Yeoksi, Hankyoreh…

by Robert Koehler on June 27, 2007

in Asides, ROK-US Issues

If it involves a GI, no incident is apparently too small for the Hankyoreh.

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GI "Brushes"Off Ajumma at ROK Drop: June 28, 2007 at 8:13 pm

{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Brendon Carr June 27, 2007 at 5:54 pm: For those who don’t read Korean, a USFK POV brushed the woman’s arm as it came by, and instead of the driver popping out to kiss this woman’s ring and allow her the opportunity to wail and remonstrate (and make a fraudulent insurance claim), the driver merely looked back to make sure she was not injured, said “Sorry!” (apparently with a Canadian accent, hmmm…) and drove off. A major international incident, to be sure.
2 mjw June 27, 2007 at 5:59 pm: yeah… and having been “brushed” and worse by korean drivers (I drive here) i can say that rolling down the window to say sorry is much more care and attention than she might have gotten from her own kind.

by the way, if we complain about the fucking hankyoreh, will that run us afoul of the national election commission?
3 seouldout June 27, 2007 at 7:34 pm: How do we know it wasn’t the woman’s arm that brushed the car?

Anyway, you never look back. Just raise your hand, which may appear to mean “excuse me” but really means “screw you.” And accelerate.
4 Wedge June 27, 2007 at 8:25 pm: Time to light those candles in front of the embassy!
5 slim June 27, 2007 at 8:41 pm: Remember that the prime directive of Korean newspapers is not the factual reporting that it is — or is supposed to be — in most Western countries. Korean dailies — especially but not only the Hanky — foremost carry the torch (or is it a candle?) of minjok pride. That’s why they all suck (yet are a fecund source of blogging material). Think of all the incidents, accidents or business disputes over the years that would have been minor issues long forgotten had they been reported accurately or with a modicum of professionalism.
6 hoju_saram June 27, 2007 at 9:28 pm: Odd. French Quarter assured me that there is no longer any anti-U.S. sentiment in South Korea.
7 hoidylovesnewts June 27, 2007 at 9:37 pm: Is she a professional boxer or was she born like that?
8 SomeguyinKorea June 27, 2007 at 9:38 pm: mjw, same here. All the advanced driving courses I took while serving in the armed forces could not protect me from the number of bad drivers and pedestrians oblivious to the fact that there are cars in the road that I’ve encountered here. I’ve also seen pedestrians hit by cars before my eyes. Heck, I’ve had my elbow ‘brushed’ by the windshield of another driver’s car (you know the type of driver: uses the horn instead of the breaks).
9 The Western Confucian June 27, 2007 at 10:05 pm: Here’s the story in English:

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti.....18697.html
10 Wedge June 28, 2007 at 12:07 am: Thanks, Confucian. So, being an American soldier means never having to say you’re sorry? Oh, wait, he said he was sorry.

You have to like this product of years of SOFA-related propaganda in the Korean media: “At first, I was not certain that the matter could be resolved because of his being an American soldier.”

And then when she does track the guy down he apologizes and sports W67,500 in “medical expenses.” Slow news day at the Hanky?
11 French Quarter June 28, 2007 at 1:06 am: hoju_saram,

Where did I say there is no longer “any” anti-U.S. sentiment in South Korea?
12 a-letheia June 28, 2007 at 3:05 am: This guy’s biggest mistake was saying, “Sorry” in the first place. Rule #1: NEVER do that in Korea.
13 a-letheia June 28, 2007 at 3:09 am: #12 was meant as an addendum to Seouldout’s very wise advice in #3.
14 pawikirogi June 28, 2007 at 4:53 am: this is clearly a hit and run and thus, a violation of the law. the korean news is right to report it. as for the quality of said news, we all know that your esteem for such will increase based on it’s negativity towards koreans.

