By Tom McGregor from the Dallas Blog tends to think so:
Who really cares about two rocks jutting out of the Sea of Japan? Oops! I stand corrected. The entire nation of South Korea erupts into an uproar of mammoth proportions whenever Japan jokingly declares that these meaningless islets should be renamed Takeshima, not Dokdo, and they insist it’s Japanese territory.
Shortly after Japan published school textbooks claiming territorial rights over Takeshima, massive South Korean protests emerged upon the streets of Seoul. Some even called for war against the so-called Japanese invaders of Dokdo.
Yet, one day after the Cheonan naval ship exploded, most likely due to a North Korean torpedo attack, the streets of Seoul were relatively empty with nobody protesting on a Saturday. [Dallas Blog]
You can read more at the link, but the differences in responses by the Korean public is not surprising. The Korean public goes into hysteria when first prompted by the Internet and TV media. The usual civic groups than organize rallies, which depending on the success of the media sensationalism of the topic, the rallies than eventually attract regular Koreans to join the protests. The US beef protests in 2008 is the best example of this. The Dokdo issue doesn’t even need much media sensationalism due to Koreans long simmering animosity towards Japan.
After 10 years of the Sunshine Policy and a sympathetic media, the same level of hate against North Korea cannot be generated in the Korean public. I think a better example than the Dokdo issue to compare the Cheonan tragedy with is the 2002 Armored Vehicle Accident. During that accident the Internet and media sensationalism that were followed up with rallies by the anti-US groups brought the entire nation into an uproar over a traffic accident that tragically killed two girls, which the US accepted responsibility for. The 2002 Armored Vehicle accident response was even extremely hypocritical back then because during the same month of the accident the North Koreans murdered 6 ROK naval personnel during an ambush along the NLL. There was of course media minimalization and little public outrage in response.
I really don’t know how many people the North Koreans would have to kill until there is any mass public outrage, but what we do know from this latest incident is that killing 46 young men on the Cheonan isn’t high enough.
10:43 am on April 28th, 2010 1
Now the [Dallas Blog] site is blocked. Yes the sensationalist has control of the [KR] internet.
12:24 pm on April 28th, 2010 2
You guys keep up with beating the same old dead horse.
I thought you guys would have waited at least until they ruled that it was North Korea for sure with proof before starting another round of bashings.
But as of now there is no official word.
12:43 pm on April 28th, 2010 3
I think it's more fear than some sort of ideological issue. With the United States and Japan, they know they can throw a few rocks, do a few crazy stunts, and ultimately, but ultimately, those issues aren't going to lead to a violent response.
However, with North Korea, there are very real consequences. Sure, they talk about brotherhood and unity, but in the end, North Korea still has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and ten thousand pieces of artillery lined up against the border. The North knows full well that the South isn't going to respond; unlike a Northern government that has nothing to lose, the South has six decades of economic growth that could be jeopardized. North Korea gets away with it because it knows that no one is going to militarily challenge them for it whether it be running assassination teams into Seoul, hacking GI's with hatchets, blowing up airliners, sinking corvettes, dropping commandos on the east coast, or even testing nuclear weapons. They cause trouble, draw attention to themselves, then try to extort the international community for more aid.
12:59 pm on April 28th, 2010 4
I'm disappointed. I was really hoping for more US hate and blame in your post.
1:02 pm on April 28th, 2010 5
I was able to access the site from a Korean commercial connection…
4:41 pm on April 28th, 2010 6
Are Koreans Hypocrites In Dokdo & Cheonan Responses?Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
6:30 pm on April 28th, 2010 7
Hypocrites? No, I don’t think so. Their responses have been consistant for the last 10-15 years. What happens in Korea, (North or South) stays in Korea. What happens outside of Korea is open season.
It would appear that the South Koreans have already united with the north as one Korea. Any problems would be considered internal between the Koreas. Its only a matter of time for them until the two are reunited and one again.
Japan, China, the US, and Russia are outsiders, and subject to critisizm.
