While doing some research of a TCS Daily piece I hope to submit this week, I came across an interesting conference report on the election of Roh Moo-hyun as president in 2002.
The last part of the piece noted that Roh used anti-Americanism in his campaign but then “chose to dump it.” They then noted four distinct types of anti-Americanism among some elements of Korean society:
Anti-Americanism masks four different phenomena in the Republic of Korea. The first background type of general and unfocused anti-Americanism inclines Koreans to see what is valuable in their way of life under constant pressure from a dominant American-led western culture. This sense of “East-West polarity” with clear racial overtones and consequent “cultural victimization” mentality predisposes Koreans to sympathize with whoever opposes America in a dispute, regardless of the issue at hand.
The second “coming-of-age” type of sharper and more acute anti-Americanism is a reaction against perceived discrimination, a demand for parity and equality between Korea and the United States. It is rooted in a perception that the United States does not appreciate the progress the ROK has made and still wishes to treat Korea as an inferior client state. It is more “policy sensitive” than other types of anti-American sentiments.
The third type of “hope and disappointment” anti-Americanism stems from perceived inconsistencies between American ideals and American practices as related to the image of America in Korean eyes. Whenever Koreans’ very high (and often unrealistic) expectations of the United States were not met, the disappointment felt by Koreans whose faith in America was shattered, gave birth to anti-Americanism. This is a cumulative sentiment, which can be triggered by controversial policies or the behavior of U.S. representatives in Korea.
Finally, there is a breed of anti-American sentiment resulting from the South Korean public’s growing sense of solidarity with North Korea. When America is seen as taking a hard line toward North Korea, Washington’s actions are viewed with suspicion through the lenses of all other types of anti-Americanism. This form of anti-Americanism related to the ROK’s intensifying sense of common identity with North Korea poses the greatest potential challenge to the U.S.-ROK security alliance. It is likely to increase over time. The closer the North and South grow together, the more likely the South will display an anti-American sentiment from a sense of solidarity with the North. Although anti-Americanism does not pose a grave threat to U.S. interests at present, clearly, as time passes by, it will no longer be viable for the United States to think it can be friends with one half of Korea while remaining a mortal enemy with the other half, because of growing Korean national consciousness.
So which of the four kinds of anti-Americanism noted in the report are we going to see in the love fest going on in Gwangju right now?
You know the North Koreans will be ready to provide plenty of #1 if given the chance, and will have an sympathetic audience among some South Koreans. This being Gwangju, I also expect some of #3.
Here is a little of #4 before most of the events have even started:
The government is pouring some W1.4 billion (US $1.4 million) of the budget for inter-Korean cooperation into the celebrations. The Unification Ministry gave W2.28 billion for the celebration in Seoul last year and W1.24 billion for the football game held as part of the event. It paid another W659 million of the inter-Korean cooperation budget to support an event in Pyongyang in June last year.
There is criticism of such handouts in view of the fact that some participating groups are spreading what is seen as pro-Pyongyang propaganda, demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the peninsula.
About the only kind of anti-Americanism I do not expect to see this week in Gwangju is #2 (”coming of age”). It is hard to say that you have developed when your partner has been going backwards economically for two or three decades and is arguably the worst nation in the world.
BTW: Yes, I am an American and yes, it is always about us.
13 Comments
It’ll be mainly the first with a side dish of number 4. Number 3 will will not be evident unless a Canucki has written a crib sheet for someone to read from. Number 2 usually appears at anti-SOFA rallies.
Didn’t buy the break down much at all.
Two and three. One and four are just right winger hoped-fors so they can continue their policy of assuming their position of feeling “unjustly” put upon.
Right now, for many Koreans, it is safer to show some anti-American attitude. Rho administration intentionally punishes pro-American attitude. This overt persecution of pro-American population will continue till next election.
After Lee Myungbak becomes the president, there will be no more anti-Americanism in Korea. None. The country will do 180 degree turnaround in one day.
In less than 24 hours.
In small country like Korea, the president sets the tone for the country. Two years to take the government back from ridiculous former student activists.
All exist at the same time — hell, many among home-country commenters on this blog.
[quote]In small country like Korea, the president sets the tone for the country.[/quote]
The cognitive dissonance sets the tone.
