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During the era of democracy protests in the 1980s, scenes of university students clashing with riot police on the main streets of Seoul were part of everyday life. And in 2002, rallies condemning U.S. forces in Korea for the death of two schoolgirls who were killed by a U.S armored vehicle were also led by students. But in recent candlelight rallies against the agreement on the liberalization of U.S. beef imports, university students have been conspicuous by their absence. What is going on?
On May 7, college student bodies did officially voice opposition to renewed beef imports at a press conference, their first reaction since the government made the decision and many Koreans started taking to the streets. Held at Yonsei University, the event drew only 16 students, including nine participants and organizers. Other students passed by and just looked in without stopping to watch.
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Students study for a midterm test at a library at Seoul National University.
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Analysts attribute college students¡¯ indifference to their antipathy to ideological issues. A Sungkyunkwan University student said, ¡°I went to a candlelight vigil protesting U.S. beef imports near the Cheonggye Stream on May 2. But then I thought the protest took on political features and decided not to take part any more.¡±
College students also tend to base their opinions on issues like the threat of mad cow disease to some degree on accurate information and are more rational than the middle and high school students who were easily swayed by groundless rumors about the dangers of U.S. beef. Mad cow disease-related theses are posted on the homepages of universities, inviting college students to debates on the issue.
In addition, college students tend to be so preoccupied with getting a job after graduation that they have no time for politics and protests. The recent rallies, moreover, took place when college students were busy taking mid-term exams and could not afford to pay attention to social issues.
A Seoul National University student said, ¡°We experienced the 1998 financial crisis in our teens. In our 20s, we must try to survive stiff competition to land a job after graduation. In the past, college students used to voice opinions about social and political issues and form a movement. But for us, building career is more important than anything else. We don¡¯t have time to spend on protests.¡±
However, college students are interested in the safety of food they eat. Recently, universities have had a headache since many students asked them not to use U.S. beef for meals served at school cafeterias, forcing them to put up notices saying they use only Australian or domestic beef.
A Yonsei University student said, ¡°I just want to stay away from a politically-tainted dispute. I am genuinely interested in issues related to my health and safety.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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