was not about anti-Americanism. I am surprised that he actually believed it.
It all goes back to a question posed by someone else:
If the mad cow scare and ‘PD Diary’ lies were started over Canadian or Australian beef, do you think you would see the same numbers in the streets and the same amount of hysterical anger from the public?
If you answer “yes”, then you really don’t know much about Korea & Koreans.
12:26 am on July 1st, 2008 4
Police Raid Offices of Protestest Organizers
“We began searching the offices around 6 a.m. and confiscated computers, placards, masks and other materials used during the anti-American beef rallies,” a police officer said.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/06/117_26762.html
12:26 am on July 1st, 2008 5
Morons.
3:50 am on July 1st, 2008 6
Bruce Cumings blames the millenial surge in anti-Americanism in the ROK on the Bush administration:
http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:UABloBBIr6EJ:www.thenation.com/doc/20080707/cumings+Cumings+%22Where%27s+the+Beef%3F%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1
7:02 am on July 1st, 2008 7
You know I have to support King on this one…. Just because you read on the internet that a protester or two said go home rice or we dont need troops or mad cows does not mean its true. Yes the translation could of been wrong
They could of been saying we need troops to protect our rice and we are not mad
I read somewhere the Obamas uncle freed prisoners from a German prison camp but we all know that was just internet propaganda because Obamas uncle was not in the Army…and in no way would Obama I mean Barry would not lie about something like that just to get votes
7:10 am on July 1st, 2008 8
Too bad quoting Cumings is an immediate loss of credibility on this site — since most of the long time readers and commentors are very familiar with him.
Benicio974’s point about what if this were Canadian beef is irrefutable.
The fact Korean society didn’t go nuts over the Chinese protesters who beat on Koreans during the Olympic torch relay is irrefutable.
And it is also a major argument against the “not anti-US” idea — that I was able to predict a return to typical protest culture a couple of years before Lee was even a household name or a beef deal was on the horizon.
I had said repeatedly on the K-blogs that we’d have to watch carefully if/when the GNP re-took the Blue House — because - in Korean society’s mind — that would greatly ease anxiety about the future of the US-SK military alliance —– and once that fear of USFK pulling out was eased, we’d likely see the return to typical anti-US activity—-
—which is EXACTLY what took place.
7:40 am on July 1st, 2008 9
The Cumings article has plenty of holes in it and I may do fisking of it when I have time.
However when you summarize it all up even Cumings admits these protests having nothing to do with beef and everything to do with the anti-US groups pushing their typical anti-US and pro-North Korean agendas under the disguise of beef protests.
9:44 am on July 1st, 2008 10
I have a rather unique solution to the protests. Why don’t the police just go home? Think about it. The police go home and either the protest is peaceful or the protesters pillage and destroy the blue house. I think that once the international newsies got film of protesters destroying their own capital most of the professional protesters would run for cover. As long as the protesters have opposition they can play the victim. Take away the opposition and they’ll look like any other angry mob.
9:57 am on July 1st, 2008 11
“Food for thought…” Think the Norks are protesting the wheat imports???
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/30/AR2008063000374.html?hpid=moreheadlines
12:19 pm on July 1st, 2008 12
“It is a game about feeling strong. People power. Korean nationalism.”
I was watching CNN this morning and the commentator said the exact same thing. To paraphrase, she said “Korea is a powerful country in a powerful part of the world, and the people think that the government accepted the beef deal too easily.”
1:40 pm on July 1st, 2008 13
“…these protests having nothing to do with beef and everything to do with the anti-US groups pushing their typical anti-US and pro-North Korean agendas under the disguise of beef protests.”
Perhaps I have not been clear. Here is what the protests are about in order of importance:
1. Anti-2MB
2. Anti-mad cow imports
3. Anti-police/police “violence”
4. Korean pride (i.e., anti-Lee’s kowtowing to the US)
Admittedly, 2 and 3 sometimes change positions.
I did speak with a protester on Sat. night who grimaced when I mentioned Rice’s name, but then I think Rice is enough to make me grimace, too. Does that make me anti-American? If people were taking shots at Rice, it’s because of the sadaejuui context, IMO: Now is not the time for the protesters to be lectured by US officials who do not know Korea very well at all and often display a culturally insensitive and arrogant attitude (i.e., “our way or the highway”).
I do agree that anti-sadaejuui is a factor in these protests, but that is slightly different from saying that that is “anti-American.” It’s more about “Korean pride,” as many protesters have mentioned to me.
The only person at the demos who has mentioned the recent demolition of the cooling tower at Yongbyon was an American from Texas. For 99% of people at the demos, North Korea is a non-issue, which is one of my main critiques of this movement, in fact.
Your repeated mention of the “pro-North Korean agenda” in relation to this movement merely highlights your bias and lack of full understanding here.
In any case, North Korea is part of historic Korea, yet you say “pro-North Korea” as if it were some kind of slur. Clearly, reunification must happen at some point, must it not?
2:54 pm on July 1st, 2008 14
I do agree with Baeksu to a point: these protests are, and always have been, about neutralizing LMB and the GNP majority in the National Assembly. That’s why the lefties manufactured the mad cow scare in the first place.
But the subtext is pure anti-Americanism. They had an entire laundry list of issues to choose from:
“LMB let the Chinese run roughshod through our capital city and did nothing!”
“LMB is going to reform our health care system on the model of Sicko!”
“LMB is going to force our kids to live 24-7 in hagwons to keep up with the Kims!”
“LMB is going to destroy the environment of our country with this ridiculous canal!”
But no.
They chose this one:
“LMB is going to let those bastard Americans poison our children with meat they wouldn’t even feed to their dogs!”
Now, Baeksu, perhaps you’d like to reconsider your omission of anti-Americanism from your list.
3:14 pm on July 1st, 2008 15
King Baeksu you are making my case for me. Your number one reason that they are protesting is that they are anti-2MB. They are anti-2MB because he is perceived as being pro-American and anti-North Korean.
This has been asked before but if the beef was Canadian would this craziness be going on? I have also asked this before, what groups in these protests do not support an anti-US and pro-North Korean agenda? The real agendas of these people are so obvious why do you think the Korean public have abandoned them?