the fair-minded here should take note. consistancy is hard act to follow, no?
15 slim June 28, 2007 at 5:08 am: It’s very easy to be consistent for you pawi because you’re always wrong. And you know there is no such thing as negative coverage of Korea in Korea. You would stop reading if there was.
16 Netizen Kim June 28, 2007 at 5:49 am: No one ever said running an Empire was ever easy…
17 Iceberg June 28, 2007 at 6:43 am: The best thing to do when you’re walking in a place where a car might brush up against you (say, for example, on the sidewalk) is to carry your keys in your hand, with one key protruding between clenched fingers.
18 Breaktrack June 28, 2007 at 6:50 am: When the tables are turned, people like pawikigori sing a different tune don’t they? Of course, they change their attitudes when you mention them being conscripted into the Korean military too. They always do.
19 Sonagi June 28, 2007 at 6:57 am: Pawi,

Could you find for us some examples of stories detailing similar “hit and run” violations involving Korean drivers and pedestrians who did not sustain serious injuries? Since 99% of drivers on Korean roads are Korean, that shouldn’t be too hard to do. Thanks.
20 seouldout June 28, 2007 at 7:20 am: Is the victim a dwarf? The vehicle hit her shoulder? If she isn’t a dwarf and it is the shoulder then it strikes me she walked into the car. A car that was already passing her because the shoulder wouldn’t hit the hood, now would it?
21 Linkd June 28, 2007 at 8:42 am: Does anyone know what bizarre logic it is that causes the Hanki to support Kaesong as a model of inter-Korean harmony? I would have thought Hankyeoreh would be at the forefront of demanding its closure. (referring to the flash ad to the right of every article on Hanki’s website)
22 dogbertt June 28, 2007 at 8:44 am: this is clearly a hit and run and thus, a violation of the law. the korean news is right to report it.

Back to the real world…

Last week, the mother of a co-worker of mine (both Korean citizens) was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking. Fortunately, a cab driver chased down the hit-and-run driver and the police are now investigating.

What do you suppose the chances are that I’ll read about this incident in a Korean newspaper? Slim, or none?
23 cmm June 28, 2007 at 9:08 am: On Monday night a drunken ajeossi attacked me by, among other things, throwing a brick at and hitting me. Rather than apologizing, he continued his profane tirade. His reason was that he was angry at the gall that I (white skin and all) had been displaying at the time by having in my company a Korean lady (a platonic friend for years…so we weren’t dry-humping in the street or anything).

Hey Pawi, do you think the Korean press would report that one had I tracked the guy down for hours and wrote him an ignorant letter and involved the cops? How about an English version of such an article? I guess you are right, consistEncy is difficult.

Anyway, I’ve been in K-land for about 2 years and that’s the first time and probably last time for anything like that. So, I don’t, and hope others don’t, judge Koreans or drunken ajeossis by this incident. Generally drunken ajeossis are entertaining. My point is simply that foreigners, particularly U.S. soldiers and Englishy teachers, get disproportionate, undue, and inflated bad press.
24 globalvillageidiot June 28, 2007 at 9:10 am: “Thanks, Confucian. So, being an American soldier means never having to say you’re sorry? Oh, wait, he said he was sorry.”

Yeah, well most of my students – not to mention a few people who post here – like claim – contrary to fact – that a certain country across the East Sea hasn’t apologized for historical wrongs committed against Korea, so this apology that was not accepted as such shouldn’t be too surprising.
25 The Goat June 28, 2007 at 9:21 am: Funny. While walking to a subway station yesterday I got clipped by the mirrors of a car. The woman driver stopped (due to the loud sound) but soon continued on her merry way.

According to Pawi, this is news and I should have gone to the:
a) doctors office
b) police
c) media

Will keep that in mind for next time
26 michael June 28, 2007 at 9:55 am: Think about it–the Hankie actually went to the trouble of having this nonsense translated into English and posted on their site. It’s such a trivial non-story that the actual story, the anti-American sentiments of the Hankie, come screaming out: “she is hoping to send the message that he cannot receive special treatment in South Korea just because he is a U.S. soldier.” Really? Is she sending “the message” here or is the Hankie?