6:54 pm on April 28th, 2010 8
I think the basic answer is yes. I don’t see reunification happening. The South is basically not prepared to give up their standard of living. Look at how they treat escapees now. Most of them are unhappy apparently at how their brothers look at them.
8:08 pm on April 28th, 2010 9
If some netizen were to suddenly post that Seoul was bombed/wiped out and then text messages were sent to anyone and everyone around S. Korea including middle school students such as was the case with U.S. beef then the Korean people/soldiers would probably run south maybe to Daejon. There the demonstrations could evolve for this springs' entertainment. But, of course the word "hypocrites" is very fitting here. Gerry makes a good point but only considers race/outsiders rather than including the issues. Koreans are hypocritical on issues as is sooooo obvious here.
8:26 pm on April 28th, 2010 10
I would like the owner of that blog explain where he got that picture of the Koreans throwing rocks at somebody. I'm trying to look at the signs that they're carrying, but I can't read them because the picture is blurred. It looks nothing like they're rioting against the Japanese. I've never heard or seen any riots because of Tokdo issue. There maybe indignation in the media over the Japan issues, but not some violent riots over it. If there was any mass violence, it would have been all over the news.
So tell me, where and when.
8:28 pm on April 28th, 2010 11
The hate goes both ways, Leon. Both ways.
8:30 pm on April 28th, 2010 12
It doesn't take much "water" to brainwash some people, eh, "Tom"????
8:38 pm on April 28th, 2010 13
Obviously, the communists still have 5th column plants all over South Korea. We know they have them in universities and schools. Many are also probably placed in the media and immigration. Chinse students can protest, en masse, and nothing is done. Anyone from Africa, the Middle East, or Russia can enter the country without any skills/degrees/jobs, and that's not a problem. No one even bothers to ask for a police check. But let some westerners with degrees and background checks, try to work in Korea and Korean immigration swings into full action. Gotta have a big crackdown on those legally teaching while known terrorists can come and go as they please for nearly a decade.
8:41 pm on April 28th, 2010 14
Ruling? From what court?
8:53 pm on April 28th, 2010 15
What would South Korea do if it was determined North Korea sunk the ship? South Korea will never admit the North did this because they would look even more foolish than they do now.
9:00 pm on April 28th, 2010 16
The picture came from here:
http://www.dallasblog.com/images/stories/tmcgrego…
It clearly says Dokdo on the big sign on the left.
9:18 pm on April 28th, 2010 17
No it doesn't actually. Thanks for posting the picture.
This looks like it's the anti-government demonstration of 2008 when people were protesting the mad cow import and Lee Myung Bak's government.
Can you guys even read the sign? What it says?
You guys have your own propagandas that you guys peddle and get sucked into. You are no better actually.
9:25 pm on April 28th, 2010 18
I meant "no it's not really about Dokdo".
The sign accuses the government of endangering Korean people's health, and that the government gave away Dokdo to the Japanese, and the Lee Myung Bak government is a fraud.. bla bla bla. It's clearly an anti-government protest.
9:31 pm on April 28th, 2010 19
This is what we call "projection".
Westerners are treated far better by the immigration than the people who come from developing countries. Blogs like this are also part of the problem. 
11:27 pm on April 28th, 2010 20
You guys don’t expect Korea to go to war with NK only to satisfy your expectation, right??
Not even the USA dare to attack NK why should SK do that now??
If SK adopts a cold and controlled reaction against NK you guys call it hypocrisy, but if SK adopts an emotional and blinded reaction against NK you would call it ignorance, so after all no matter what Korea does, you would keep bashing anyway…
Jumping to retaliation is all NK wants right now and even the USA acknowledges it, but the strategy geniuses here think just because of Dokdo issue SK should march against NK. I didn’t get the point here. Apples and oranges gentlemen !!!!
The article is right. Bashing Japan because of Dokdo has not military consequences but striking back NK has serious consequences (war), so SK is doing the right thing and the bashers here are the world’s most hypocrite people I have ever seen.
