The Violence Continues

It sounds like the protests are actually being reported internationally now. Which, in a way, is nice to hear. I wasn’t sure anyone back home would ever really believe our stories about the violent outbreaks in the streets of Seoul.

The protests are actually occurring in the nicer part of Seoul. An area where we spent a fair bit of time in during our first few months over here (The Anglican church we sometimes attend is actually just a block or two down the road). I’ve thought about going a few times to take some photos. I’m not sure if this is a great idea…

I’m curious as to how the protests are affecting tourism. I read that Seoul had launched a campaign to try and attract visitors to the Beijing Olympics either on their way to China or on their way back from China. With the protests occurring in front of the country’s most popular Palace and down the street from two others, they can’t be helping. I’m glad my parents came when they did. If they had come in May or June we might have had to skip visiting the historic (and in my opinion the most interesting) part of Seoul.

It seems that misinformation what has caused most of the problems. I’ve read things in the newspapers that seemed to have no basis in fact and yet it was presented as if it was definitive. I’ve read things ranging from “Koreans are much more susceptible to Mad Cow Disease than Americans” to “Americans don’t eat American beef. They export their beef to other countries and import all the beef they eat from Venezuela.”

I read last week that the President (who was elected last December and took office in February) has an approval rating of under 10%. Korean Presidents are limited to 1 five year term. I can’t imagine how little he’ll ever get anything done over his next 4 ¾ years.

With the Beef deal renegotiated last week, it’s hard to argue that the riots aren’t simply pure Anti-Americanism. Korea definitely hasn’t been our favourite place, but it kind of sinks to a new low when there are open protests against your country on a daily basis for over two months. Especially when they escalate to the levels they have these past few weeks. Every Monday I come into work and read in the newspaper about the hundred or so people injured in the protests. There’s usually a video or two that I can watch as well. It’s hard to believe that these actions are taking place in a city and area we’ve frequently visited.

Interesting Statistics
I’ve read some interesting stats in the newspaper the last few weeks. It’s helped me understand the country and how and why the people here haven’t always treated us the best. I think some of you might find the following statistics to be interesting:

Middle School Students
“In the latest poll, 57.1 percent of the secondary school students cited the U.S. or Japan as countries that threaten our national security most. Only 24.5 percent named North Korea. Despite the fact that 54,000-odd Americans were killed in the Korean War, young people are as hostile to the U.S. as they are to North Korea.”

High School Students
“About 14 percent picked Japan as the nation responsible for the Korean war; 13.4 percent, the United States, and 11 percent Russia.”

“28 percent said the United States was the key ``threat'' for national security, 4 percentage points higher than North Korea.”

Military Academy Students
“It is no coincidence that when Korea Military Academy freshmen were asked in 2004 which country their nation’s main enemy is, 34 percent named America and 33 percent North Korea.”