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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Alias
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 4:00 am Post subject: |
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"He even said that he wanted to go back to Alabama to protest a factory or something that was going to be constructed there that would accommodate Korean workers. "
Sad. Sounds like his hatred of Korea drove him over the edge. |
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humanuspneumos
Joined: 08 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 7:15 pm Post subject: Ummm |
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| Sounds like his hatred of Korea drove him over the edge. |
Was it that or was it Korea's ever growing Anti-American stance that got to someone whom for so long had defended, stood-up-for, and admired Korea?
I often find that the one's who are the greatest advocates (apologists) for South Korea are often the one's most crushed when the country they fought so hard to improve/defend through positive verbal out-put goes sour over a duration of time.
Anyway- we all hope that some clues and justice (compensation) emerge soon. |
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khyber
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Compunction Junction
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| Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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I student in my school saw a classmate of his floating in a river. He was shaken up (obviously) and didn't come to school for a couple days.
My coteacher HAPPENNED to have a local police man in her class and she asked him about it. He knew about that case ( i live in a smaller town). He said that kind of stuff happens all the time. The police never report it.
I'm not sure that this is only a waygook problem. I think that institutions in Korea are doing their best to keep the public in the dark in regards to just about everything that may be wrong with this society. |
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sundubuman
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:51 am Post subject: |
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I haven't commented on this story possibly because it hit too close to home. I myself, around the time of this incicent, was having a very difficult time understanding my relationship with a country that I chose to live for the same reason as Mr. Seller's; I fell in love with Korea.
A few months prior to his death, I was on a subway and a group of 3 maybe 8 or 9 year-old boys looked at me and one said to his friends Mi-Gook-nom (American bastard). I had taught Korean kids for years, caring for them like any good teacher, and here was a kid, a LITTLE kid, calling me a bastard just because of my race.
Every action has an opposite reaction. When a Korean elementary school teacher tells her kids Americans or Japanese are bastards, they believe it. And when someone like myself or Mr. Sellers is confronted with such vicious hatred and disrespect, it hurts enough to drive someone mad.
Koreans will never appreciate the difficulties faced by the foreign teachers here, especially those of us who actually are emotionally invested in this country, when a whole generation of young people is taught to scream Fucking USA.
We may never know what exactly what killed Matthew, but one thing is for sure. If the politicians, educators, and rabid nationalists had not worked Korea up into such a rabid anti-American frenzy last year, one very good American man would still be alive today. Probably teaching the kids he loved. Everybody loses from hate. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| sundubuman wrote: |
| A few months prior to his death, I was on a subway and a group of 3 maybe 8 or 9 year-old boys looked at me and one said to his friends Mi-Gook-nom (American *beep*). I had taught Korean kids for years, caring for them like any good teacher, and here was a kid, a LITTLE kid, calling me a *beep* just because of my race. |
�� actually most accurately translates into English as "dude". While often seen as disrespectful ( unless you're joking ) it doesn't automatically equate to nappun-mal or "in your face" profanity.
For me, it's generally at least somewhat irritating when Koreans automatically assume i'm American. I respond by asking them if they're Japanese or Chinese.
Korean: HELLO ( stranger ) !!!
Moi: Excuser-moi ??? Parlez-vous le francais ???
| sundubuman wrote: |
We may never know what exactly what killed Matthew, but one thing is for sure. If the politicians, educators, and rabid nationalists had not worked Korea up into such a rabid anti-American frenzy last year, one very good American man would still be alive today. Probably teaching the kids he loved. Everybody loses from hate. |
So has anything come of the investigation into his death ??? I remember atthe time then US Sec. of State Colin Powell promised a full inquiry.
Unfortunately, as these things tend to go, it's all just likely been quietly swept under the carpet. Sure the cops may have accidentally / intentionally murdered Matthew. As disturbing as that is, what is anyone actually going to do about it ???
Most of us are easily dispensable. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| igotthisguitar wrote: |
| sundubuman wrote: |
| A few months prior to his death, I was on a subway and a group of 3 maybe 8 or 9 year-old boys looked at me and one said to his friends Mi-Gook-nom (American *beep*). I had taught Korean kids for years, caring for them like any good teacher, and here was a kid, a LITTLE kid, calling me a *beep* just because of my race. |
�� actually most accurately translates into English as "dude". While often seen as disrespectful ( unless you're joking ) it doesn't automatically equate to nappun-mal or "in your face" profanity.
For me, it's generally at least somewhat irritating when Koreans automatically assume i'm American. I respond by asking them if they're Japanese or Chinese. |
Anyone notice now that Koreans are so afraid of offending someone with the 'Are you American?' that about 75% of the time people ask if you are Canadian and they sometimes even call foreign bars as 'Canadian bars'.. or is this just in Seoul?