11:36 pm on April 28th, 2010 21
Not to say that I doubt there's a fifth column, but…What hurts more, to be wronged by an asshole or to be wronged by a friend?
11:58 pm on April 28th, 2010 22
People aren't frustrated as to why the South Koreans are not slaughtering animals in the street to protest North Korean actions but instead, why aren't South Koreans adopt a more rational and cool headed reaction when it comes to issues with Japan and the United States? Why do they instead adopt a stance and rhetoric that makes it seem like they're ready to go to war with Japan over a rock that they already control because of a statement by some Japanese fringe political hack or movement that wants the attention? Why the violent irrationality when the risks are low? That is the hypocrisy.
1:01 am on April 29th, 2010 23
I don't "expect" the ROK to do a damn thing except look to America for help.
That and blame America when it suits them. That is really all I expect from S. Korea.
1:09 am on April 29th, 2010 24
Korea will always react emotionally when it comes to Japan, and so will with NK, but as for Japan they feel anger because of historical reasons and for NK a mixture of anger, sadness and hope because of racial issue.
It works this way: you can’t treat your brother like you treat your neighbors, although your brother sometimes behaves worst than your neighbors. It’s like what happens between USA and Israel, because Israel keep messing around in the middle east, like kicking the .. of its neighbors and posses nukes secretly and insist to act like a kid undermining all American effort to bring political stability in the region, but USA just ignore it and keep renewing its strong commitment to Israel despite of Israel’s childish behavior. Can you call it hypocrisy?
There must be a good reason behind such behavior but I don’t know if hypocrisy is the right reason … (we all know what the reasons are)
1:11 am on April 29th, 2010 25
You are here for that very reason. If you are not willing to do that what are doing here?
1:14 am on April 29th, 2010 26
The USA is in Korea to previde protection to Korea. If you are not willing to do so than you should reconsider the reason why you guys are in Korea.
2:14 am on April 29th, 2010 27
I am not sure if it's hypocrisy; however, I would say it's something a bit more complex and nuanced which outside observers of South Korea who are unfamiliar with Korean society would understandably interpret as hypocrisy.
As much as South Koreans will vehemently and angrily deny this if inquired by non-Koreans, there is still an undercurrent of self-perceived inferiority towards the United States and Japan.
I'm not going to get into detail here about other so-called manifestations of this inferiority and insecurity, but it fits in very nicely with the traditional flunkeyism (sa-deh-joo-yee) mentality from old Korea. Korea is still new at democracy and its Confucianist traditions most probably ensure there will always be an innate, built-in inequality within Korean society, which is only exacerbated by factors such as capitalism and free market forces (winners & losers).
I will, however, say this. Those who are familiar with South Korea, such as the US GI who authors this blog, will readily recognize the fact that by and large, South Koreans look down on North Korean defectors; they treat them with contempt and view them as backward, retrograde, and inferior; as individuals whose place in society is to be servants. While South Koreans have at times looked down on other expatriate Koreans (Korean-Americans, Korean-Japanese, Korean-Chinese from Manchuria, Soviet/Russian Koreans, etc) for being "insufficiently Korean," I personally view the general attitude of the ROK public towards DPRK defectors as particularly disdainful. It's as if they are a painful reminder of the poverty which the ROK itself was mired in only a generation ago, a dire reality which older Koreans readily recall and which the younger ones have no knowledge of besides books and documentaries and which they certainly have no wish to face.
Furthermore, ROK citizens know that for all the bellicose history involving North Korea, that this is a bankrupt and dirt-poor state whose only relevance to the South is its ethnic and cultural brotherhood, its land border, the relatives of ROK citizens in the North, and the army, artillery, and nukes which could wreak havoc on the ROK. They know the DPRK is decades behind the ROK in virtually every measure. And therefore they look down on the DPRK no less than they look down on Southeast Asian countries (whose ROK-residing citizens aren't exactly treated that well either).
However, the story is quite different with both the United States and Japan.