By pro-North Korean what I mean is people like Lee Jae-joung, Chung Dong-young, etc. that believe no matter what NK does the free goodies to Kim Jong-il should keep flowing with no accountability on the part of the North Koreans on where the aid is going. Also they believe that in no way should the ROK government do anything to improve NK’s human rights record. They don’t even expect the North Koreans to give back kidnapped ROK citizens.
These people some how believe that writing blank checks to fund Kim Jong-il’s lifestyle of endless supplies of Hennessy and Russian juicy girls will bring about reunification. I sure hope you are not as naive to think so as well.
3:19 pm on July 1st, 2008 16
Ut videam, now we are just on opposite sides of a “the glass is half full or half empty” divide.
You say anti-Americanism, I say anti-sadaejuui.
I agree there were other important issues that could have been exploited by the left, but they didn’t have sufficient traction to capture the public imagination.
As one protester told me (who supported the FTA, by the way), “Korean people take their food very seriously.”
One could also argue that the other issues you mentioned were pissing people off, too, and that the mad-cow scare was merely the straw that broke the camel’s back.
3:25 pm on July 1st, 2008 17
GI, as I have been stating repeatedly, there is a distinction between being anti-American and anti-sadaejuui, hence you remarks about Canadian beef are somewhat irrelevant in this context.
As for North Korea, yes, I am naive enough to think that dialogue and engagement is more productive than doing nothing at all.
3:28 pm on July 1st, 2008 18
Baeksu, if it were really about anti-sadaejuui, then the people would have been out in force when the Chinese Embassy organized riots in Korea’s capital and LMB’s government responded limp-wristedly.
It’s anti-Americanism.
3:39 pm on July 1st, 2008 19
Ut videam, there may be some truth in what you say, but China doesn’t have troops in the South Korean capital, and the relationship between China and Korea has been “big brother/little brother” for centuries and hence is more accepted perhaps.
I would argue that if Korea didn’t have to depend on the US for its security, then ROK Presidents like Lee and Roh would not have to kowtow as much as they do to the US.
Thus, reunification is the only way to overcome this perennial dynamic. It’s time for South Korea to defend itself, and it’s time for US taxpayers to be spending their money in better ways.
The first step towards reunification is for the Yankees to go home.
3:50 pm on July 1st, 2008 20
For once, I agree with you entirely, Baeksu. Bring our troops home. The entangling alliance with Korea has far outlived any usefulness it may have ever had.
4:05 pm on July 1st, 2008 21
“there may be some truth in what you say, but China doesn’t have troops in the South Korean capital”
Yes its anti-Americanism.
“The first step towards reunification is for the Yankees to go home.”
Everyone agrees on that except the Koreans.
4:34 pm on July 1st, 2008 22
Once again King Baeksu you are making my argument for me when you say:
I agree there were other important issues that could have been exploited by the left, but they didn’t have sufficient traction to capture the public imagination.
Why wouldn’t the other issues capture the public’;s imagination? Could it be because they don’t involve the US? They chose the beef issue because of its American connection which goes back to what I have been saying all along about the undercurrent of anti-Americanism in Korea.
Also I never said I was against dialogue and engagement. I am against one way aid that isn’t monitored and where the North Koreans are expected to give nothing in return. I am also against making excuses for the North Koreans atrocious human rights record. I am also against letting people who have been kidnapped by the North Koreans to wallow in the gulags because the ROK government would rather pretend they don’t exist. None of this is going to bring unification and is in fact delaying it which is what most South Koreans want anyway.
Here is what I advocate which will make unification much more likely then the “dialogue and engagement” pipe dream used the past 10 years:
http://freekorea.us/2008/01/22/plan-b-how-to-disarm-kim-jong-il-without-bombing-him/
Also I am a big advocate of troop reductions in Korea as well as the Camp Humphreys relocation in order to reduce the force footprint. A full withdrawal is logistically and politically not possible right now but reductions in troops and the current force footprint is.
What is interesting is that it is the Korean government who has been preventing both troop withdrawals and the reduction of the current force footprint in Korea. The Korean government has also been against paying for their own defense as well as delaying the OPCON transfer which would make them responsible for their own defense.
It doesn’t matter if it there is a liberal or a conservative in the Blue House the Korean government will do everything possible to keep the USFK gravy train going in its current configuration.
4:59 pm on July 1st, 2008 23
“Why wouldn’t the other issues capture the public’s imagination?”
Because a lot of the other issues were too abstract for the average, politically apathetic Korean citizen to identify with personally (the political equivalent of NIMBYism), yet food is something that people can get worked up about very easily as it goes directly into one’s own body.
I just think you are overstating the anti-US angle. There was a dart board game at City Hall last weekend, and people were encouraged to throw darts at various 2MB policies such as health-care provatization or the grand canal. Of the 7 or 8 targets, none had anything to do with the US.
So while the US-ROK relationship is important to the background context of these protests, it is not the primary, driving force, which is largely a matter of internal left-right political dynamics.
Here is my characterization of the conflict in a nutshell:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/19/opinion/edletters.php
I do not disgree that the beef issue has been exploited masterfully by the left, but that is separate from whether the fundamental force driving this movement is anti-Americanism or pro-North ideology. It’s not, and I remain unconvinced by your arguments otherwise.
5:02 pm on July 1st, 2008 24
The problem with King Baeksu’s agrument is that he apparently believes “anti 2MB / anti MDC” and “anti Americanism” are completely separate, mutually exclusive issues that does not intersect whatsoever.
For all intents and purposes, anti 2MB is Anti Americanism. His many enemies typically portray him as an American Lackey who sold out his own people by agreeing to the FTA (another key symbolism for American domination for Koreans) which introduce those disease ridden US beef into the Korean market. He’s even (as I understand it) taken on a Park Chung Hee persona in their eyes, a military police who orders police to crack down on the hapless protesters. All of this, especially the accusation of police brutality, is remarkably one sided.
