Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zeppelin]

I have been amazed at the vitriolic tone of posts on this board by some members on the �Mad Cow� subject.

In this instance I�d say these posters have been guiltier of the chest-beating, �oori Nara� nationalistic tub-thumping that they accuse the Koreans of.

The Korean protests have been directed at their own government and the perceived failure of the government to secure protective clauses in their negotiations with the USA. Specifically, the Korean people have been concerned about being able to stop imports if there is �mad cow disease� outbreak in the US and the practice of importing meat from animals slaughtered at 30 months and over. Meat from animals of this age is more likely to be infectious to humans. In the UK meat from animals slaughtered after 30 months must be tested if it is intended for human consumption. Sure, it�s a small chance but why take it at all, especially if you already have a plentiful supply of beef?

Of course a lot of the protests have been politically motivated. Perhaps a lot of the protestors feel guilty about not voting and allowing LMB to be elected? However, they have been directing their protests at their government - protesting at city hall and marching to the Blue House rather than rallying outside the US embassy. There has not been a great deal of anti-foreign sentiment. In fact Koreans quite happily consume imported Australian beef.

There are plenty of reasons to be sceptical about importing US beef, not least the dubious use of growth hormone. I�d like to avoid meat products from the USA as far as possible but the old maxim of �if you don�t want it, don�t buy it� doesn�t hold true since there is no way to reliably tell where the beef at the restaurant, in processed food, or the cattle products in your medicine or candy were sourced.

In this day and age when we are supposedly concerned about global warming and trying to be conscious of our carbon footprints, it doesn�t seem to make sense to fly food around the globe if it isn�t necessary to do so.

Why are these ESLcafe posters so riled up about this issue? Is the fate of US agri-business close to your hearts? Does the share price of Agri-chemical multinationals keep you awake at night? Are you dedicated globalisation fans? Or are you pissed because the Koreans are questioning the quality of �your� beef? Or is it just an issue to let off some pent up rage about Korea and Koreans?

[Cerriowen]

Proooobably no one would notice it IF we weren't getting it flashed in our faces every day.

Kids at school come up to me and say "Teacha... America... Cow... Crazy? You eat America cow?"

There's several large TV screens around my house, blaring some type of political BS, with a plastic cow, and a korean flag draped over it.

In the store, the woman proudly told me that their beef is only Korean.

There's protests happening, and I've heard that some of them have gotten violent.

It's not about meat, it's about the effect this will have on their economy. It's about the president they just elected, and the changes that he's making to Korea. It's about the FTA. It's about the feeling toward everything now being imported from the USA.

[aka Dave]

How many Americans have died from CJD. I want names, addresses, real people. I want *real* risk assessment not inflamatory garbage. How is the disease spread? I want real science. Not internet rumors.

Can cows spread it to other cows. Can humans spread it to other humans? I want scientific data that's peer reviewed, not interntet crap.

[lucas_p]

[secret elated leaf]

I have to agree with the op here, from what I've read the main issue the protesters are complaining about is the program of privatisation that the president is proposing. Talk of privatising the national health insurance system, selling off of power generation companies and other state owned enterprises, and of course the canal project that will give cronies of Lee Myeong Bak a nice public purse to dip into.

The beef issue is justified for the public to be upset about also, no other country, not even a developing country such as Vietnam allows the importation of beef over 30 months old. If they don't allow the importation then why should Korea? It was quite a cock up for the current administration to allow the importation of a certain grade of beef when no other OECD countries, or even many developing countries allow it. Fair enough that they get annoyed at it.

Obviously they are getting quite nationalistic about this, and taking it further than anywhere else would, but I would say many of the responses on this board show the same degree of paranoia where if anything that promotes the local produce of this country over a Western product is seen as a direct attack on foreigners residing here.

Lets not forget how fortress like the US is when it comes to the importation of agricultural produce. Ever wonder why the Doha round of world trade talks seems to get bogged down all the time? The EU and US blocking importation of agricultural goods thanks to a disproportionately strong farming lobby group that is heavily subsidised and backed by the government. No wonder the Koreans are annoyed with the US on this one.

The day the US allows more open access to their own market for primary goods is the day posters here can get miffed at the reaction of the Koreans...

SEL

[Dome Vans]

Did Saddam Hussein have weapons of mass destruction? Was it ever found out to be true?

Does American beef give you CJD? Is there proof?

I doubt either countries media or government actually gave a shit about the truth. Seems they are both getting what they want though.

[bassexpander]

Why can't Koreans have Korean beef at prices equal to that of American beef which was shipped here from thousands of miles away?

That's what I am asking!

[zeppelin]

[Hanson]

[Dome Vans]

[ryouga013]

I have only directed my negative thoughts towards the inaction of people in the government towards the broadcasting companies and newspapers for blatantly lying to the public, being called on it and not responding with anything to try to reverse some of the damage they've done, the president for taking these matters into his own hands and not asking his people whether they wanted it, and for the legions of idiots that believed that they will all die from something that hasn't caused a single death (or for that matter a single case of the disease ) of any Korean American.

[zeppelin]

[Justin Kimberlake]

[Adventurer]

As far as the reaction in Korea, most of it didn't include anti-US sentiment, but Americans were warned not to go that area for good reason. The US military is also on alert. You forget that Gwanghamun is where the US Embassy is located. Do you think some of the protesters didn't want to go there. There was some of that anti-US feeling out there. It wasn't the overwhelming feeling out there, but there was some of it and don't tell me it wasn't there. The Leftists were taking advantage of the people's ignorance and the fear of the U.S. and all. There were also people talking about boycotting US goods. They were a minority in the end. I will agree with that. You mentioned growth hormones. I personally do prefer Australian beef or European beef from the continent.
I don't really want beef with growth hormones and all these antibiotics.
The protesters included mothers who were so afraid that their children were being harmed and afflicted with mad cow disease. The people on the Left including the teacher's union and politicos who scared these people should be found and prosecuted for spreading false information to disturb the peace.

[asylum seeker]