The United States is South Korea's "great benefactor." It liberated the southern part of the peninsula from Japanese rule; it saved the ROK from Kim Il-Sung during the Korean War; it helped the ROK economy grow; it has stood by its side steadfastly since 1953 to prevent another northern attack. And it is a superpower, the world's militarily and economically mightiest country. Everyone in the ROK, even the radical leftists, knows that "USA" is respected for obvious reasons in ways that "DPRK" or a backwater in Africa or Central America simply is not.
Similarly with Japan, South Koreans are aware of Japan's power. They still (and rightfully and understandably so) resentful of Japan's occupation of Korea and "revisionist" statements by certain Japanese leaders do not help. However, South Koreans are very well aware that Japan is a major world power both economically and politically. They know that Japan has been, since its recovery after World War II, one of the top economies in the world. They know Japan is an advanced and modern society and that it reached this status before South Korea did. In my view, mixed in with the grudge and anger at Japan, there is also amongst at least some South Koreans, a grudging respect of Japan's achievements and status.
But North Korea? What's there about that state for the South to envy? Eating tree bark? Being malnourished and undergrown? Wearing vinalon clothes every day?
This is also why South Koreans are disdainful of China. China may be physically huge, a financial and military superpower, and a rising force all will have to respect. But despite China's recent progress, many South Koreans look down on Chinese as barbaric, unclean, and uncivilized, and the fact that China is emerging so fast despite domestic examples of needs for modernization irks South Koreans. They consider South Korea superior to China in virtually all aspects and it drives them crazy that an "inferior" nation like China could surpass them. They do not hold such views towards the United States or Japan.
So in sum… the virulent protests over US beef and Dokdo stem from inferiority (and the knowledge Washington and Tokyo will take it quietly). Beijing and Pyongyang wouldn't – and that's another reason that South Koreans remain silent.
2:26 am on April 29th, 2010 28
I also wonder if that's because the average South Korea genuinely fears North Korea – but doesn't fear Japan. While some might consider Japan an 'enemy', they don't fear Japan's military invading the country, releasing dams, blowing up nuclear weapons, or anything of the sort. Japan would have too much to lose and not much to gain – North Korea has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Why not protest the people that won't kill you if you do? Why protest the people that might kill you?
3:43 am on April 29th, 2010 29
USA and Israel are a different sort of relationship, perhaps similar to USA and the ROK: the nations are allies, and while their ally does things that cause them headaches, ultimately, their fates are still tied together and they tolerate each other. The United States tolerates Israel's behavior and continues to support them despite the stupid things they do, much like the relationship between the United States and South Korea.
Also, it should be noted that there are plenty of anti Israeli protests and political voices within the US system despite them being a "brother" as you put it. I don't even see that level of discourse in South Korean civil society.
Yes, I am fully aware there is a historical animosity between Korea and Japan. However, even given the history, does the near murderous emotional response that Korea gives Japan over something a Japanese hack says reasonable or proportional? Yet when North Koreans go and kill hundreds of South Korean citizens and continuously threaten to annihilate Seoul, there is an eerie quiet? Just how much can "brotherly tolerance" take? Perhaps its not hypocrisy but fear.
3:48 am on April 29th, 2010 30
Actually, I will defer to Korean American's post below. I think his well thought out explanation is probably a better and more nuanced explanation.
3:51 am on April 29th, 2010 31
I just spoke with a contact in the Korean navy who is involved in the Cheonan investigation.
While I shouldn't speak about a lot of the stuff he told me, I can pass on a few things of interest.
As I write this, they are running a detailed simulation of the sinking of the Cheonan using an advanced naval warfare simulator.
I got some pictures of the simulation and I think it clearly shows the presence of a submarine masking itself among other vessels.
Although I was not given specific permission, I have posted one of the pictures so that you may draw your own conclusions.
http://voiceofameritrash.com/blog/wp-content/uplo…
Another simulation on separate equipment found that Colonel Mustard did it in the library with the lead pipe.
