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Korea stands at a crossroads: Who will set its political agenda? The highly
organized, pro-Pyongyang "NGOs" or its elected leaders? This, I believe, will be
the focus of this week's Seoul-Washington talks. For years Korea used
the United States and U.S. forces in Korea as scapegoats. The authorities
allowed anti-American protests as a way of diverting
attention from their own Olympic-scale larceny and
human rights abuses. I doubt after last year's events
the U.S. people or government will allow this to
continue.
The internet has changed things. First, it
allowed the anti-American crowds to get bigger and
more organized. Second, it spawned English versions of
the major Korean papers. Third, anti-American
demonstrations like the ones last year get back to
America really fast.
Korea is still a top-down society, no matter what the
so called 20-30 generation says. Blatant lies have
been spread about the USFK for years, and now the
lies spread faster via sites such as OhmyNews and
antimigun.org. A 20-something girl is confronted with
ugly images involving Americans, and then is told by a
senior to get on the street and protest. They do
so, and they really believe in what they are doing.
What those in the 20-30 generation fail to realize is that their
actions will have consequences. They have never been
taught to think for themselves. They love cell-phones
and computers, but do not really know what is involved
in producing and buying them. To them, the United States is the
Great Satan. Hating it and ridding Korea of the USFK
is the only thing that matters.
That said, they really did not want the USFK to leave. What they did was fun - like cheering for the national soccer team. President Roh Moo-hyun cynically allowed the
xenophobic feelings of this ill-educated mob get him
elected. He blatantly used anti-American sentiment.
The United States will tolerate a lot but it will not tolerated
being made a patsy. How would Koreans feel if the
situation were reversed? I am sure the thought never
crossed anyone's mind. In the past, Korean presidents
have used anti-American and anti-Japanese demonstrations as diversions,
but never during elections. Korea
crossed the line.
Perhaps it comes as a surprise to Koreans that if
100,000 Korean people shout "USFK GO HOME!" every day
for a year America hears it. It is never a good idea
to antagonize your enemy, but it is even worse to
antagonize your friends. The United States guarantees Korea's
security and prosperity. No nation can be successful
without good relations with Washington. That is the
simple reality in our world.
There is no doubt in my mind that the 2nd Infantry Division is leaving Korea, and that it is punishment for Korea's actions last year. Foreign direct investment is
down 50 percent, investment from the States 72 percent.
Korea has asked for a
"more equal relationship with the USA." But letting screaming mobs decide Korean policy is not the
way to attain that. Korea must either find more mature
ways of dealing with grievances or be prepared for a
swift departure of U.S. investment and the USFK. I doubt
America will ever tolerate again what went on last
year, rightly or wrongly. This time the U.S. public is
more informed. Anti-Korean products boycotts, such as the one led by
myself in Michigan, have been very successful.
Do not wish too hard. You might get your wish.
Dan Roberts
April 9, 2003
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