When I'm not being asked if I'm Canadian, I get the 'are you British?' which surprises me as well. No one has ever asked me if I was Australian or from New Zealand though.. hmm..
The other day I was using a pick-up line by asking some girls where is the US-66 Bar.. they didn't know.. and one of the girls turns as we are walking away and says 'USA?' with a big smile.. and I say 'yes'. That was nice. |
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| about 75% of the time the person is Canadian though, at least in Seoul |
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peemil
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Location: Koowoompa
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:32 am Post subject: |
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| Ulsan too. |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:58 am Post subject: |
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Canuck go home!
Sparkles*_* |
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SuperFly
Joined: 09 Jul 2003
Location: In the doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 9:54 am Post subject: |
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R.I.P. Matthew, God rest your weary soul.
10 years in Korea, the last ten of your life
some give all, all give some
you gave all |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:00 am Post subject: |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
| Anyone notice now that Koreans are so afraid of offending someone with the 'Are you American?' that about 75% of the time people ask if you are Canadian and they sometimes even call foreign bars as 'Canadian bars'.. or is this just in Seoul? |
My guess is it must be more in Seoul.
| Tiger Beer wrote: |
| The other day I was using a pick-up line by asking some girls where is the US-66 Bar.. they didn't know.. and one of the girls turns as we are walking away and says 'USA?' with a big smile.. and I say 'yes'. That was nice. |
Glad to hear your positive experience 
Anyways, the reason i DUG up this thread's restless bones again is because i came across this UPDATE put together by Matthew's sister.
Maybe it will help to shed a little more light on things.
igtg.
-------------------------------------------------
Matthew Sellers Update
Friday 01.30.04 [1:21 am]
I am Lee Love, one of Matthew Sellers' sisters. I'd like to update everyone about what our family has learned concerning to Matthew's death. Please know our family has not stopped and will not stop seeking the truth about our brother's death.
A couple of developments about Matt's autopsy. We were always told there would be a "final" autopsy pending further test results. Now through the US State Department, we are told they were notified to consider the initial "preliminary" autopsy final. The Institute for Scientific Investigation of S. Korea has refused to issue any further details about its findings.  The cause of death remains unknown. The Koreans did not send his vital organs home for a detailed secondary autopsy. We would like to know what they did with them.
To clear up the speculation about drugs or alcohol, Matt was found to have a " ... scant amount of marijuana in his urine" nothing else. No alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines or anything of the like. All the self-inflicted death speculation should stop. He did not cause his own death, the end. A healthy 35 year old man does not die of unknown causes while in a medical facility. There is tangible concern Matthew's death has been downplayed to the point of cover-up by the US and the Koreans.
Our State Department is not forthcoming with any information about an investigation into Matthew's death. My brothers have requested a meeting with Alabama Senator Richard Shelby sometime during the month January or February 2004. His office has been trying to gather information but seem to have much of the same difficulties we have. We will go to Washington and meet Senator Shelby in person (and anyone else willing to listen) so we can go over what we do know aspect by aspect. All of the evidence indicates there is plenty of blame to go around. The Korean Police say they turned everything over to the US Embassy, the Embassy say the police are not cooperating case closed -- which one is lying? The Embassy refused to help Matthew when they were called upon repeatedly -- the police called, Matt's friends called and Matthew called. The Embassy's records show they did not initiate any effort to check on Matthew's welfare. They only managed to show up after he died Sunday evening.
The Embassy provided some information; then they sent an email instructing us not to contact some of the key people with important information about Matthew last days. They don't want us to talk to the police or the guy whose car Matt entered -- by the way, as it turns out, the owner of the car told Embassy personnel Matthew opened the back door on the passenger side and fell in; he thought Matthew was someone in trouble or being chased. He said Matthew was shivering violently and unable to communicate; his clothes were wet, his pants were torn and he was barefoot. The driver says he tried to comfort him as he drove to the nearby police station to get help.
The Embassy helped have Matthew's body returned for burial after we sent $6,000.00 within 36 hours of notification of his death (I believe this is standard procedure). We were informed he would not be released until certain other bills were cleared up. Matthew had some money left in Seoul. Here is how the US Embassy decided to disburse it. As I understand it, Matthew's money paid the costs incurred by the "hospital" that killed him, the transport that took him to Samsung Hospital where they have real doctors, the storage charges for his body ($100.00 a day until the Korean Medical Examiner could perform an autopsy) and the autopsy itself. About that autopsy -- the Koreans insisted it must be performed in accordance with their law; when a person dies while arrested and of no apparent reason it is required -- even without family consent or notification. There were other incidentals which Matthew's money was used for. Over $1,200.00 was charged to send Matt's belongings gathered from his apartment by friends, this amounted to a large heavy box and another box with very few contents. Don't misunderstand: we would do whatever it took to bring him home. It just seems wrong his money was spent the way it was.
