The past few months have been lethargic for me. I just cannot find the energy to give a damn about things. Even personally I am loath these days to hold an opinion with every media outlet in every country asking me to pick a side on everything. However fellow guest writer Mins0306’s thoughtful and reasoned perspective kicked me out of my funk temporarily.
At its center of any relationship, in this case a trade relationship, is trust. The people trading trust in the goods and the method of transaction. When bad things happen, they trust that it did not happen from ill will or gross negligence. A level of trust also marks relationships, including trade. The deeper your relationship the more trust you expect between each other. Korea has taken an interesting step over the past few years, trying to forge a deeper trade relationship with the US. Both are now trying to shape an economic relationship that would be deeper than anything the US has in Asia, and anything Korea has in size and scope.
Yet the protests over 30-month beef signify one thing, Korea does not trust the US. They do not trust the US assertion of safety. They do not trust the science. They do not trust the statistics and probability. Now lets be honest about these things, belief in the objective science and math in this area is firm by all sides. That leaves one reason to question the proposition, doubt in the US assertion.
Now if you are trying to form a stronger relationship with another trade partner, the natural reaction to an implicit statement we do not trust cannot be rational reasoned as contained. Such a statement obviously will affect the rest of the relationship, in this case the FTA. Thus the Korean assertion that the two matters are separate is facile at best, and insulting at worse. So such only aggravates the US ability to trust Korea in other areas.
The US position is, likely, import it and let consumers decide. If consumers really do not trust the safety of US beef, they will vote with their pocketbooks. The Korean response to this is additionally puzzling considering the rhetoric. Every Korean I have talked to about this proposition is “stores and restaurants will likely buy and mislabel US beef because its cheaper”. Fair point, but the fault for such lies not at the feet of the US beef industry, but those defrauding consumers in Korea. If this is the worry, why not protest the weak enforcement of commercial fraud?
Alas, this is not to be. So lets look at this whole thing from the US side. Korea is scapegoat the US for the problems of its domestic industry. More troublingly, Korea is scapegoating the US, who means no harm, in favor of domestic crooks. And saying that such a situation should not be taken seriously (i.e. be “culturally understood”) or effect US-Korea relations is a difficult proposition to swallow.
While the beef issue is substantive, the major argument given is a protest of President Lee MB. It is this argument I am most sympathetic to, yet I find some troubling holes that reminds me of the scapegoating above. Again, its difficult for me to accept the assertion it has nothing to do with beef or the US.
First, I find the assertion that they are protesting the policies (plural) of MB a little silly. MB has been in office all of six months, and these protests that supposedly are to protest his policies started, in way, a couple months ago. I ask you, what policies could MB fully implement in that time, let alone see the effects of? And what happened a couple months ago? It was MB’s agreement to expand the US’s beef trade. So saying this protest has nothing to do with MB’s beef decision, while the timing is suspect and people carry lurid cartoons of US cows, is ludicrous.
That leaves the argument against MB is his style of leadership, the “bulldozer” view of the people so to speak. Now this is one of the best reasons mentioned so far, and I would be much more sympathetic to it if it was the substantive issue for the protesters. I could point out that this is essentially a Korean constitutional problem they are protesting (the lack of a check on the presidency, or an inordinate amount of power in the Korean presidency), but this is more an aside.
What troubles me about this seemingly good argument, is what the endgame would be if the protesters got what they wanted. I find it very, very, very difficult to believe that the protests would stop if MB’s successor would keep the beef deal as-is. Even the former touch-feely-people-president Noh had problems with beef protesters with the limited deal he had with the US. So really the real beef of the protest is the beef, not the demand for MB head on a platter (now if the goal was a change to the Korean constitution, I would be much more amenable to the whole thing).