For those who seriously push for 2MB’s impeachment, the Anti American angle is their only and essential ammunition. I’ve yet to read a single persuasive arguemnt or evidence that expose any kind of impeachable offense from the Korean president, neither from English or Korean sources. “He’s pal with George Bush”, unfortunately, is probably plenty enough.
For the MDC crowd it absolutely matters that the beef import and the trading partner is American. There’s a long precedent of anti american activities and protests fueld by deep rooted negative preconceptions about the United States. In fact, if this FTA controversy involved JAPANESE products under similar circumstances, I’d expect doubled rage from the current movement. King Baeksu would attend a few rallies and never doubt the protesters’ position that “This really has nothing to do with anti Japanese feelings”. He’d have to ignore about 100 years of Korean history, but it’s plausible.
Truth be told, not many Koreans will admit that anti American sentiments are involved in this issue. They’ll spin some other narratives about how it’s really about “democracy”, working on a more equitable FTA or safety issues regarding MDC. The lack of tolerance for dissenting opinions and established science on MDC effectively dismisses such pretensions. The agendas might appear separate, but there’s a common and underlying theme that beats as the heart, even if it’s not readily transparent.
5:13 pm on July 1st, 2008 25
“The problem with King Baeksu’s agrument is that he apparently believes “anti 2MB / anti MDC” and “anti Americanism” are completely separate, mutually exclusive issues that does not intersect whatsoever.”
The problem with Surabol’s argument is its middle-school level binary oppositions. I am talking about shades of grey, and all you understand is black or white.
Reread what I wrote in Comments No. 13 and 23, and kindly refrain from mischaracterizing my positions so blantly.
Thanks!
6:13 pm on July 1st, 2008 26
“I just think you are overstating the anti-US angle.”
I don’t believe that he has.
Your original position (as I understood it) was that there wasn’t any anti us angle. Are you admitting that there was actually some involved, but only exeggerated by GI Korea?
I have a hard time believing that anti Americanism is NOT a driving force behind the movement. It’s not the impression I get from my relatives in Korea, media sources, and blogs by foreigners who currently reside in korea, some of them firmly on the left side of the political spectrum (meaning they’re no friend of Bush). How many organizers of the “dart board” protest felt that the FTA and American beef was perfectly fine, but objected solely on separate issues such as healthcare? It’s more likely that the larger, encompassing anti American agenda will raise offshoot issues to bolster or diversify their case.
Protests can take on different direction thematically and visually, but their core message can remain. 2MB is supposed to be a heartless sellout - who did he apparently sell out to? What superpower has he seemingly formed a crooked alliance with? Those who demonize Lee on privatizing healthcare will argue that such policy is inconsistent with a president who lacked the compassion to stand up to the Americans and protect the people from dangerous US beef.
There’s certainly room for debate on issues such as President Lee’s plans on healthcare or what not. But 2MB’s foes aren’t calling for his head because they’re primarily concerned with his domestic policies such as medicine or infrastructure. The fundamental rallying cry of their cause isn’t difficult to identify.
6:15 pm on July 1st, 2008 27
“Those who demonize Lee on privatizing healthcare will argue that such policy is inconsistent with a president who lacked the compassion to stand up to the Americans and protect the people from dangerous US beef.”
I meant to say “consistent”
6:19 pm on July 1st, 2008 28
King Baeksu I appreciate the debate and it has been informative but we will have to agree to disagree because I will never believe Hanchongnyun, KTEWU, KCTU, PSPD, etc. are all out there violently beating down 20 year old mandatory service draftees and destroying property because of a legitimate concern for food safety.
I continue to maintain these protests are all about politically neutering 2MB in order to continue the anti-US, pro-Pyongyang, leftist agenda in Korea that was stopped due to the election of 2MB. The Korean leftist groups are doing through misinformation, smears, violence, and intimidation what they couldn’t do at the ballot box.
6:56 pm on July 1st, 2008 29
“I continue to maintain these protests are all about politically neutering 2MB in order to continue the anti-US, pro-Pyongyang, leftist agenda in Korea that was stopped due to the election of 2MB. The Korean leftist groups are doing through misinformation, smears, violence, and intimidation what they couldn’t do at the ballot box.”
If I remove two words, I can basically agree with you:
“I continue to maintain these protests are all about politically neutering 2MB in order to continue the leftist agenda in Korea that was stopped due to the election of 2MB. The Korean leftist groups are doing through misinformation, smears, violence, and intimidation what they couldn’t do at the ballot box.”
BTW, you do realize that you are using anti-LMB rhetoric when calling him “2MB,” don’t you?
Peace,
KB
7:50 pm on July 1st, 2008 30
Same-same…
Exactly. And why did beef have traction when the others didn’t? What was the added factor? — The US was involved with the beef….
How Baeksu can’t see clearly in comments #17 and 18 is beyond me.
It is now time to throw in the towel.
We have seen over the series of comments - Baeksu take up most of the common anti-US points.
If he wants to say the anti-US attitudes are justified, then he should do it — instead of blowing smoke screens.
And he needs to learn the history of term “sadaejuui”.
Bashing the heads of South Koreans protesting the Olympic torch is abstract?
And that is the exact point I made a year or so ago concerning how scholars on Korea are mistaken when they say there was little anti-US thought in Korean society before the Kwangju Massacre. What happened after Kwangju, and especially in the 1990s, anti-US culture became more distinct as democratic reforms were put in place.
Before that, however, protesting against the authoritarian regimes in South Korea was usually the same as protesting the US in Korea, because the people felt that the US was so strong and South Korea so dependent on it, if the US wanted democratic reform to replace the strongmen, it would happen, but since it didn’t, the US must want the dictatorships.
This current activity began on the clear anti-US track, but it switched stated focus when it became obvious to the people and civic group leaders that they were beginning to look foolish and childish in the foreign press (and Korean press).
7:55 pm on July 1st, 2008 31
Some clarification for the part about pre-Kwangju Massacre anti-US culture in South Korea:
Based on polls and other pieces of information collected in recent times — I do agree that anti-US thought pre-Kwangju covered much less of the society than it does now. The generations that are currently 70 years old and up have consistently shown a sincere good feeling about the US-SK relationship.
