Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bookemdanno]

I scoured The Korean Herald online and forced myself to watch the TV news channels in the slim hope that the media in this so-called peninsular democracy would provide balanced coverage of the confrontation between Korean demonstrators and Chinese students during the Olympic torch relay in Seoul recently.


INstead, the Chinese students were collectively referred to as "wild" and "not easy to control." The police were criticized for not doing enough, though they did shelter more than a few Korean agitators from a few Chinese students who were going to kick their azz.

A huge wrench was supposedly wielded by one of the Chinese students who was arrested. Later, digital video and still shots revealed that the very same sort of wrench was in the hands of a male Korean demonstrator. This error was never acknowledged.

At least two Chinese flags were burned or otherwise desecrated in view of the students, causing some to become understandably agitated. Many had insults flung their way while others were pushed and shoved. The Chinese consulate in Pusan was accused of the heinous crime of aiding and abetting the students by (gasp) providing them with buses to the event in Seoul. And, of course, the Foreign Ministry of the ROK demanded an official apology from the PRC Embassy, which was not forthcoming although expressions of regret were mouthed.

Oddly, The Korean Herald initially reported that one Chinese and three Koreans were arrested in the melee that ensued but chose to focus their ire on the one Chinese student, who has since been deported.

Another incident occurring the next day on the Seoul subway wasn't reported in the local press but was reported on two Chinese student blogs. Admittedly, it is based on hearsay and could be exaggerated but the fact that it happened at all is still telling. A Chinese female student was told by two Korean college students that all Chinese are dogs. She said nothing at first but they persisted. Finally, she blurted back the same insult only to be surrounded by these and other punks while other, older Koreans sat back and did nothing. The girl was so afraid that she got off at the very next stop.

So what do you make of it this series of incidents? Is it just a tempest in a teapot that blew out with the Olympic torch when it was extinguished? Or is a telling reminder of lingering racism among many Koreans toward Chinese? Was the clash on the streets of Seoul provoked? Did the police handle matters properly? And what does all this say about Korea's image in the press? (In the official Chinese press, it has actually been played down.)

[On the other hand]

[bucheon bum]

The Chinese did that here in the states. I don't know if it was organized by the consulate, but Chinese students at universities throughout California were bussed to San Francisco to protest against the anti-China protesters.

[bucheon bum]

Here you go OTOH, from the NY Times:

[Ya-ta Boy]

When we discussed the issue in class (adult students) the two main responses were:

a) It happened because Korea is small and weak compared to China. If Korea were stronger, Chinese would respect them and obey the laws.

b) There was a lot of sympathy for Tibet. Japan colonized Korea and China has colonized Tibet.

My perception is that the average Korean is susceptible to being stirred up against any foreign nation, whether it be the US, Japan or China, if the issue is presented 'properly'.

[bassexpander]

You'll find no sympathy for either China or Korea from me.

[bookemdanno]

bassexpander:

Wasn't lookin' for sympathy. Cops like me never do. Just wanted to set the record straight since we won't get it from the Korean press, despite its "freedoms."

bucheon bum wrote:

[On the other hand]

[moosehead]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[bookemdanno]

moosehead:

[moosehead]

sigh, I regret the day I chose the username Moosehead -

the deal is, it has nothing to do with beer, and I'm American - I don't drink much so it never even occurred to me people would confuse the two - the name is in reference to something else entirely unrelated - long story - but it's actually about moose (the real ones)

[Grab the Chickens Levi]

[Rum Jungle]

[On the other hand]