That brings us to the more troubling sum of these parts. We have hundreds of thousands in candlelight vigils, while toting lurid cartoons of American cows and people. We have a clear signal from the same that “We do not trust you!”. We have the protection of domestic crooks at the expense of foreigners acting in good faith. We have paper thin cover of a protest against a president and his polices, not the more obvious objection of US trade. Now explain to me why the US should consider a deeper relationship with Korea?
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No.
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My answer to a rhetorical question.
lol
The US needs a new partner like China.
I don’t think there will be another Cold War between the US and China.
The latest gossip amongst Koreans is the curious agent provocateurs infiltrating the rabble of demonstrators. Koreans are asking why these government agents are inciting radical bad behavior amongst the protestors. To make the protestors look bad? To help justify a draconian crack down?
Some suspect it’s a government attempt to foment a stronger Asian identity against the West. It’s a government jiu-jitsu move to throw Koreans into a pre-conceived plan.
The supposed game plan is to foster a strong inter-regional identity. To create a future market state — a Pacific Trading bloc — competing against the European Union, and North American Union. The FTA with America is not seriously intended by Korea, nor America. What is intended is the creation of a Pacific region market state. This will require stronger government policing through private security firms, more agriculture regulations (to protect the people and shut down middle class farming business) in order to facilitate the corporate take-over of the Korean infrastructure through public private partnershipping.
It’s a glorious plan to systematize Korea into seamless network, that someday will integrate flawlessly with the over-all world management system. To install a brave new world of corporate feudalism, where peace and harmony rules the earth through a strong police state. That is what common Koreans see behind the mad eyes of the American cow. Koreans are fighting for self determination, independence, and simple survival.
But, then again, maybe they simply don’t want US beef. I tend to project alot when divining Kimchee psychology.
Ridiculous. The Korean elite does not gain from a subordination of Korean nationalism and an integration into larger markets (KORUS FTA or Pan-Asia Trading Bloc); the Korean elite is, and always has been, a class which takes its benefit from keeping the masses disconnected from the rest of the world and then sucking their blood through higher prices which allow some to be skimmed off and distributed to lawmakers and enforcement officials as bribes. Language barriers, regulatory barriers, and physical barriers between the masses of Korea and world markets is what butters the bread of the chaebol and the politicians who make their living off bribery from the chaebol. Explain to me how the Jilin milk farm lines the pockets of a Korean politician and maybe you’ll have something here.
You know Mike, I was just on the phone with a Korean friend today who brought up the same scheme you mention. That there are government sponsored interlopers instigating bad behavior seems a bit far fetched, but what the heck do I know? I just hope that this all calms down and that beef gets cheap before I head back to visit. I’d like to have some chadolbagi at a reasonable price.
Carr’s got a good point. Another example: 20% of Canada’s population lives in Quebec, in linguistic isolation. They aren’t allowed to learn English – if they could speak English, they’d leave, and the Quebec government knows it. So they stay in an economically depressed province and provide a tax base for a government that has no plan or policy to provide for them economically other than to get money from English-speaking Canada and distribute it via inefficient social programs. The bigger the population, the more money they can extract. There’s a limit though – obviously the Anglais won’t pay for every Quebecois to live like a resident of Toronto or Calgary. And in Korea, there is a limit to just how much the chaebol can earn off Korea’s linguistically-isolated labor force, and thereby pay to the government to keep that labor force so isolated.
“If consumers really do not trust the safety of US beef, they will vote with their pocketbooks. ”
Consumers will vote with their pocket books? It’s not that simple. As I posted earlier in another thread, it isn’t about meat. It’s about the bones and the organs, things that go in processed food, like ramen soup base and beef bone soup, things that American producers would love to be able to sell since there isn’t a market of it in the US because these parts are where BSE are thought to be concentrated.
Wow, Korea has it’s own One World Government conspiracy? They’re growing up!
Also, Brendan, if you’re arguing with true one-worlders, you’d know that there’s much more profit to global slavery
Basic problem: Korea is a low-trust society.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
#6,
Quebecers aren’t allowd to learn English? Have you ever even set foot in Quebec? Quebecers learn English everyday. One of my friends is an English teacher in Quebec. His wife can’t speak a word of French.
