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Hoje Song
Joined: Jan 11, 2002
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Country: South Korea
Province/State: Seoul Teukbyeolsi
City: Seoul
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= True & False = Do you know the way to use these words in your life?
July 16, 2002 - 11:18 AM
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I don't understand USA army's mentions.
USA army had always ignored of korean people's rights.
In here, I don't want to express my strong feeling but I already have a bad something.
If they apologized politely to korean people for their rudeness, excepted the arrogance of the big country, it might not getting bigger.
They are shut up now...I feel heavy in the chest.
For a long time, individually, I have wanted to communicate with them because when I was young I yearned for their life, fasion and anything. But now it is broken...I wanna cry without any interference...
Today is ``Youth Day¡¯¡¯ in Uijongbu, where at least hundreds of middle and high school students are expected to gather in front of the train station for a memorial concert, demanding U.S. President George W. Bush¡¯s apology for the killing of two schoolgirls by an American armored vehicle during a training exercise last month.
The event is hosted by a coalition of local youth groups such as ``Youth Community Hope,¡¯¡¯ formed to call for justice regarding the matter. Their demands include trying those responsible in a Korean court.
After the rally, the students will walk to the entrance of the U.S. army base in the city, and plan to throw paper airplanes carrying their wishes over the fences.
Emotions are expected to be high. Some 5,000 participated in recent demonstrations, including both grown-ups and youths, in the city of 360,000.
The unprecedented youth move to take serious anti-U.S. action is testimony to the burgeoning anti-U.S. sentiments in North Kyonggi Province following the 14-year-olds¡¯ deaths last month.
The groups also intend to conduct online protests on the homepages of the White House, USFK, and the U.S. Embassy at 11 a.m., 4 and 9 p.m.
On June 13, middle school students Shim Mi-sun and Shin Hyo-soon were run over by a vehicle from the U.S. Army Camp Red Cloud in Uijongbu. Reckless driving was attributed to the accident.
The Commander of the U.S. Forces in Korea said the USFK takes responsibility for the matter, and a memorial service was held by the USFK afterwards, with promises of a through investigation.
However, families and friends demanded that the USFK forgo its rights to try the soldiers in a U.S. court and let the investigation be done by Koreans. The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between U.S. and Korea allows military personnel who committed crimes in Korea to be tried in a U.S. court, and exceptions have rarely taken place.
``When a U.S. soldier sexually harassed a girl, the American President himself gave an apology, but with two Korean girls dead, the USFK¡¯s apology wasn¡¯t even official, and did not contain the word `apologize¡¯ either,¡¯¡¯ said Kim Do-young, 25, an activist.
Furor spread as questionable circumstances were reported by witnesses. Many believe that none of the basic safety precautions were taken, stemming from the USFK¡¯s disregard for civilians in the area.
At a demonstration on June 26, angry protesters tried to break into the base to deliver a letter of protest. Two journalists arrested for following the protesters said they were physically abused by U.S. and Korean authorities.
Civic groups¡¯ anti-U.S. campaigns, even calling for a USFK pullout from Korea, have been hugely successful, with heavy local participation in an area which has seen numerous crimes by U.S. soldiers in the past.
Please tell me your thinking. Please...
Are they an obstacle to world peace and globalization?
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Hye-Jin Lee
Joined: Apr 17, 2002
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Re: = True & False = Do you know the way to use these words in your life?
July 17, 2002 - 07:54 AM
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As a Korean myself, I suppose I have quite a different point of view. From the majority of the Korean population's point of view, the US is 100 percent to blame. Each side thinks that they are right, and will not budge on any other opinion. Don't get me wrong, I don't find the death of the two schoolgirls justifiable, but it is not only the responsibility of the US Army at hand. I strongly believe that by protesting violently and crying out words of profanity won't get anything across. The Korean public is approaching it in a way that makes the situation non-negotiable. As coldhearted as it may seem, in one way, by investigating to see whose fault the incident was won't change anything. In fact, it might just open wounds that should be left alone. Although it may seem right for the Korean officials to direct the investigation, the US Army does have a voice as well. Instead of fighting who should do what, I think both nations should work together. Afterall, violence hasn't done any good to society so far has it??
