http://www.washtimes.com/world/20020823-85237968.htm
SEOUL — American residents and regular visitors say recent months have brought a startling rise in anti-U.S. sentiment in South Korea, one of America’s closest allies since the countries fought side by side in the 1950-53 Korean War.
Diplomats say the phenomenon has as much to do with a new self-confidence among Koreans as with routine grievances and resentment at Bush administration policies toward North Korea.
Seoul resident Katrin Fraser, writing in the spring issue of the Korea Society Quarterly, said she was hit by a wave of anger after a South Korean speed skater was disqualified at the Salt Lake City Olympics, giving the gold medal to an American.
“For the first time since my arrival in Korea in July 2000, I felt targeted by anti-U.S. feeling simply because I look American,” she wrote. “It was no longer fringe protesters who were at the heart of this movement — it seemed to have infiltrated the mainstream.”
Long-standing resentment at the basing of 37,000 American troops in the country — resentment which gets stronger as Korean War memories fade and the threat from the North diminishes — also is a factor. Those feelings were exacerbated by an accident in June in which two teenage girls were run over and killed by a U.S. armored vehicle participating in a training exercise.
The Washington Times reported yesterday that Undersecretary of State John Bolton is considering delivering during a visit to Seoul next week a toughly worded critique of North Korea that is likely to further inflame that resentment.
There is also recognizable sentiment among younger Koreans that the United States has adopted a bullying attitude in the world since the September 11 attacks. The Internet portal Daum.com was filled with messages blaming the United States for everything from the Korean War to the oppression of the Palestinians in the days and weeks after the attacks.
Lee Tae-sik, South Korea’s deputy foreign minister, also said the rising anti-Americanism “comes with the demographic structure” in which two-thirds of the country’s citizens are younger than 40.
“We used to be rather reticent in domestic politics when we were young,” he said. “These young people now are very active and outspoken.”
Improving the relationship with the Korean newspapers and broadcast networks is regarded as especially important in light of the extremely negative coverage of the teenage girls’ deaths. Although half a dozen American officials, from the commander of the U.S. forces to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, have apologized for the accident, some newspapers still demand an apology from President Bush.
comment: I see so not only muslim countries that think US is pro israel and a big fat bully!