Korean Job Discussion Forums

[madoka]

A UCLA student who made headlines for joining rebel forces in the Libyan Revolution has reportedly been sent packing.

Initial reports were that Chris Jeon, 21, was treated almost like a mascot in his rebel unit, but now it seems like the Converse-wearing soldier has worn out his welcome.

"Our team in east Libya said rebels fed up with Chris Jeon, US kid who tried to join, told him 2 go, last seen on pick-up going 2 Benghazi," Al Jazeera producer Evan Hill tweeted on Friday.

Jeon told the Christian Science Monitor that he joined the fighting in Libya because he wanted to see a revolution first-hand.

"I just thought I'd come check it out," he said.

He bought a one-way ticket to Cairo and then snuck into Libya, undaunted by the civil war that has raged in the country for six months - or the very real possibility that he could be killed in the fighting.

After he linked up with the rebels, they gave him a nickname and cheered whenever he said it, according to reports.

Peter Duan, a close friend of Jeon, told the LA Weekly that he had tried to talk his quixotic pal out of taking the dangerous summer vacation.

"I've known Chris for a while. What I gathered when I first met him is that he's a different type of guy. .. He loves going into nature. He went to the Amazon by himself.

"But more and more, he's becoming a thrill-seeker. I love him to death, but he does plenty of stupid s---. ... I'm very glad that he's still alive."

If the rebels did in fact give Jeon the boot, it wouldn't be surprising, given the attention the news reports have produced.

After the news broke, he became an international sensation on the Internet. A Facebook page dedicated to him quickly sprouted up and journalists from around the world have requested to interview him and his family.

Many of his Facebook fans seemed to be amused with his unusual quest - and wished him well.

But not everyone was enthusiastic.

"What do you think, it's some kind of joke to go over there?" one incredulous Facebook poster wrote.

Here's a different article on him:

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/09/chris_jeon_insane_ucla_student_2.php

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Me, I'd vote dumb and I'd cite his explanation of why he bought a one-way ticket for $800:

"If I get captured or something, I don't want to waste another $800."

[Zyzyfer]

What an idiot. Somebody needs to tell him about Syria.

Would be awesome if he did these acts for the right reasons, though.

[isisaredead]

what a fuufufufufiufufing idiot.

i'm not really surprised, though.

[whatisinmyhead]

some dumb things are cool

[aq8knyus]

You have to admire his sense of adventure. However, the point about him not having to spend a dollar because of the hospitality of locals makes him seem like a leech. Especially as he lacks any useful skills military or otherwise that he could contribute to the rebels cause.

[sadguy]

i think he's cool. sounds like he's got some great stories.

[Unposter]

I'd go with cool, too, but when the Rebels told me they wanted me out, I would have gotten out of dodge.

[jvalmer]

Your title is a little deceiving. He's American who is an ethnic Korean.

Anyways, I think he's cool...

[2i2dk1ny2i3]

[Died By Bear]

Would he still be 'cool' if he came home minus two legs?