Once you start getting past the generations who knew Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War, however, the common attitude changes drastically.
8:16 pm on July 1st, 2008 32
Usinkorea, were the Catholic priests who lead the mass protest at City Hall last night “anti-American” and “pro-Pyongyang”?
Believe me, if I was hearing anti-US rhetoric or seeing lots of anti-US signs st the demos I would have no problem talking about that, but that is just not what I’m seeing or hearing.
There are currenly ads all over Chongno advertising for the massive rally planned for the 5th. The two main points of the ad are fighting against “mad-cow disease” and the “Lee Myung-bak government” and that’s it. The mad-cow reference doesn’t even use the Chinese character for America that is normally placed in front of the Korean word sogogi. There is no reference to the US at all in the ad. Furthermore, it calls for “renegotiation” of the beef deal. Now, why would they want to “renegotiate,” rather than just cancel the deal outright, if they were so anti-US?
Could it be that they just want guarranteed safe beef (in their own mind), and once they’ve got that, they’ll be happy to buy and eat US beef?
8:38 pm on July 1st, 2008 33
” were the Catholic priests who lead the mass protest at City Hall last night “anti-American””
Yes Catholic priets can be anti-American too.
hxxp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2552875.stm
“The leader of the South Korean Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice (CPAJ), Reverend Mun Kyu-hyun, told a rally that the road accident had led many to question the very presence of US forces.”
The old myth that “Only Radical Koreans Are Anti-American” is as old as Kimuchi.
hxxp://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DE1030F937A25753C1A961948260&sec=&spon=
For more anti American priests look here.
hxxp://www.angelfire.com/journal2/uglykorea/halloffame.html
8:49 pm on July 1st, 2008 34
It’s just more smoke screens!!!
10:02 pm on July 1st, 2008 35
First of all, Baeksu, the priests celebrated Mass, so “mass protest” might be a clever play on words, but it doesn’t really describe the scale (or lack thereof) of the protests. They keep getting smaller, which is understandable given that the recent Gallup poll shows that 58% of the populace thinks these protests need to end.
Second, as I understand it, the priests are concerned primarily about the escalation of violence, and only secondarily with the beef (non-)issue.
Third, the involvement of the priests is quite disappointing. For them to step into this tomfoolery, especially at this late stage, really cheapens their heroic participation in the struggle for democratization.
10:58 pm on July 1st, 2008 36
1. Ut videam, City Hall was so crowded last night — standing-room only — people were spilling into the streets. Ditto for tonight.
2. See my list of priorities of the protests.
3. Have meet quite a lot of priests at the protests, even back in late May.
11:01 pm on July 1st, 2008 37
I predict that the anti-American Buddhist monks will be next.
11:04 pm on July 1st, 2008 38
I’ve seen a lot of Buddhist monks participating as well. The line on them is that of course they’re not exactly buddy-buddy with the Christians, whom Lee is prominently aligned with.
11:21 pm on July 1st, 2008 39
Hey and thanks for all the fish!
12:33 am on July 2nd, 2008 40
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0h2S36A41R6ag/610x.jpg
12:43 am on July 2nd, 2008 41
Baeksu, you really need to take some time to learn what you are talking about. You’re starting to look like a fool.
There are two priest, and some collegues, who are extremely well known as anti-US activists. Like a handful of other leaders, you can see their faces come up at just about every spike in anti-US activity.
Anyone who has paid half-attention to Korea’s protest culture would know that.
In fact, it was the priest and some nuns and others in their circle — who were protesting in front of the US Embassy against possible military retaliation on Sept 12th 2001 — you know - the day after 9-11 when people in Tehran and Beijing were putting flowers outside the US Embassies in countries that aren’t particularly strong allies of the US.
As for other things you said — it is obvious none of this is going to sink through your skull:
anti-Lee and anti-Mad Cow is - in the Korean mind-set - the same as anti-US.
I can cut you some slack for cutting away the anti-US angle from anti-Lee stuff. But it is willful ignorance to attempt to say anti-Mad Cow activity has nothing to do with anti-US sentiment. Willful ignorance…
1:29 am on July 2nd, 2008 42
Usinkorea, perhaps you and I simply disgree on what “anti-US” means. That may be the main problem here.
I differentiate between “anti-US” and “anti-sadaejuui” and you don’t. To you it’s just “same same.”
That’s your choice, but in my opinion, class warfare is more important in this particular movement than anything else, including so-called “anti-Americanism.”
I am not talking about other protests in the past here, only this one. Call me a fool if you like, but I mainly see Korean factions fighting amonst each other rather than against the US in this particular case. And I have not derived this opinion from surfing the Net, but from direct observation and discussion with hundreds of the participants.
If you choose to disregard my opinion, that’s fine, but I can certainly see how your kind of attitude can be a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.
4:02 am on July 2nd, 2008 43
Ut Videam wrote:
King Baeksu responded:
Based on what I heard from both Chinese and Koreans while living in China and what I read in even halfway respectable online forums, the big brother/little brother relationship is not very fraternal. Real and urban mythological historical conflicts between the two countries are seeding and fueling mutual hostilities, especially among educated young people. South Korea outranks even Uncle Sam as the favorite target of Chinese netizens, who snidely ridicule Korean claims to historical greatness with dumb Polack-type jokes. Koreans give as good as they get. There is actually a website called “Kill the JJangkkae” or something like that with multiple bloggers. The Korean government and leftist organizations are slavishly sadaejui towards China while the public mutters slurs under its breath.
6:07 am on July 2nd, 2008 44
Baeksu,
First, I was too snotty with my last comment - or at least it comes off as too snotty.
But, I stick by the points made.
If you want to understand what is going on now, you have to look back at previous periods of unrest. If you don’t, you are having to argue that what is going on today is unique. And it isn’t.
And when you start asking questions like whether or not a group of protesting nuns or priests can really be involved in anti-US activity, you are exposing a glaring blindness to Korea’s protest culture.
and when you say something like — equating anti-sadaejuui with class warfare, I again have to have reason to believe you don’t really get Korean society and its social history.
