A Critical Viewpoint of South Korean Anti-Americanism

Abstract

Hundreds of thousands of South Korean people showed up at candlelight vigils in 2002 and 2008, protesting the U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), and U.S. beef imports respectively. Why? Fear of mad cow disease? An unequal relationship between South Korea and the U.S.? Yes, but there are deeper reasons, especially politico?ideological ones. Political leaders connive, take advantage of, and promote anti?Americanism. Anti?capitalist and pro?North Korean forces in South Korea wear a costume of anti?Americanism that disguises their ideological disposition. This anti?Americanism can often be regarded as nationalism, anti?foreign influence, or the idea of national independence. Anti?American demonstrations in front of the Seoul Yongsan Garrison of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), became part of everyday life, even though no particular issue was being protested. These demonstrations cannot be explained without the consideration of the politico?ideological characteristics of South Korean anti?Americanism. The political motives and ideological orientation of South Korean anti?Americanism are much more important than any other psychological or sociological sources of anti?Americanism. South Korean anti?Americanism is a product of South Korean domestic politics rather than a product of American foreign policy. Remove italics for entire abstract