-Hye Jin
P.S. don't be offended, it's just an opinion.
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Robert Margolis
Joined: Nov 15, 2000
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Difficult
July 17, 2002 - 07:55 AM
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This is a tough one. I know from my time in Korea that US soldiers are not well liked, however they help deter N. Korea.
I often encountered US military personnel who spent more time in Korea than I did, yet seemed to know less about the country than I. Maybe they were too busy with their specific jobs. It must be scary trying to prepare to fight N. Korea all the time.
Also, maybe I am too much the culture vulture. ;-)
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Aarthy
Joined: Aug 27, 2001
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Re: = True & False = Do you know the way to use these words in your life?
July 17, 2002 - 08:01 AM
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mm.. America will probably take a while to apologize
They are quite blind when it comes to other countries being hurt by them, but when its' their own country, they demand an apology, which is quite weird.
Ah, it was like when you were young and there was that big bully..
If you confronted him/her now, you would see if they really grew up and apologized..
and I am in Canada, and this does not mean I am all out "non-american." Just in that particular issue that's what I think.
War isn't the answer, and if they want to train, they should train in their own country.. ah, but nevertheless they should apologize.
Sorry about the two girls deaths.
;(
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George
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
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I love the logic displayed here.
September 17, 2002 - 04:17 AM
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How many people die each year in automobile accidents. Let us take our friends from the north, oh Canada: According to Transport Canada's Road Safety 1994 Annual Report, not only were 2,945 vehicle occupants killed in transportation accidents in 1993, but also 423 pedestrians, and 84 cyclists. Did each of these people get an apology from say Daimler-Benz or Ford? Let's step it up to the Canadian department of transportation for supporting a product that not might, but will kill people; that being the long streches of road that they upkeep and install.
Let's live in reality. I was in a roll over accident about one year ago. I was hit by a drunk driver, therego that makes me a statistic. Did I ask for the drunk to apologize. He was a mexican migrant worker that was actually drinking as he drove, this according to published reports and an investigation into the event. Maybe I should have the state department contact President Fox. Dear President Fox, please get a hold of your citizens and their drinking problems, oh and apologize. I know that I may not be a cute 14 year girl, but at the ripe age of 25; I as an asian Vietnamese boy deserve much more respect. This especially since my mother and father were boat people and had to basically stare to start a new life or get educated. Thanks Senor Fox.
But I think that the best part is the war comment. Not even the guy from the above message expressed that this event had any pertinence to war. This was the result of an accident that happen to involve a sovereign state. To ask for an appology would be akin to...there is no precedance. Why would I ask South Africa to apologize for allowing DeBeers to operate and monoplize their position and charge me XXX for their diamonds.
Actually, I do not know why I wasting my time here. The Koreans will atest to the fact that this is state-sponsed murder and want an apology for protecting them from North Korea. So here is my apology...I am sorry that we help you out by stationing our teenagers in harm's way to protect your freedom to listen to our music and daydream about our lifestyle. Furthur more I am sorry that your paternal society with all of its rites do not allow you to think clearly especially when ideas of balkinization arise.
Good day.
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Lumumba Kgomotso Bahr G
Joined: Jan 27, 2003
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Re: = True & False = Do you know the way to use these words in your life?
March 11, 2003 - 01:12 AM
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Why would I ask South Africa to apologize for allowing DeBeers to operate and monoplize their position and charge me XXX for their diamonds
Dear Sir, Im so so so sorry but excuse me you got your facts mixedup.De Beeers is not owned by the South African governemnet when the government wanted to introduce mining charter every little rich people cried foul.As you know most African governments are not nationalising mining how can the South African government allow or refuse anyone to or not to charge exorbitant prices fro diamond.De Beers is owned by the stinking rich Oppenheimer family, Anglo American plc and government of Botswana go speak to the shareholders ask them to apologize actually they arent gonna apologize they are here to make money.Priorities are you wanting to buy diamonds if some of them are blood diamonds actually me I think you just might be wanting to be buying books for yourself or your neighborhood.or just donate XXX for fighting Aids and famine in Africa and America.maybe you must consider buying bread for your neighbors it only costs XXX love thy neighbor sir!Tell King George Dubya to stop monopolizing his chieftaincy.
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