“Finally, there is a breed of anti-American sentiment resulting from the South Korean public’s growing sense of solidarity with North Korea.”
I wouldn’t consider #4 as being anti-American. I consider it to be pro-Korea. I would attach myself to #4 but I am definitely not anti American. It stems from the principles of the love of freedom, independence, sovereignty and democracy.
Democracy requires that major decisions are made by the people involved. The situation in Korea is undemocratic that is US policy has a great deal of impact to the South and little impact to itself. Therefore the South Korean policy decision should rest on South Koreans. This means South Korea should take charge of every aspect of the relatioship with the north especially with regards to how South Korea would defend itself from the North as well as diplomatic relations with the North.
It is wrong to label category 4 as anti-American. It is a pro-Korean appraoch as Korea matures into an independent and sovereign nation it will necessarily have to shed off any dependence it has on other nation for its won security.
When Singapore first broke off from Malaysia, Malaysia tried to make Singapore into a client state by offering to “defend” Singapore in the even of an attack by stationing our police in Singapore. We even have our own police force offer security to their PM. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was smart enough to realize what Malaysia was up to and tasked the job of creating Singapore’s own military a high priority. Today, Singapore no longer kow tows to Malaysia, and our relationship despite Singapore’s small size is on quite equal footage. Lee Kuan Yew was not anti-Malaysian, he was simply pro-Singapore.
Make it a real bash, shoot for all 4 folks.
I can’t wait until Rho is booted out, what a pathetic loser — he reminds me of a less charismatic, Korean-version of snake-oil salesman Clinton. Hopefully his replacement will have some gumption to do what is right, no matter what public sentiment happens to be at the moment. Perhaps, South Korea needs a military man back in the Blue House… to get the unification process completed.
Nobody is fooled. North Korea has no interest in reunification now or anytime in the future without their lives being at risk. Who can blame them? The few that benefit from communism don’t want to give up their plush lifestyles, even though millions are starving to death. If there’s ever going to be a unified Korea it’ll be by force, make no mistake.
–Remort
question for BADUK:
did you live in Korea before president Rho? if so, was the mood more pro-American? Also, can you tell me how exactly the current administration “overtly punishes” pro-Americans, as you said? I am not disagreeing with you, I just would like more information. Thanks!
Obi
Yes, Koreans were decidedly pro-American before the Jolla Commie president, Kim DaeJung. Rho is just his lieutenant. These Jolla Commies got to go.
The recent election clearly shows Korean people will not tolerate these Jolla Commies any more. The 6-15 “celebration” going on right now angers Korean people even more. The Uri party is falling further away from people’s favor. Like early Clinton years, these jerks think people want to hear more about Unification. Well, they overdid snake-oil selling and people are tired. As long as KJI is alive, there will be no Unification.
The president apoints all the government agency heads. He selected former student activists who are throughly pro-North and anti-American. These “heads” will fire any employee under them who makes anti-NK comments. Or, any who shows any pro-American attitudes. If you talk to any working for the government, he will tell you some horror stories. How the so and so got fired, because they showed pro-American attitude.
This overt persecution will end in one day when new pro-American administration comes. New president will get rid of these garbages from the government and replace them with people who represent honest and smart Koreans. No Jolla Commies.
Even in military. Right now, all upper ranking members are Jolla Commies or generals working with Jolla Commies. New president will replace these garbages with real soldiers.
I would attach myself to #4…. It stems from the principles of the love of freedom, independence, sovereignty and democracy.
Are you serious? anyone who loves democracy and freedom would stand in polar opposition to North Korea, as I do.
Baduk, you gotta be kinding. I’ve been here for all administrations since Noh Tae-Woo, and the anti-Americanism has always been palpable. The only difference of the current administration is that it has been much more overt in its differences with the US. Friends of mine who were here prior to the ‘86 Asian Games set ‘86 as the year of the change in mindset, and it really began to boil at the ‘88 Olympics. The only time the facade of friendliness & civility appeared was during the IMF crisis.
“Are you serious? anyone who loves democracy and freedom would stand in polar opposition to North Korea, as I do.”
Why should anyone who loves democracy and freedom stand in opposition to the North? They should be APATHETIC. Why should it bother me if someone else wants to praise Kim Jong Il as the next Jesus Christ? Its his problem, not mine.