“Kang and said she had not previously taken an interest in social issues.” Since when does getting your shoulder (?) brushed by a passing car become a “social issue”? Ah yes, when it involves the U.S., indirectly, through the sheer coincidence of the driver’s nationality.

Like everyone is pointing out and I have also experienced, Koreans can be some of the stupidest, most selfish and reckless drivers on the planet, and a simple wave of their hand as they speed off from running through a red light and over your foot (as has happened to me) absolves them of all responsibility.

“South Korea has one of the highest rates of traffic death in the world.” (British Embassy site)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/.....3618386919

“The rate of traffic death is very high.” (Canadian travel site)
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/r.....try=153000

“The Republic of Korea’s roads are well paved, traffic lights are functional, and most drivers comply with basic traffic laws. However, the Republic of Korea has a significantly higher traffic fatality rate than does the United States.” (U.S. gov’t site)
http://travel.state.gov/travel....._1018.html

And so on, and so on….
27 mateomiguel June 28, 2007 at 10:19 am: ‘‘I was confused because he was an American serviceman and, moreover, I wasn’t hurt seriously. At first, I thought that he was not a bad man. However, the current situation – in which a person who committed wrong thinks he can get away as if nothing has happened – is wrong,’’ said Kang.

So at first she thought there was no problem, and she wasn’t hurt. But then, something changed her mind. I’d love to find out what it was. Her brother’s friend’s hairdresser who dates a reporter for the Hankyoreh?
28 seouldout June 28, 2007 at 10:30 am: Comply with basic traffic laws? Where? When? Or does the “basic traffic law” state one must disregard anything that interferes with getting from A to B by any means possible?
29 ecorn June 28, 2007 at 10:36 am: I love it. What a beautiful double standard.

In my first year in Korea I was hit (lightly) by a delivery truck. I guess the driver turned without looking. He didn’t stop and I was pissed, so I kicked the van, which did get him to stop. Did he apologize? Nope. Instead he took a swing at me. Ajoshis in a nearby park watched the scene laughing all the while.

You can read all about my incident in absolutely no newspapers at all.

If only it had happened in Washington DC and the driver had a satisfaction guaranteed sign posted on his van.
30 gbnhj June 28, 2007 at 11:03 am: This woman speaks of the need for people to have ‘a high sense of honor’, but perhaps she should consider the moral confusion attendant in her hospital visit.

For example, how did she end up with KRW67,500 in medical expenses, when out-patient treatment typically costs KRW4,000-15,000? I live in the same neighborhood as she, and use the western- and Korean-style medical faclities here (and have done so elsewhere in the city), and I’ve never run up a bill as high as that. Include prescribed meds and the bill might rise another KRW5,000-15,000, but still does not reach the final charge that she claimed.

I can only guess that she had an x-ray taken. If so, you have to wonder who suggested it – the doctor or the patient – and what their reasoning was for that. You also have to wonder what the doctor’s prognosis was, and if he felt that this visit really necessitated the investigative procedures and treatment which resulted in a medical charge several times higher than typical.

I don’t see much honor in the apparant padding of Kang’s medical bill in order to bolster a claim made to the police. Do you think the Hanky will write a piece about that?
31 cmm June 28, 2007 at 11:14 am: Face it, if she was actually hurt, she wouldn’t have spent the first two hours after getting bumped searching his parking lot for his car with her poor kid in tow. She would have gone to the hospital. The broad was hoping for a cash settlement.
32 snow June 28, 2007 at 12:31 pm: She’s just a con artist looking for some cash and a little attention.
33 estebanko June 28, 2007 at 1:18 pm: That’s a dude
34 Brendon Carr June 28, 2007 at 1:32 pm: [H]ow did she end up with KRW67,500 in medical expenses, when out-patient treatment typically costs KRW4,000-15,000? I live in the same neighborhood as she, and use the western- and Korean-style medical faclities here (and have done so elsewhere in the city), and I’ve never run up a bill as high as that. Include prescribed meds and the bill might rise another KRW5,000-15,000, but still does not reach the final charge that she claimed.