Dude, Quebec is one of the richest provinces in Canada. Quebecers actually pay more income tax than they should because of that.
http://news.chosun.com/site/da.....00690.html. Plese check out this video. It shows just how “peaceful” these demonstrations really are. It’s in Korean but you can find the video embedded about half way down the page, somewhere below the photo of 2 old guys sitting in front of the mike. Just hit play. It gets very disturbing when you see the anti-US beef protestors trap the police and start hitting them with metal pipes.
The only people in Korea who get respect-slash-fear are the old men.
The only people who *really* get away with bad behavior which keeps the masses down is… the same old men.
If Koreans had the brass to get in the face of any older male being an *ss (from small infraction to major), Korea could become home to a civil culture.
But as along as older men are given a free-ticket out of any improper behavior, forget it.
Problem is the large majority of Koreans lack the critical thinking skills to dissect any of what’s going on.
Not that they are stupid per say, but that they never learned critical thinking skills or reasoning in school.
It has all just been teacher say, student repeat.
That’s why Korean people are so easily led like sheep by charismatic types who seek to be in control of them. They can use any sort of lies, half-truths and propaganda that appeal to ‘Korean sensibilities’- Koreans are ‘unique’, Koreans have been victims of outsiders, fear of non Koreans, etc.- to get the masses to believe and do as the ‘dictator’ character wishes.
The Confucian social-educational system breeds people who easily believe and follow those they see as their ’superior’ without question.
They really do not have as much power to nor are they encouraged whatsoever to think for themsleves!
I’d REALLY love to see the protestors take their energy and enforce a “GOOD ADJOSSHI DAY”.
Any adjosshi found to be acting badly will be properly taken to task, instead of just put up with. THAT protest day I could enjoy.
# 10,
I don’t really like how you said what you wrote. However, despite its undiplomatic language, I can’t disagree with its premise.
I kinda feel like I’ve guessed that the real issue is trust. I don’t even bother arguing the facts of the case with my Korean friends, I just say “American beef is the safest in the world” and leave it at that. They can trust me and my country or not, take it or leave it.
Actually, that’s when they tell me that the real issue is Lee Myung Bak’s lack of consulting with the Korean people. And that’s a whole other can of worms.
Lived there for the whole of my MBA at McGill. Quite ironic, studying business in a socialist nation. And Quebec is quite definitely Canada’s poorest large province. Wiki it yourself, only the minimally-populated maritimes are poorer.
By “not allowed”, I meant the public education system. Misleading statement on my part, for which I apologize. Of course, residents who can afford it can learn English privately, or residents who can prove they have an Anglo parent can take English classes on the government dime, but the great majority are shut out; doomed, if you will, to remain in the highest-taxed jurisdiction in North America, because they can’t speak the language of commerce elsewhere. (Did some Quebec nationalist actually tell you the province’s taxes were so high because Quebec was rich?)
I could not agree more..Insecuirty and Low trust is deeply rooted in Korea society. Could this be caused by historical grief (恨) from Emperial Chinese, Colonial Japanese, American GIs and military juntas?
Marmot, I think you are questioning the very core Korean consciousness.
Namuamita.
#4 was right on the spot (as if nobody knew it before)…
Brendon,
The Korean government is NOT de-emphasizing Korean nationalism.
It is stoking it — if rumors of government agent provocateurs are valid.
The strategy for integration into larger markets is currently meant to be regional, including trade with New Zealand, Australia, along with Korea’s co-racial Asians. The FTA is not a high priority for both Korea and America. Agent provocateurs may be harnessing anti-Americanism to herd this move to Asian-Pacific regionalism.