Please contact American Governmental Departments whether it be the Senate, Congress, the State Department even President Bush himself. You need not be American to do this. We need a show of support for Matthew as a human being, and as an American citizen, as we try to seek justice for Matthew. Our country has lost site of its humanity, all the while claiming to defend and demand human rights violations not be tolerated anywhere in the world. That mantra has turned into rhetoric at best. The United States let him down, they let us down, they let you down. By not doing their job and turning their backs, they set into motion the chain of events that caused a death. Matt's death and the way he was treated was unnecessary and inexcusable. The Consul (Christian Bendsen) in charge of the Embassy that weekend even suggested the police bring Matt to them but made it clear they would not let him in. Bendsen has been transferred to a post in Mexico. That is not enough. Bendsen showed what I believe to be depraved indifference for a fellow human being, and in refusing to do his job caused Matthew's death. Bendsen should have been fired and criminally charged for not performing his duties as mandated in the Foreign Affairs Manual. Real changes need to be made.
Sadly, all Americans in South Korea should realize the relationship between the US Embassy and the Korean Police has been described to us as strained. Many people have expressed an opinion the US Embassy is notoriously unresponsive to the Americans there. Matthew's death and the refusal of the US Embassy to respond has likely reinforced these opinions. This type of arrogant negligent behavior on the part of the Embassy is solid evidence the American Government is insincere and lacks credibility. The Embassy arrogantly dismissed efforts the police made to ask for assistance for Matthew and it cost him his life. After this experience will the police aggressively seek help from the Embassy for Americans in custody as promptly as they once would have?
When we were received the Embassy duty log for the weekend Matthew died, the very first entry (9:40 a.m.) the police were told, "You have him, you deal with the man" and, later on, Embassy employees said they would come by during business hours on Monday. It is replete with disdain and overtones of not wanting to be bothered. Our Embassy is mandated to respond immediately to an American deprived of liberty to check on their well being -- immediately.
Matthew was never assessed by a medical professional before being committed to the mental hospital. There is no evidence in the medical records he was actually seen by a doctor at all; the nurses were following orders relayed to them. The one sided details of Matthew's initial interview state when Matt was asked if he knew where he was he told them he believed he was at a mental hospital and wanted to know when they would let him out. ( By this time he had already missed his flight home. ) He also told them, "Whatever you do, don't put any drugs into my body." Then they physically restrained him and drugged him anyway ( in the same wet clothes he had been wearing since Saturday morning ). He did not to eat during his entire stay. A Stars and Stripes article interviewed a nurse who said Matthew told her someone was trying to kill him.
No one will ever know for certain what caused Matthew's inexplicable odd behavior that Saturday morning. The Embassy will not produce tapes of any of the incoming calls. Neither the Embassy staff or the police are qualified to simply commit a person to a mental "hospital" without physical exam. Obviously, they did. Someone knows what actually killed Matthew but will not tell, or could it be they simply do not care, which is worse?
Lee Sellers Love
If anyone wants further information please write me.
[email protected] |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:22 am Post subject: |
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Is that really an update? Its dated January 20, 2004 (18 months ago). Not only that, but I'm positive its already been posted somewhere in this thread - as I remember it.
Nontheless, an interesting thread to bring back up. |
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lastat06513
Joined: 18 Mar 2003
Location: Sensus amo Caesar , etiamnunc victus amo uni plebian
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:19 am Post subject: |
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I think that if the family has a good case, I think they can sue the government for neglect or something.
I have known a few of my friends with whom I have worked with in the army, start filing a suit against the DoD because of harmful effects of the Anthrax vaccinations from 1997-2002 because the medicine was tainted.
I think if faced with some kind of legal litigation, the US government would be more mindful of the concerns its citizens from now on.
Especially if the outcome was in the family's outcome and if the reward was in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Matthew, Rest In Peace |
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cisco kid
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Location: Outlaws had us pinned down at the fort
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Bump
Matthew, gone but never forgotten, RIP |
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TECO
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: |
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what was the outcome - dont' have the time to read all 156 pages of this here.
was he murdered or did he drink himself to death?
i remember seeing this thread back in 2003 and was not that surprised to see it revived. |
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