U.S. Troops in South Korea Encounter Increased Hostility

[cstaylor]

U.S. Troops in South Korea Encounter Increased Hostility

To Colonel Boylan, the deepest cut of all came from two Korean children. "I was going to a function in dress uniform when I came across two kids, about 8 or 10 years old," he recalled. "They were laughing, smiling. Then they saw me. They stopped in their tracks and glared at me. Then they cussed at me — in English"

I believe the time has come for the U.S. to reevaluate its position in Korea:

With the harassment of American soldiers fostering a fledgling "Boycott Korea" movement in the United States, some people here speculate that the day will come when panicked South Koreans will punch 911 on their ubiquitous cellphones and the only American military response will come from the air.

Or even better... not at all. Koreans look pretty good wearing those Fat Kim pins.

[cstaylor]

Two Koreas join hands to protest U.S. military presence

Until a few years ago, any South Korean interacting with a Chongryun member was in danger of being interrogated upon his return to Seoul.

But for two short days, political incompatibility melted away for Koreans in Japan, as they fended off the cold on what they believed was a ``fight for the Korean race.'

Kim Young Hee, a Korean resident in his 40s who attended with his daughter and wife, says, ``I am less anti-American or anti-Pyongyang than I am pro-Korea.''

Better practice crying for the camera (anyone else see those brainwashing films of little kids crying because they love the Fat One?), because I'm sure they've placed an order for several million new Fat Bastard pins.

[GuyJean]

Better practice crying for the camera (anyone else see those brainwashing films of little kids crying because they love the Fat One?), because I'm sure they've placed an order for several million new Fat Bastard pins.

Yeah! Fuck those Fat Bastard lovers!

If SK wants to melt into a cespool of shit, let em'! It'll boost Japan's status in the region :P

GJ

[Andocrates]

The tendency is too say "Screw em" pull our troops out and let's see what happened. N. Korea would invade in a matter of months, the lure of the wealth S. Korea has amassed under free-trade and democracy must look quite appealing. However, this isn't 1950 and I have the feeling S. Korea would kick their ass big time.

Still, in the end nothing will change. People will continue to hate America just because, while America will continue to protect them anyway.

[Blah Pete]

I read somewhere that movie theaters quit showing the new Bond movie because it they didn't like the way it portrayed NK.

Korea used to be the most anti-communist country in the world.

[ramchop]

the lure of the wealth S. Korea has amassed under free-trade and democracy must look quite appealing.

Interesting that you equate free-trade and democracy with prosperity. There are quite a number of poor democracies, and also a few rich dictatorships.

Also, America tends to only give free-trade agreements to those who kiss arse the best (watch Australia pucker up). Though it's very good at criticising others who try to protect their own back yard.

[GuyJean]

the lure of the wealth S. Korea has amassed under free-trade and democracy must look quite appealing.

Yeah, I'm not sure money and capitalism is all that appealing to most of the Northern droids.. I think it's the South that's salivating over the prospect of slave.. (er, ok).. 'cheap' labor if Korea is reunited.

There are quite a number of poor democracies, and also a few rich dictatorships.

True. A lot of this has to do with the country's natural resources. Remember that oil = money no matter what kind of government the country has.

Also, America tends to only give free-trade agreements to those who kiss arse the best (watch Australia pucker up).

Chuu, mate!

Though it's very good at criticising others who try to protect their own back yard.

So NK is protecting it's own backyard by kidnapping people, shooting missiles over Japan, and selling speed to the Yaks?.. And it's not even good speed!

GJ

[ramchop]

Though it's very good at criticising others who try to protect their own back yard.

So NK is protecting it's own backyard by kidnapping people, shooting missiles over Japan, and selling speed to the Yaks?.. And it's not even good speed!

GJ

Sorry, off on a tangent... I wasn't referring to the NK issue.

"the US regarded New Zealand's dairy and sheep meat industries as a threat, and Australia's sugar, rice and motor vehicle industries would make a deal between Australia and the US "very difficult"."

...but being in Japan I'm constantly reading about US criticism of Japan's protectionist ways. Maybe it's all anti-US propaganda.

[GuyJean]

It`s more that the people living under him are their friends and family. They want to be reunited peacefully.

I think you're right, actually.. But I've also heard that the South Korean people, in general, have a superiority complex with the people of the North. Does anyone know about this? Like, "we want to be united, as long as they stay up there."... I read it somewhere, but it could be bullshit.

Bush, with his `evil axis` comments, makes the situation worse by backing NK into a corner.

I think backing them into a corner was his objective.. IMO, Bush has dropped the ball a couple times.. But he's only human. And not really a bright one..

And to make things worse, two Korean girls were run over by a US Army vehicle.

Yeah. That's really F*cked up.. It reminds me of the Ehime Maru debacle.. Letting Joe Idiot surface a nuclear submarine! How idiotic was THAT!!

GJ

[cstaylor]

Also, America tends to only give free-trade agreements to those who kiss arse the best (watch Australia pucker up)

China? Kiss ass to the U.S.? Please...

[ramchop]

Also, America tends to only give free-trade agreements to those who kiss arse the best (watch Australia pucker up)

China? Kiss ass to the U.S.? Please...

Good point, care to explain it?

Could it be that if you have nukes, you've got a good chance of being treated more favourably than one of America's staunchist supporters (Australia)?

[cstaylor]

Also, America tends to only give free-trade agreements to those who kiss arse the best (watch Australia pucker up)

China? Kiss ass to the U.S.? Please...

Good point, care to explain it?

Could it be that if you have nukes, you've got a good chance of being treated more favourably than one of America's staunchist supporters (Australia)?

China has (unlike true democracies like India) MFN trade status with the U.S. because it is a country of cheap labor and has very few "pesky" labor laws.

Chinese nukes (as far as information disclosed to the public) are not capable of accurately hitting the U.S. (other than Hawaii).

[ramchop]

[China has (unlike true democracies like India) MFN trade status with the U.S. because it is a country of cheap labor and has very few "pesky" labor laws.

India isn't a country of cheap labor with very few "pesky" labor laws???

I think it's more a case of if you're big enough to be of concern to the US economy then America is keen to deal with you, otherwise prepare for a long political battle.

Much smaller nations simply don't matter. Is it that the only difference between the trade barriers America faces with Japan compared to those America throws up at the minnows is merely a matter of scale?