Who benefits? The corporations, and all who delude themselves into thinking they are corporate elites, or loyal cronies. If it’s true about Jilin milk farms, they also have an interest in the upcoming over-regulations designed to drive the common farmers out of business. They hope to be a surviving monopoly just like the other corporations. The fomented demonstrations are an astro-turfing movement towards monopoly capitalism. It benefits your corrupt Chaebols. Brendon, think before you speak. It’s a good lawyer trait.
Thanks all for the thoughts.
First, I am highly skeptical of any plot, Korean or Canadian. I think its more a problem of Groupthink and unintended concequences.
I knew the Fukuyama “high/low trust” conjecture would come up. While it may seem to have a direct relation, I argue that it has no place here. Both conuntries obstensibly want a closer trade relationship, which necessitates and engenders more trust. An “average” Korean from a sociology context and his ability to trust does not directly apply.
The aggregate trust situation is an interesting counter, especially in the face of the current protests. Yet I fail to see the applicability here since the trade relationship this is all wrapped up in again needs the trust, regardless of personal or aggrative pecidillos. Which drives me back to my last paragrah, I doubt that Korea (in aggregate) really wants this close relationship they say they want.
#18 Koreans don’t even trust each other*
The regionalism and whatnot.
I’ve been told it comes from feudal times when most people didn’t travel beyond their own village. All these villages were separated by mountains (yes, I know they are not large mountains), so there wasn’t a whole lot of interaction among the people between villages. They didn’t trust outsiders. This distrust of outsiders holds very strong today!
At heart, Koreans don’t trust anyone but their own immediate families.
*as the ring of familiarity moves outward, the level of trust drops dramatically. They will trust their family above other Koreans> they will trust Koreans they know over Koreans they don’t> they will trust Koreans over non-Koreans. As the level of trust decreases, the level of suspicion of ill will increases greatly.
Not only do they distrust, they actually are very suspicious that others are actively trying to harm them in order to gain money or other benefits.
Low trust society indeed!
Koreans rarely trust any business deal.
They usually believe that the other party is trying to screw them over as they pretty don’t think that deals can be win-win. They think the goal is to get one over on the other party.
That’s why you have many deals where one party actively tries to screw over the other side in the attempts to avoid being screwed over themselves. It’s striving for an ‘I win, you lose’ situation where if you don’t try to win one over the other party, you will be the loser.
Think about it, how many deals do you see where Koreans are looking for win-win situations?
Well, in my time as an entrepreneur here, I’ve only had about a dozen customers. That said, all of them think pretty much win-win, since we work on repeat projects. My suppliers, on the other hand, are a totally different story (customs brokers, accountants, printers, logistics, IT services, any government agency….). It takes a while to find companies I’d do repeat business with.
I rue the day FUKUYAMA turned us all into sociologists.
Team building exercises for “low-trust Koreans”: learn how to fall backwards into trustworthy arms of foreigners; share intimate secrets with foreigners, and paper crafts done together in a safe affirming environment. Teach Koreans not to be afraid of crying in the arms of a foreigner. Only then can we build a police state together.
#17,
http://www40.statcan.ca/cgi-bi.....mp;sortf=6
Second behind Ontario.
PS. “Lived there for the whole of my MBA at McGill.”
In which language did you take your exams and write your assignments? How fluent are you in French?
Oh, cripes, someguy. You measure wealth on per capita basis, not in absolutes. Do you think of Singapore as the poorest country in Asia, or Monaco the poorest in Europe?
No French, I’m afraid. Lived the whole time (16 months) a 10 minute walk from campus.
“to remain in the highest-taxed jurisdiction in North America, because they can’t speak the language of commerce elsewhere.”
Quebec exports 30 some billion dollars worth of products to the US every year. I wonder how they manage that if they can’t communicate with English speaking Americans.
“(Did some Quebec nationalist actually tell you the province’s taxes were so high because Quebec was rich?)”
No, not because it’s rich. They are overtaxed in the sense that the Canadian government distributes additional funding to poorer provinces. Since Quebec is rich (second GDP behind Ontario, remember?), it is paying more than it gets back.