I want to use your clinic. I use the Samsung Kangbuk Hospital near my home (a five-minute walk) and it’s usually about W70,000 each time I see a doctor.
35 slim June 28, 2007 at 2:49 pm: Sorry Pawi, as a reflexive apologist/sophist for Korea in all its glory, you’re fired!
36 michael June 28, 2007 at 3:05 pm: Maybe if he actually lived in Korea he wouldn’t be so quick with the sophistry…nah, he still would be.
37 seoulmilk June 28, 2007 at 4:27 pm: not really on topic, but did you guys see this link?

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/a.....mp;sid=WOR

while it talks about how the world views the top nation’s leaders in a negative light (and america), there is a line mentioning how the view of america in korea has dramatically improved.
38 gbnhj June 28, 2007 at 5:15 pm: Re #34 above:

Actually, I considered that she might have gone to SMC or KUMC, but then I thought she couldn’t have, for the reason you mention: price. I’ve been to both places (SMC for a complete physical, and KUMC for an infection), and both seemed likely to run higher than the bill she came up with. Plus, they’re pretty far to go; non-Koreans might want to go due to the level of care and the relative ease of comunication (or, as in Brendon’s case, the convenience of location), but the fasr greater likelihood is that she went to a (for her) more conveniently located hospital or 한의원.

GeumGang Asan Hospital is located Ichon-Dong, and they’re pretty good for basic medical needs. Like most other hospitals that I’ve used throughout Korea, they have a sort of ‘we’re all in this together’ approach to medicine, so that patients are often treated in semi-private areas. Also, if you have a medical problem requiring in-patient care, you’ll be thrown into a room with the nattering nabobs of the nonjang, so I wouldn’t recommend them for that. But they’re competent, have English-speaking medical-staff, and have been quite friendly to me when I’ve used their services. Cost-wise, it’s hard to say how much you’ll pay, but for things like innoculations and treatment for minor medical problems, my bill rarely rises over 25,000, all up.

There are many clinics in the area, and the HanGang Shopping Center is a major center for them. Staff in these clinics likewise speak English (not the ajumma needed that), are very compitent, and are quite friendly. Prices are even lower: I’ve gone to clinics there for allergy-related problems and basic mendical treatment, and with my national insurance card, it’s only been 4,00-5,000 per visit! Whenever I go, the place is always filled with Korean-American familes, which suggests to me that I’ve come to the right place for factors such as quality care and affordability.

Anyway, I really recommend the medical services in this community. The service and quality are good. And, though I’ve never seen any medical specialists here in order to treat wounded pride, you generally shouldn’t end up with a medical bill as large as Ms. Kang’s.
39 gbnhj June 28, 2007 at 5:25 pm: Sorry for the typos – during the World Cup period, I was struck with a flagpole during the Korea-US match (true story) – no apology given, of course – and I’ve suffered terrible typing ever since.

(Well, I might have had typing problems before that, due to mild dyslexia. I suppose I should have simply seen Ms. Kang’s doctor, gotten the requisite bill, and gone after those flag-bearing bastards even so.)
40 Linkd June 28, 2007 at 5:57 pm: That’s good info, gbnhj. You should put it onto the next open thread.
41 Sonagi June 28, 2007 at 8:39 pm: Still waiting for those links, Pawi. If bumping somebody with your car and racking up a W67,000 medical bill is newsworthy, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding stories involving Korean drivers. Media links are on the left.
42 Sonagi June 28, 2007 at 8:40 pm: Oops, media links are on the right —>.