4:29 am on April 29th, 2010 32
Well thought out and presented summation of what many of us 외국인 – that are intimately familiar (more so than we are often given credit for) with the Korean culture, people and mentality – have been saying for some time. I give you credit for taking the time to put it in a less juvenile presentation than most of us have bothered taking the time to do.
4:36 am on April 29th, 2010 33
I have no words for this ….
5:02 am on April 29th, 2010 34
SJ,
As I said before you can not treat your brother like you treat your neighbor. The USA is bound to Israel because of a treaty but SK is bound to NK because of brotherhood. If the USA tolerates Israel mess because of a paper how much more Korea would be prone to tolerate NK because of its blood link. The blood is thicker than ink.
Japan, on the other hand, was always our enemy …
5:19 am on April 29th, 2010 35
Here's a different point of view on the whole Dokdo stuff…
Below are some links to articles where Japan and China are fighting over a couple of similar godforsaken rocks in the Pacific Ocean that nobody lives on. Apparently, these uninhabited rocks (like Dokdo) are potentially worth billions.
So what's my point? Even if you could somehow forget about the paranoid nationalistic fervor on both sides, there's no way either Korea or Japan is going to easily give up control of potentially billions of dollars worth of ocean resources.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/20/world/asia/20iht-web.0...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24029480/
5:29 am on April 29th, 2010 36
There is more to the relationship between Israel and the USA than ink. You seem to forget that the majority of the US is Christian and the majority of Christians in American believe we have a covenant relationship with Israel. That's the hard fact.
The old saying, "blood is thicker than water" actually refers to the old tradition of "blood covenants". A blood covenant is a two-way relationship and a total commitment unto death. Blood covenants are made between people of no relationship, but made on promises to each other that must be kept (as in God's covenant with Abraham). The term "blood is thicker than water" refers to a blood covenant being thicker (stronger) than a covenant created through the birth water.
7:28 am on April 29th, 2010 37
Exactly my point. We should leave.
10:33 am on April 29th, 2010 38
"The entire nation of South Korea erupts into an uproar of mammoth proportions whenever Japan jokingly declares that these meaningless islets should be renamed Takeshima,"
–Dallas Blog
The blogger is intentionally being disingenuous here. Anyone familiar with Japan's border disputes with Russia, China, and Korea knows that Japan is extremely serious about every piece of rock they think is theirs. The wording here is made solely to insult all Koreans, whether they care about Dokto, or otherwise.
"I really don’t know how many people the North Koreans would have to kill until there is any mass public outrage,"
–GIKorea
Actually, I think the Koreans' reaction to Cheonan's sinking is normal behavior. In times of national grief, the public waits for the government and, in particular, the national leader to indicate how the public should react. If President Lee wanted to, he probably could whip up a frenzy, especially among conservatives. I think, instead, Lee is trying to defuse the potential for a hysteric reaction from the public. Unfortunately, I think he's being helped by DPRK sympathisers who are trying to introduce various conspiracy theories into the national discussion to deflect blame from the DPRK for their murders. Recent national polls seem to indicate that a significant minority do not think the DPRK did it.
Every Dokto demonstration and the demonstrations following the incident involving the 2 girls are examples of hysteric behavior on a massive scale and should be seen in that light. Such social phenomena are not uncommon. In the last ten years in America, we have witnessed hysteric demonstrations by the Tea Party, anti-Obamacare activists, Birthers, Code Pink, Cindy Sheehan supporters, anti-Bush activists, anti-Iraq War activists, Truthers, and anti-FTA, -G7, -G8, and -G20 activists. And that's hardly an exhaustive list.
What I'm curious about today regarding this issue is how many Korean youths who participated in the anti-US beef rally are rethinking their actions in light of the domestic Korean beef crisis. If the answer is hundreds, then I think there's hope.
11:50 am on April 29th, 2010 39
Not an individual decision and you know it. Don't use intellectual vapid arguments, we expect better from YU.
12:28 pm on April 29th, 2010 40
Are you trying to tell us the North Koreans have a huge military that the South is afraid of? I seriously doubt that is the case.
