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이름:ceo (123@hotmail.com) (2, 남, 1)
2003-07-04 오전 4:19:00 144.118.132.230


Saddened by Anti-Americanism

July 4, 2003
Saddened by Anti-Americanism

I recently returned from the conflict in Iraq and was surprised to learn how Koreans are concerned about the U.S. troop repositioning in Korea in relation to a possible attack on North Korea. To alleviate your fears - do not worry because we will not attack North Korea. Due to anti-Americanism most Americans don't care if North Korea takes over South Korea now.
The troop repositioning is more likely the first step toward sending the troops home to America for good. I was in the 2nd Infantry Division for two years recently and took pride in helping to defend the Republic of Korea with the fine ROK army. However I was upset by the anti-American protests - and especially the burning of the American flag.

As Americans we hold lots of pride in our flag, probably more so than other countries, because of the many Americans who have died fighting oppression and tyranny around the globe, including Korea. Koreans have never seen Americans burn their flag, or any other countries' flags, because we show them proper respect. We did not burn Iraqi flags prior to the recent war, or North Korean flags due to the nuclear issue.

During the World Cup, Americans really had a very favorable impression of Korea as a good friend and a nice country that hosted a great World Cup. Koreans say they want to be treated by Americans as an equal and mature nation, and the World Cup really did generate a lot of American respect for Korea. But the flag burning and displays of hatred of America because of the accident last June destroyed any respect the American public had for Korea. Americans now see Korea as an ungrateful friend whom thousands of Americans died for and decades of American taxpayers helped economically.

Americans were perplexed why Koreans were angry about the girls' deaths, for which our president and military repeatedly apologized. It was obviously an accident, in contrast to the North Koreans' deliberate killing of South Korean sailors in the Yellow Sea clash. Why were there no repeated candlelight vigils and outrage for them?

I've seen plenty reports here of Korean drivers killing and injuring people - my fiancé was badly injured and had to be hospitalized due to a Korean driver. No public outrage for her or an apology from then President Kim Dae Jung.

I am soon returning to Korea and look forward to visiting my many Korean friends. I know Korea very well and the label of anti-Americanism that the few left-wing liberals have put on the country is not the Korea that I know. The majority Koreans are very proud, kind and hard-working people - which are all attributes that we Americans value. That explains why Korean immigrants do so well in our country. However, I am afraid of the damage the left-wingers did is irreparable and U.S. troops will probably be gone from Korea within the next five years. Gone too will probably be American and foreign investment along with the Korean economy. That saddens me more than the fear of North Korean nuclear weapons.

Jonathan Stafford

Colorado, U.S.

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200307/200307030004.html