Sadae-ism - is “serving the great” - right?
In the late 1800s and early 1900s was when that term took on the razor sharp cutting edge in Korean society. It was specifically aimed at Korea’s long relationship with China. It did blast the Korean government and yangban class — as having made Korea the pathetically weak country it was in the face of Japanese and Western colonialism — by saying that a slave-like attachment to China had prevented Korean society from evolving and gaining strenth.
So, if we are going to talk about sadae-ism in modern times, you are talking about an attack on people who are slavish to the US. You are talking about attacking people for giving too much power to the US inside Korea. You are talking about anti-Americanism.
You can’t bring up sadae-ism without having that involved or you aren’t really talking about sadae-ism in Korean society.
We could be disagreeing in part on what the definition of anti-Americanism is.
You could have a very narrow view of what constitutes it.
But there are other problems floating around here that even make unproductive our trying to nail each other down on what is anti-US culture.
This current street activity is not taking place in a vacuum.
That is why for the past several years I could give a very good educated guess that we would see this kind of activity once the GNP regained control of the presidency.
10:54 am on July 2nd, 2008 45
First, I was looking for more accurate information on the beef issues, and stumbled here. It seems like the Koreans aren’t the only ones with hot heads
I think that there are many interests at work in this demonstration. Of course traditional anti-american and pro-north korean factions(like minjoo nochong etc) are involved in the scene, and since they are more violent and dedicated, might catch the attention more. In the case of the Rice incident, the protesters were about 20 activists from “Pyunghwa wa Ton-ilul yuhnun saramdul” and I don’t think rest of the protestors(except maybe the minjoonochong and that line) cared. There are many anti-american groups at work, because of course it is a good opportunity to do so, however, I do not think most of the people who participated are particularly anti-american. Do you seriously think the high school, middle school students who started to demonstrate, and all the mothers who participated with their babies are anti-american? I would bet that they are more indifferent to the US.
It is also true, from experience, that much of the dislike towards the American government, not towards the people, rose after the Bush administration took power.
By the way, nobody refers to MB as similar to Park Jung-hee. If they say something about the police situation and etc, they refer his policies to those of Jun Doo-hwan. Just mentioning it because I saw a comment on that.
11:42 am on July 2nd, 2008 46
The violent protests going on now are different from when the protests began. The original protests were when the average Korean was turning out because they thought the US was trying to kill them with mad cow which was instigated by smears on the internet and sesational media reports.
The fact an average Korean would think that the US would deliberately send them beef to kill them is a perfect example of the undertone of anti-Americanism in Korea. Especially when US beef is indisputedly safer then domestic Korean beef. Could you imagine what would be said if a bunch of Americans protested claiming Samsung cellphones were being deliberately sent to the US to give Americans brain cancer?
The protests involving average Koreans were peaceful and these protesters have largely left the protests when the US agreed to send beef under 30 months of age to Korea. That is why the anti-US groups protesting now cannot draw the large numbers they once did, the Korean public at large has abandoned them because the protests to them was about beef and sending 2MB a message to not get chummy with the Americans.
The groups protesting now are the hardcore anti-US groups that are resorting to violence under the guise of the beef issue to politically neuter 2MB in order to continue their anti-US, pro-Pyongyang, leftist agenda in Korea that was stopped due to the election of 2MB. The Korean leftist groups are doing through misinformation, smears, violence, and intimidation what they couldn’t do at the ballot box.
1:19 pm on July 2nd, 2008 47
GL Korea//
I cannot really say for certain, but as far as I know there are still many people, although very diminished in number, that are “ordinary people”.(I can’t find a good word) So I am surprised that you are so sure that the people left are all anti-american.
The violence is in part a vicious circle. There are some violent protesters(including anti-american protesters), and some violent police, and of course some violent pro-american group members who are sparking the violence. I am not saying that anyone is right or wrong, but still most of the protestors, except maybe in the protests during June 26~28, tried to self-regulate the violence among themselves.
What you say also goes against the most recent development. For two days after the religious group, although someone said above that it is actually an anti-american group, came afront there has been no large scale violence.
1:28 pm on July 2nd, 2008 48
I don’t know if the people really think that US sends low quality beef deliberately, but I know not to trust groups, in which I don’t necessarily include the government, that obviously, and of course naturally, work “for profit”(not to kill :)). In that matter, there are lots of concern, boycotting and etc going on in Korea regarding recent food problems(Nongshim etc). The food problems in both Korea and the States now would be an example. I also feel that regulations, at least in Korea, are often ineffective and negligent. So the concern is not totally unjustified, although that thinking US as a governmental policy would send Korea bad beef would be quite out of proportion.
1:34 pm on July 2nd, 2008 49
“The fact an average Korean would think that the US would deliberately send them beef to kill them is a perfect example of the undertone of anti-Americanism in Korea. ”
OWCH!
1:37 pm on July 2nd, 2008 50
Usinkorea, I’m getting bored talking with you mainly because you cannot seem to get it through your head that I have been arguing all along that multiple factors and forces are at work in this movement and among the protesters. I frankly find it amusing that you are able so easily to generally about the intentions of 1,700 different civic groups. Takes a special kind of skill to be able to do that.
As for the Catholic priets at Monday’s mass, here is a summary of what went down:
http://www.gordsellar.com/2008/07/01/catholics-1-president-lee-0/
See any talk about the damn Yankees? I don’t. They were focused on the violence issue, first and foremost.
Happy surfing!
2:20 pm on July 2nd, 2008 51
Koreans care so much about food safety so they must be a member of the OIE - World organisation for animal health. They are the organization that monitors Mad Cow.
2:32 pm on July 2nd, 2008 52
Yes. Anti-US culture is shared throughout the society. And over the past 10 to 20 years, it has seeped down into even elementary schools. The indoctrination begins that early thanks in part to orgs like the Korea Teachers Union.
The part about it being sh’s fault is also a red herring. I gained the bulk of my understanding of anti-US culture in Korean society from teaching Korean adults in the late 1990s.
