Where are all the anti-FTA protesters now? [Chosun Ilbo, English, HT to Wedge]
-
English Books on Korea... and More!
-
Visit My Brother's Film Review Site
They must be tired
This entry was written by Robert Koehler, posted on May 9, 2007 at 3:06 pm, filed under Asides, ROK-US Issues. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
29 Comments
Well, anti-Americanism in Korea is a “self-licking ice cream cone,” as we all know. There have been a couple of statements from the umbrella labor organizations but nothing like the hysteria against Korea’s main export destination (until recently).
It’s as quiet as a Korean World Cup game after the opposition has scored the first goal.
“Why are they so quiet this time? They were noisy when trade talks with the U.S. were going on.” Many people must have the same question. Did they in fact just oppose a trade pact with the U.S. due to anti-American sentiment?”
I’ve been saying this for months, why are they so quiet? KOR-US FTA= murder, suicide, hunger strikes, violence, etc…
Kor-Anyone else FTA= pure silence.
Just Korea’s way of saying “America, We love you!”
I think its time for the Euros to send troops to defend this country if they’re such great pals. Why shoud the U.S. be responsible for keeping this place safe for chocolate, cognac and limburger exports?
I didn’t see Global Warmism on the list, so how accurate could it be?
Oops, that last was supposed to be on the Juche thread. Sorry.
I guess they’re please to witness that free exchange of individuals between Korea and the States has resulted in 32 deaths on the US side.
China is now Korea’s main export destination, btw. That said, if Korea’s farmers really want something to protest about, let them look at the agriculture subsadies the EU gives!
The so called “umbrella organisations” take their orders from Pyongyang. That is why they are not protesting about the EU FTA. The Dear Leader could care less.
Some remarks:
- EU is the biggest foreign investing block in Korea (over 40%)
- EU’s subsidies are being reduced, albeit in a slow tempo
Lets face it, the EU does not really pose a threat to any of the key sectors the ROK-US FTA did. Do they make cars for export or grow rice in Europe? No.
Yeah, let’s face it. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo…all made where now?
“Do they…grow rice in Europe?”
Yes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arborio_rice
I don’t think anti americanism is the answer. It’s about farming. EU is very protectionist against farm imports, so Korean farmers (the biggest obsticles to FTA with the US) feel safe that they don’t have to open up to EU farm goods. Plus, EU does not insist on Koreans opening up hyper sensitive industries like pop culture industry, like the US does. Also, there are reports that the EU will count South Korean products made in North Korea’s Kaesong complex, as South Korean products. All in all, EU and South Korea are probably more on the same eye level, then US and South Korea is.
CM, it was very much anti-Americanism, if you saw the protests they were led by the same characters who come out against anything related to the U.S. I think you’re right about farming and pop culture but the EU will want access to the financial sector just as the U.S. did, and might be less willing to cut auto tariffs to protect its industry.
Yeah, I guess I was generalizing, however, European sectors are not as threatening as the US ones. We are not talking about mass imports/exports of BMW, Mercedes and Minis to Korea. The ROK and European economies are more complimentary and they have less controverisal areas to work through, thus less of a threat to these key sectors. This should allow for an earier FTA.
Here’s an overview of the FTA by a guy from a Korean think tank:
http://www.de.unito.it/web/mem.....op-Kim.pdf
Turns out there was a protest against the EU FTA on May 7th, not as severe as the protests against the U.S.
http://www.bilaterals.org/rubr.....brique=166
Some protestors just lie in wait for issues to come up to protest. It’s a lifestyle.
I found them! Over 5000 of them are in the last paragraph of this story from the Joogang Ilbo.
http://joongangdaily.joins.com.....id=2875384
Oh, those 5000+ protesters were still “making a difference” for the US-Korea FTA, not the EU-Korea FTA. What was the question again?
#12 ah Michael, but it’s origin is Japan!
Botanically speaking, Arborio is a cultivar of the japonica subspecies of Oryza sativa.
Railway, I didn’t know that….
Best laid plans of rice and men.
” there are reports that the EU will count South Korean products made in North Korea’s Kaesong complex, as South Korean products.”
I’m disappointed to hear that. Europeans seem a bit over-generous.
“CM, it was very much anti-Americanism,”
I have to disagree on this. Sure, there were opportunist anti american groups taking the opportunity to mingle. BUT*** that was not the nature of the protests. Look at what happened with FTA with Chili. It was a bloody affair done in by the farmer groups. It came down to the last minute and it almost did not pass the parliament. Were they anti-chiliean too? Of course then you can say there were anti-foreigners, but then how do you explain the passive nature of the FTA protests against the EU?
There’s no doubt that anti-American activists and opportunists were (are) milking the KORUS FTA for what its worth (like they did with the death of two girls way back in 2002). But the original/majority concern was that of the rice farmers. Considering the extensive use of rice in Korean cuisine (basically, 99.9% of the meal) and the incredible price differences between locally produced rice and rice from California (not to mention the difference in quality), KORUS FTA that opens the market for rice would have literally killed off almost all agricultural activities in South Korea.
I personally would have been for KORUS FTA from the beginning if it excluded rice. And since it ended up excluding rice, yay FTA.
CM, despite the flag next to my comments (proxy) I’ve lived in Korea for years and recognized the usual suspects who lead anti-U.S. protests. The breadth of the protests and inclusion of so many groups that had no stake in the matter showed it was the typical, knee-jerk anti-Americanism in play.
That was really entertaining, thanks NetizenKim.
Aieesh!
These models already outsell American cars in Korea. Nowadays, I literally can’t go a day without seeing at least a few of each of the models you mention.