#28,
“Oh, cripes, someguy. You measure wealth on per capita basis, not in absolutes. Do you think of Singapore as the poorest country in Asia, or Monaco the poorest in Europe?”
Whatever proves your point, right?
“No French, I’m afraid. Lived the whole time (16 months) a 10 minute walk from campus.”
But, but, but…Quebecers aren’t supposed to use English? How is it possible for you to use English if you study at a university in Quebec?
(note the sarcasm).
I rest my case.
Great, from somewhat reasonable explanation to conspiracy theory to Canuckie food fight.
Um, well, since this began with a mention of how elites maintain their status, I guess I could say that there’s a reason English-speaking McGill is the best University in the province. Or that the language used in the offices at Pratt & Whitney is English. And since we’re talking about how people get ahead in the world, per capita is indeed the only way to look at the numbers.
And, do head back to the wiki and check out ‘transfer payments’ and ‘equalization payments’.
Yes, I’ve apparently one of the few who hasn’t gotten any joy from the past few days of beefy threads.
Excellent to hear so many informed, and many ill-informed opinions on this issue. I like the suggestion that government apparachiks are fomenting mob rule against the FTA to move the nation towards a Pacific FTA. Seriously, what do you reckon that would be worth up against an FTA with the US? Sure, China might start buying Sonatas for USD30K in 15-20 years, but what to do in the meantime – rely on 26 million Aussies and Kiwis? Perhaps Thailand and Tonga could provide the kind of export returns the Chaebols are seeking?
“I guess I could say that there’s a reason English-speaking McGill is the best University in the province. ”
Well, I wouldn’t spit on Laval and Concordia if I were you.
The “it’s about Lee” thing is one of the more annoying parts of this, because it has that one grain (of rice) truth to which which the 5 ton elephant tries to hide behind, and because it has that one grain, it tends to draw more attention than it should.
Korean society really doesn’t need it. The foreign media outlets I’ve seen simply say this is a ho-hum protest over beef imports —- just like you’d see perhaps in other nations…
The lies and disinformation and hysteria are not being reported the way they really are.
But back to the “It’s about Lee” thing:
besides all the good points this post stated, we can also consider Pres. Roh:
He was disliked much through most of his time in office. The press made him a punching bag. And he did things like send Korean troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, made an FTA and set in motion the beef deal.
Some of these actions drew some protests, but really nothing much at all. Even troops to Iraq.
But, I’m supposed to believe these protests are over President Lee’s style? or policies so far?
Horseshit…
No slight to either intended. Nor to Quebec, though I admit I’ve indulged in some mild digs here. I just wanted to say that a population that is isolated by language is in some sense hostage to their location, and can therefore be exploited to some degre. Taxes are based on geography, thus people tend to move to avoid taxes (except the Scandinavians for some reason), as do corporations. Unilingual Quebecers have a harder time moving, and can therefore be taxed more. And so they are.
Half-right. Bones and organs aren’t big sellers, but it’s not because of fears of BSE; rather, it’s that North Americans don’t care to spend 4 hours making broth and don’t like the taste or tripe or tongue, certain ethnic groups excepted.
Dramman and Benicio74 at #21,#22, and #23, right on the money.
The conspiracy theory that government agents are causing the riots – ridiculous.
The rioters and people who are sympathetic to rioters are saying this to deflect criticism against them by blaming the government.
Over the years, I’ve run a number of businesses, and done a lot of sales.
As much as I like to make money, there was always that rare client, who it just was not worth doing business with.
You know the type, demanding, sneaky, untrustworthy, cheap.
The sort of customer that you didn’t chase, but chased away.
Does the US Government ever ask itself the question? Are these people worth dealing with?
Regionalism is still pretty strong. My boss told me about going down to Gwangju back in the 1970s. He said that the Gwangju people were pretty hostile to him even as a native of Seoul.
That being said, Gyeongsangbuk-do is not exactly brimming over with love for Gwangju and Jeolla-do.