Baeksu,
And you have created a nice little box for yourself…
The main thrust of your comments has consistently been that the protests have almost nothing to do with anti-Amerianism, but your justifications have been easy to swat away - and when challenged on them - your recourse is to attempt to limit the discussion - because the ground you have been walking on is unstable.
For example, your use of sadaeism as class warfare or your decision that to ignore the historical context of Korean protest culture.
In fact, when you do offer some specifics, they are usually points easily countered or as GI Korea noted - makes the argument against you —- like your facile reference to priests.
Yeah. I might duck out of a debate too if my punches kept landing on my own chin….
2:42 pm on July 2nd, 2008 53
Again, facile material attempting to make a point without saying much - and getting it wrong.
Anyone who has paid half-attention to Korean protest culture over the years would have recognized that the frequent media description of umpteen thousand different civic groups are participating in this or that protest cycle — are headed by the same old people —
—-people who have paid attention to Korea’s protest culture over time — have gotten used to seeing the same faces — the very same faces — parading out for every conceivable anti-US, pro-North Korea cause under the sun.
We even started giving some of the nicknames - like The Priest and The Priest II and The Monk and Froggy and Alpha Male and so on.
The claim of thousands of different protest groups is typical Korean protest culture bullshit.
The fact you bring it up as some kind of justification for your point of view — again — shows you don’t understand much about Korean protest culture.
2:51 pm on July 2nd, 2008 54
“your use of sadaeism as class warfare”
How many times have I said these are separate issues? Didn’t I even make a simple numbered list and include anti-sadaejuui as No. 4?
Boring!
“Pro-Pyongyang”?
I’d be happy to admit that since I am disgusted by the present indifference towards the North amongst most South Koreans, but I just haven’t heard it, Mr. One-Note Johnny!
2:53 pm on July 2nd, 2008 55
I am amazed how sure people are of their opinions. People who say otherwise are “american butt-suckers” or “anti-american, North Korean indoctrinated reds”, and “people who are blind to Korea’s protest culture.” I don’t know how accurate you are about Korea’s anti-americanism, but even if it is, it seems to be 10 years ago that you learned about it. And as an American who grew up in Korea, I don’t think I have experienced the indoctrination. Your personal experience might say something, but it is hardly the “absolute truth,” as you seem to believe.
Well, this is off the point of my argument, but I address it since you just singled a part out without addressing the rest.
4:36 pm on July 2nd, 2008 56
Here is a message I received today from the US embassy in Seoul. I find the following words troubling: “Up to this point the demonstrations have not been overtly anti-American in nature…” and “…exercise extreme caution if within the vicinity of demonstrators.”
I do some work downtown Mr. Baeksu. You won’t be able to pull the wool over the eyes of those of us who see the protests first hand.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy’s warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know.
The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens throughout the Republic of Korea to exercise caution during demonstrations and vigils protesting the resumption of American beef imports and the policies of the Korean Government. The protests, which began eight weeks ago, have become more violent in recent days. Korean authorities stated on June 29 that they would crack down further on violent protesters. They have begun using water cannon and fire extinguishers to stop the advance of demonstrators and have stated that they reserve the right to use tear gas.
Up to this point the demonstrations have not been overtly anti-American in nature, but American citizens are nevertheless strongly urged to avoid the areas of the protests and to exercise extreme caution if within the vicinity of demonstrators. The center of protests in Seoul has thus far been Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, with demonstrators frequently attempting to move north along Sejongno toward the Blue House, the Presidential residence.
American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the American citizen community informed of any changes in the overall security situation via this email system and the Embassy websites at http://seoul.usembassy.gov and http://www.asktheconsul.org.
The Embassy encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with the American Citizens Services office at the U.S. Embassy or via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.
5:03 pm on July 2nd, 2008 57
Baeksu,
Looking back, I’ve seen where I misread your points on class warfare and sadae-ism — where I connected the two when you had not.
But the other commentor who pointed to the recent problems with China that did not spark a round of protests exposed the weakness in your idea well.
VK,
I’m not just going on 10 year old memories: I’ve read up on Korea and I’ve watched this particular issue (Anti-US culture) extensively over the years.
I am positive I am not speaking the “absolute truth” but I can see where Baeksu’s positions are weak — like with the comment about priests and the “large number” of “different” civic groups participating.
If you watch protest cycles come and go, you get a feel for them.
And like I said, I had been predicting starting over two years ago - about the mid-point in Roh’s presidency, that the next presidential election would bring about a return to this kind of protest activity. Now that it has come about, I am reassured I am much more correct in my interpretation of Korean protest culture than incorrect.
“anti-american, North Korean indoctrinated reds”
Being “pro-North” isn’t being a “red” for the average pro-North South Korean. Like with anti-US sentiment, the pro-North people hold their ideas in a feel-good manner. A sort of pop culture fashion rather than any significant ideological stance.
6:54 pm on July 2nd, 2008 58
Similar results can happen from different causes. Also, the New Right Confederation or whatever filed suits against 1800 groups that participated in the protests just for the record
And actually, “anti-american, North Korean indoctrinated reds” comes from many people who claim to be rights or pro MB or whatever else. My point is that to me people including you are generalizing too much.
11:56 pm on July 2nd, 2008 59
Usinkorea, I wish I had your special ability to divine the nature of this current protest movement without actually going or speaking to the participants directly, but in the meantime, I asked a Korean friend involved in the protests who is part of a Marxist-Leninist study group about the level of anti-Americanism shaping the protests, and this was his reply (translated from Korean):
“Anti-American tendency (or character)… well…
I oppose American imperialism but I don’t exclude Americans. I think especially American working classes are important for joint power.
There are various kinds of anti-Americanism in Korea; there is one like me and on the contrary, there is a somewhat nationalistic anti-Americanism.
But I think at the moment the protest’s character is general rage towards the LMB government without much relation with anti-Americanism.
Condoleezza Rice and G.W. Bush’s visit to Korea might influence the demonstration somehow, but we cannot make a hasty conclusion.
Because this situation is so dynamic, I think maybe anticipating where this is going to go or change belongs to a fortuneteller.