If you're in the North Korean military and fired more than 10 bullets or one artillory round in two years, you would be considered highly trained. No fuel for manuevers, or tank training, much less pilot training in mostly very old aircraft. No GPS or laser guided weapons, or navigation equipment. Few if any night vision gear or infrared targeting systems. And on and on.
The North Korean military is not a threat to South Korea other than they can become a distraction of lives and money until the inevitable defeat of the north would occur. I suspect any war would be fairly quick and be over in less than six weeks or less. With the complete destruction of the norths military and government as a result. The norths leadership would not want this to happen as it would mean the end of their priviledged lifestyle.
I am certain the North Korean leadership is aware of this. So in the interum, they play the game of cat and mouse hoping they will provoke the south into giving them more money without starting a war.
12:33 pm on April 29th, 2010 41
No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primitive as can be.
however, they could do significant damage, even with a pitchfork charge… and they're hungry, desperate people.
1:09 pm on April 29th, 2010 42
I really enjoyed this comment, Korean American. Very well informed and fun to read. Thanks.
11:28 pm on April 29th, 2010 43
Leon,
Intelligence? What for if most discussions here are based on emotions rather than sound reason.
Take Retired GI for instance … every time he jumps into a discussion and has nothing worthy to say he sums up his thoughts with his favorite words “we must leave Korea” and that’s it, nobody bothers him even though this is a complicated issue that can not be solved by just packing your socks and underwear and take the fist plane. The main reason for the USA presence in Korea is USA interest in the region, and the blood of thousands of Americans soldiers died during the Korean War is the proof of that, so every time Retired GI repeats those words he is plotting against USA interest in Korea and is despising the sacrifice of those soldiers. I see no intelligence here but nobody seems to be bothered with nonsense he says …
However if a guy like me just state the obvious that the USA is here is to provide protection to Korea in change of a pieces of soil to stay here, than you call it ignorance? You need to elaborate better you words because this situation has nothing to do with intelligence. Is just a fact and I just described it.
What is so difficult to understand? Korea and the USA are exchanging land for protection and that’s stated in papers signed by both parties.
I expected more from you too ….
1:35 am on April 30th, 2010 44
I wonder what kind of jobs these people have?
Just some retarded comments exchanging between english teachers and G.I.s… both known as LBHs..
2:05 am on April 30th, 2010 45
Two part answer to a two part question, Dr. Yu:
1. The Relevance of Leon's Comment: In English "you" can have lots of different meaning. In the context of your comment, all but one is irrelevant because it involves individual American service members or groups of such people who have no recourse but to be in Korea if told to do so. Be more specific next time so as not to let someone take advantage of the vagueness built into English
!
2. Why We Don't Jump on Retired GI: I would guess we don't jump on him because we all either agree with him or understand the sentiment he expresses. Look, I've watched your comments over time and largely agree with them. However, I've also had some less than pleasant experiences on this topic. Things like having young, healthy, well educated Koreans who take full advantage of the benefits of being aligned with a society which can put humans on the Moon tell me "We don't need a bunch of uncultured barbarians running around our land. All they (which I take as really being "you") do is get drunk, murder old people and rape schoolgirls!" Like I said, I tend to agree with you on this topic, but a part of me would just love to see the people I've just described get their way and wind up with a DPRK bullet between their eyes or to spend the rest of their lives eating Chinese, Japanese or Russian fecal matter
!
5:26 am on May 1st, 2010 46
Well noted Chris and thanks for your advice. I always appreciate your comments because it is from a non-soldier perspective.
I don’t meant to say that soldiers are not trust worthy, but because of their special situation in Korea sometimes they are biased, or are based on very limited experience on Korea, and it is clear that they come to k-blogs to deal with their frustrations.
I met some of them in Songtan and even got a free beer from one of them. Basically most of them are nice people trying to do their job, but there are always those idiots that give the bad example for the rest of the group.
For those people I agree they should spend the rest of their lives eating Chinese, Japanese or Russian fecal matter.