I have a feeling the only way Lee Myung Bak can avoid impeachment, is to ask for renegotiation of beef deal with the US. Lee has no political ally. Even other conservatives like Lee Hoi Chang and Park Geun Hye are taking pot shots at Lee’s stance, and side with the anti US beef protesters.
What will happen if Korea cancels the trade deal with the US and ask for renegotiation (which really means saying no to US beef)? Is this comparable to what US presidential candidate Obama wants to do which is to cancel the North American FTA?
The anti US beef side backed up by the Korean media thinks that WTO will protect Korea from any US trade retaliations after Korea cancels the deal. They also point out that Korea-US FTA deal is dead anyway with the US Democrats opposing it.
I can agree with the latter point, but if they think WTO will protect Korea from US trade retaliations.. they are either sadly mistaking or they are in a self denial.
Canadians’ spelling of words in English can be confusing to non-Canadians at times. Would that be deger in American English?
Je plaisante
I am not much on the inner workings of Korean politics, but just in general on the big picture stuff — since I’m short on details —— my gut still tells me the impeachment of Lee isn’t likely.
The man’s only got 1 5 year term to begin with.
Part of what we are seeing is other elements in the government taking him down over the size of the victory he and the conservatives one.
Players (in and out of his party) want to strike early to condition his rule. Once they saw the opening, they have moved to capitalize on it, and it came early enough for them to press full force in the hopes of setting conditions favorable for them in the future.
At some point, if this keep up, I’d expect the GNP to rally around Lee.
I’d expect Lee is going to have to cut some significant deals for now and the future —-
—- but unless the GNP is rather stupid, I’d imagine they will come to understand soon that they have to strike back in Lee’s favor or risk giving too much ground to the opposition parties — parties that were all but dead after the last election.
Those parties are now back into the hunt already. If the GNP let’s it go on my much, without trying to stem the tide, the GNP could very well see the stage set for a lose of major ground in the National Assembly next election.
In short…..after a little more damage to Lee…..I’d expect wagon-circle calls to go out in the party and conservative press.
Slightly OT, but an interesting development:
“New Zealander Polina Lipina, familiar to television viewers as a panelist of the popular KBS talk show `Chat With Beauties,’ joins protesters in front of Seoul City Hall, Monday, in a candlelit vigil against the government’s plan to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports.”
Courtesy of KT.
One wonders how this will pan out, since the young lady is clearly in violation of her visa status in a very public manner and as such should soon be consigned back to “Tolkien Land.” I will not be holding my breath.
It would be in New Zealand’s interest to see US beef banned.
As for Usinkorea’s comment:
“Those parties are now back into the hunt already. If the GNP let’s it go on my much, without trying to stem the tide, the GNP could very well see the stage set for a lose of major ground in the National Assembly next election.”
Therein lies the dilema. The GNP members are pandering to the public. They should have rallied around Lee from the beginning. Now if they stop pandering, what would be their status with the voters look like? Either way, they were going to sink politically. They should have taken the high moral road from the beginning, instead of playing politics. Now they’re not only going to look like idiots, but they’re still going to sink politically anyway. Politics in ROK, is so fucked up. It makes the dictators of 70’s and 80’s actually look like good leaders.
Dram Man!
Great to see you posting (been pretty busy lately, huh?)
Anyway, a great post as usual. Hope to see more.
What Dram Man put his finger on is that it is impossible for Americans not to take these anti-American demonstrations personally. They are an affront, not only to the US govt, but its people. Koreans, for all their socialization, just don’t seem to realize that actions have consequences in international trade.
The solipsistic perspective ie. (I think it’s correct, I assert it is correct, therefore it is correct) does not constitute a valid argument outside of the Republic of Korea. Outside Korea, there are objective standards by which attitudes and behaviors are judged. Koreans need to learn that they will be judged by their attitudes and behaviors, and that this is already beginning to happen.