In my view, this problem came from the beef problem but beyond that problem, it is extending to the problem of the Grand Canal, Privatization, Education and the right to work.
Even though American beef has come to circulate in the Korean market, it will not be calmed easily.
Maybe this will be a long and tough struggle.
In my view, as there has been a partial change to the protest against neo-liberalism over the beef problem, the success or failure of this movement will depend on whether people join this or not.
*********
Usinkorea, I realize you may need the Cliff’s Notes version at this point, so let me make it clear for you: Just as I’ve already mentioned the issue of class warfare driving these protests, can you see that the above writer distinguises clearly between American imperialism (i.e., anti-sadaejuui) and need for solidarity with US working classes?
Or are you saying that this Korean person who is an active organizer actually knows less about this protest movement than you do?
12:09 am on July 3rd, 2008 60
USinKorea and GI Korea, you guys are right again.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/02/wheres-the-beef/
“Obviously, an underlying problem has been simmering in South Korea that only needed a triggering event to boil over. While the triggering event may have been provided by President Lee’s decision concerning U.S. beef imports, the underlying problem was created by his predecessors. For 10 years, Lee’s predecessors fostered an undercurrent of anti-Americanism. ”
“It is sad to see hundreds of thousands of South Korean protesters take to the streets, driven by anti-American sentiment.”
This should put the issue to bed.
12:22 am on July 3rd, 2008 61
“The main issue was Seoul’s “Sunshine” policy of appeasement toward North Korea…”
That word ‘appeasement’ makes it pretty clear where the writer is coming from. It’s called engagement, buddy.
You know, using a notorious Moonie rag like The Washington Times as a source is not going to impress anyone with half a brain.
In any case, the writer argues DJ and Roh are responsible for present high levels of anti-Americanism here, whereas Cumings blames Bush for the spike of anti-Americanism in Korea post-2000. I’d like to see GI “fisk” Cumings’ position here as he suggested he might do.
The Washington Times cited as the definitive authority on this issue? Ha! That’s a good one!
4:54 am on July 3rd, 2008 62
Baeksu,
You can try to be witty all you want — you will still continue to show you don’t understand Korea’s protest culture. As I’ve noted already, you have exposed yourself more than once.
Now, you are putting forward the view of a Marxist-Leninist to justify your view of what this is all really about.
You are actually going to a communist to justify an idea that even he is not “anti-US” because he wants solidarity with “America’s working class”….
Earlier you used Bruce Cumings as your foundation.
Then you smuggly write “You know, using a notorious Moonie rag like The Washington Times as a source is not going to impress anyone with half a brain.”
Cumings and Marxists are your go to guys - but the Washington Times is a propagada rag…
That let’s me know continuing this discussion is pointless.
But if you want, I’ll give you a suggestion for what you can do with your cliff notes.
5:41 am on July 3rd, 2008 63
Not only high school and middle school, but even elementary school students harbor negative feelings towards the US. I say this based on conversations in Korean and English and observations while teaching at a K-12 foreign school with a Korean majority student body in China. The kids get a lot of their ideas from online content. For example, in the aftermath of the 2002 accident, somebody developed a series of cartoons depicting Koreans fighting and killing US soldiers. My elementary students were embarrassed when they realized I was looking over their shoulders as they cheered on the Korean shooting down a US helicopter. These kids also drew pictures of the Korean jet fighters shooting down US planes. With allies like Korea, who needs enemies? As for Korean moms, well, the recent IHT story on the beef protests included a photo of a Korean mom and her kids holding up signs calling US Ambassador Vershbow a ssagaji and demanding his ouster because of a misinterpreted remark. If you think most Koreans are “indifferent” to the US, you must have been living in a different Korea than the one we all know and love.
10:16 am on July 3rd, 2008 64
“The kids get a lot of their ideas from online content. For example, in the aftermath of the 2002 accident, somebody developed a series of cartoons depicting Koreans fighting and killing US soldiers.” quoted from Sonagi
First of all, I am an active internet user, but I have never saw such material, therefore I cannot make myself to believe that it was a major thing. It might be that I lack the knowledge. I just wonder if it is not because they live in a foreign country, or maybe specifically China. It is hardly an “American friendly environment” there. It is true that the accident did spark some anti-American sentiment, because people felt that the issue was inadequatly addressed. Also, any or most countries that have the US Army has mass protests especially when there are accidents or crime caused by them. Sure the Korean protest was much larger in scale, but I still think it could be explained in similar lines. Thus I can only say that it is probably insufficient to conclude that Koreans generally have a negative attitude towards the US, not because of situations. There is also I factor that I mentioned, though not strongly expressed, that some of the mistrust that might exist mainly started after the Bush administration.
And as I said before, those who have negative feelings tend to go upfront and show their opinions maybe for no real reason, but the rest will not go to Vershbow and give him flowers for no reason. So it is natural that the negative feelings recieve more spotlight.
I didn’t know Korean students in China harbored such ill-will towards the US government or Army.(hoping that the fact that they were embarrassed and didn’t accuse you shows that the anger was limited to a certain level)
11:02 am on July 3rd, 2008 65
“My elementary students were embarrassed when they realized I was looking over their shoulders as they cheered on the Korean shooting down a US helicopter.”
Koreans cheered like AK47 shooting hezbulah, after they heard about 9-11. Koreans celebrate the death of Americans. Its sad, but Americans are just too foolish to realize what Koreans think about them.
Many honest and helpful people like GI Korea and USinKorea expose how the so called anti-US beef riots are because of deep anti-American feelins of your average Koreans.
11:38 am on July 3rd, 2008 66
shattered, you are not just a person with different opinions, but a hopelessly biased person. People who agree with you are honest and helpful
? Does that imply that the rest are liars and an hindrance? I wonder what made you so narrow-minded, and feel pretty sorry for you. 
11:55 am on July 3rd, 2008 67
http://www.usinkorea.org/issues/generations/
That is an older post I did — it has some quotes and some numbers concerning the targeting of youth with anti-US promotion.
The next two links are about music videos aimed a kids.
http://usinkorea.org/issues/kiddiesong2/index.html
http://usinkorea.org/issues/kiddiesong1/index.html
The last link below is to a page about some of Korea’s reaction to 9/11. One of news articles quoted talks about how a similar anti-US song put to a children’s tune was widely downloaded in the Pusan and southern Korea area.
http://www.geocities.com/korea911memory/
When I taught kids late in the 1990s, I didn’t catch any hint about this kind of material. I might have heard some high school students bringing up a couple of the common themes in anti-US justification, but I didn’t get the sense that the youth was being targeted like this.
But, it became clear in the early 2000s that they at least are prime targets now.
….And those items about the kiddie songs using bin Laden as a way to slam the US — happened months before the 2002 armored vehicle accident…….and hardly a year into Bush’s first term…
11:56 am on July 3rd, 2008 68
GI Korea — I’ve got a comment hung in the spam filter due to links….
12:01 pm on July 3rd, 2008 69
Usinkorea, if you cannot understand why I quoted someone from the radical left to make my larger point, then it is obvious that your obtuseness disqualifies you from any further commentary on this matter.
12:05 pm on July 3rd, 2008 70
“Does that imply that the rest are liars and an hindrance?”
Where we differ is that I think for myself and you are an Korean apologist. Need proof?
“Thus I can only say that it is probably insufficient to conclude that Koreans generally have a negative attitude towards the US”
Does VK stand for vanker? Because you are pissing on my leg and telling me its raining.
1:06 am on July 4th, 2008 71
These kids were FOBs in China a year or less. They spoke minimal Chinese and socialized mostly with each other. They did not watch Chinese television. Rather, they watched Korean satellite TV or used the internet. My perception as an American who lived in both Korea and China for several years each is that there is more open anti-Americanism in Korea than in China because public political expression is rigidly controlled in the latter. Based on my own experiences and the experiences of friends and acquaintances, China is an “American friendly environment” on a personal level. Korea is, too. The difference is that there is far more political activism in Korea, and much of it targets the US. Koreans of all ages are exposed to much more anti-American content than the Chinese are. I say this based on media and online content in both languages, which I am able to read. In fact, in Chinese online forums, there are more anti-Korean than either anti-American or anti-Japanese posts.
As I already explained, these kids were mostly FOBs whose attitudes towards the US and the US army came from Korean society, not Chinese society. Koreans generally avoid making anti-American expressions to individual Americans they know personally. When I first took a job as a university lecturer, I worried about anti-Americanism in the classroom, but my worries proved unfounded as students avoided making obvious anti-American remarks to me. My Canadian and British colleagues, however, got an earful of the same stuff that gets discussed in student organization meetings.
“Some anti-American sentiment”? Understatement of the year.
1:38 am on July 4th, 2008 72
The Rioters live in an impersonal, competitive, crowded world, where the individual matters little.
The beef is simply a catalyst for venting the long simmering rage “I’m mad as hell, and I am not going to take it anymore”.
Few of them have a clue about the benefits of free trade, the fact that being hit by lightening is far more probable than getting sick from a cow, and they play perfectly into the powerful beef and rice farmer lobby who have a lot to lose.
If it wasn’t the beef, or the FTA , then they would find some other excuse to serve as a flashpoint.
Don’t they have any trust at all in their Government?
Do they really think their Government would deliberately poison it’s subjects to gain some foreign exchange?
Reminents of the ghost of the hermit Kingdom,.
Some things never die.
2:23 am on July 4th, 2008 73
Yes. They do in fact trust their government. I am convinced that is the key to this current cycle of protests:
Why didn’t we see something like this under President Roh? There were several things he did that were highly unpopular among the masses. He and is party were pummeled in every election since 2002.
So, it was not because the masses supported Roh.
But, just as soon as a GNPer got into the Blue House, the society went back to the type of protests common pre-Roh…
Somebody could say that it is the progressives who are in the street now and they would not have been against Roh.
That doesn’t go very far to me. Roh lost a lot of support in progressive circles due to some things he did.
But, my main objection to that idea is that the protests we’ve seen under Lee have been very large at times - and have managed to continue week after week after week…
That doesn’t happen unless a large chunk of the society - a lot of average Koreans - are willing to participate and/or give approval.
I’ve seen some talk about the “silent majority” the last couple of days — like Nixon tried to sell to the American people…
I don’t buy it for Korea.
The Korean press and society have shown in the past that their opinion matters - when they work together - when they have the same opinion.
When average Koreans become annoyed, angry, or fearful due to protests, their displeasure registers and the protests either die or are supported by only a handful of members of the usual civic groups.
The MacArthur statue protests a couple of years ago is a good example: The anti-US websites really, really tried to gin up excitement for the protests. They announced them early, and they really put a lot of effort into coordinating their message about what the statue stood for and their message that all Koreans needed to join in the protests. It was more of a coordinated effort among these many different web-portals than I could ever remember seeing before.
And the media looked at the promotion and decided to get ahead of the curve and criticize the planned protests.
And the average Koreans clearly agreed with the media on that one.
Because the protests, when they came, were nothing more than the university student radicals and few other usual civic group members. There numbers were small, and they were met by a similar number of the conservative anti-anti-US groups - primarily the veterans association that occasionally likes to duke it out with the radical college students.
And — more important to this discussion — after the first clash in the park around the statue, Korean society — the masses of average Koreans — put pressure on the civic groups to stop, in part because the international news media was paying attention despite the low protest numbers.
Large protests like we have seen recently do not happen and continue to happen - unless that silent majority in South Korea is sympathetic to them.
The protests we are seeing today might happen against the majority will - but not the massive protests we saw a couple of weeks ago.
So why is the society more willing to vent under Lee - a brand new president who hasn’t had time to do much of anything - than they were under Roh?
Because, they trust Lee. They trust Lee to ignore the protest culture when it comes to making policy. They trust he will heal all wounds that might be inflicted in the US-SK relationship.
Roh gave them plenty of reason to believe he would do the opposite if they gave him half a chance — (instead of pressuring him to do things to strengthen the alliance he didn’t really want to do).
In short….anti-US activity is safe again.