For instance, negative attitudes about Korea are proliferating at an ever-advancing pace as others come into contact with Koreans. Increasingly, Koreans are being judged as childish, irrational, arrogant, jingoistic and xenophobic. This is a judgement Koreans are bringing on themselves because, when thousands take to the street without just cause to express anti-American sentiments, this personality disorder appears to be the rule, rather than the exception.
How can Korea change its image? It can’t. It must change its culture first, and international opinion will adapt accordingly.
Park whatsherface and her people are finally getting some pieces of the pie now that Lee is wounded when before he was ignoring them and leaving them in the cold.
With some of the pie now, and things getting worse still, if I were a GNPer, I’d try to get any friends in the editorial boards in the Korean press to switch from the rolling number of “If Lee had done this – if Lee had done that” stories to —
—- rolling, day-after-day stories of how much Cows Gone Wild!! Hysteria is making Koreans look like provincial bumpkins in the world community — doing damage to Korea’s name brand and hurting exports.
That isn’t true — but the number of stories out in the world press could likely convince Korean society it is true — and they’d turn off the spigot of support for the regular anti-US crew pdq.
This article is from Businessweek. The beef ban opposition is willing to take the US to WTO if there are any trade retaliations after Korea closes the beef market again. But I don’t think WTO can do anything to enforce any of their rulings, even if Korea wins. They are seriously delusional and crazy to even think that a possible trade war with the US can be won through WTO. MBC news reported this in their evening news as a possible way out of the deal with the US to give what the protesters want. They are being seriously irresponsible. I hope they burn in hell.
————
Could the tensions develop into a full-blown trade war? It’s possible, says Han Sangwan, chief economist at think-tank Hyundai Research Institute in Seoul. The beef dispute could become a bigger issue if it’s taken up during this year’s U.S. Presidential election. The Korean public could inflame tensions, too. “Unless the U.S. shows flexibility over its beef exports to address Koreans’ concerns over food safety, a wholesale boycott of U.S. products could follow,” says Han. “And that could trigger protectionist retaliation.” The collapse of an FTA would mean a “serious chasm between the two,” he adds.
The WTO can do something between ‘f*** all’ and ‘not a whole lot’. Basically, they can authorize SK to enact its own relatiatory measures. Of course, the flip side to that (and why this thing will likely never see the WTO) is that they could side with the US, and find the SK ban unreasonable and order SK to open up their beef market. And even if SK could enact retaliatory measures, do they have enough power to make the US back down? After all, the SK economy is already closed in so many different ways, it would be hard to imagine where they could find a lot of room to enact more protectionist measures than they already have… and then there’s always the issue of how much trade power SK really has over the US… Do they have enough muscle to make the US back down?
Boycott? Really? What is Han doing a little comedy routine? Does the Hyundai Research Institute have a cover and two-drink minimum?
What US good can Korean consumers boycott Mr. Han? Not buy the 5 Australian made Ford Mondeo’s sold a year in Korea? Avoid Nike shoes imported direct from China? No Columbian coffee from Starbucks? Reject those Big Macs made from Australian beef?
Korea set up a system where by most imports are behind the scenes. Samsung microchips are assembled by machines from Palo Alto, not Pusan. The grain in Hite beer comes from Kansas, not Kwangju. The rice meal in Orion’s snacks comes from the Sacramento Delta, not the Suwon corridor. Even Korea’s vaunted internet connections come from Patents partly held by companies in Texas, not Taejeon.
KFC? Owned in Korea by Doosan. Krispy Kreme Donuts? Owned in Korea by Lotte. Starbucks? Owned in Korea by Shinsaegae.
Korean import policy is driven by the idea that a domestic partner is the essental part of getting imports into the consumers hands. If any “boycott” did happen it would either hurt the wrong people, or serve to shoot a few Korean companies in the foot. So lets be clear, a meaningful consumer boycott of US goods is pretty impossible without confusion or collateral (domestic) damage.
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