Anti-Americanism signals drastic change in South Korea

Yoichi Funabashi, The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo

Viewed from another angle, anti-Americanism could be interpreted as a growing affinity for China in terms of geography, history and culture.

While in Washington, I attended an international conference, organized by Georgetown University, on South Korean attitudes toward the United States. The debate made me realize once again the complexity of the background that forms South Korea's anti- American sentiment.

A hundred years ago, South Koreans emigrated to Hawaii to work on the sugarcane plantations. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the cease-fire agreement ending the Korean War. A number of events are planned in both countries to commemorate U.S.-South Korea friendship.

During the Korean War, the U.S. and South Korea fought side by side against the North, which had the backing of China and the Soviet Union. Since then, the two nations have continued to build on their friendship as allies. But despite this shared history, anti-American sentiment in South Korea continues to mount.

South Koreans feel that Americans "look down on" the Korean people. They are unhappy that U.S. military bases remain in the center of the capital, that U.S. soldiers continue to commit crimes against the locals, that the South Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement makes light of South Korean sovereignty and that U.S.-centered globalization leaves behind those without connections to the U.S. Demonstrators shout "Yankee go home!" and burn the American flag.

According to Charles Armstrong, an associate professor at Columbia University, for the first time ever, South Korea's anti- U.S. sentiment is stronger than its antipathy toward Japan.

When asked whether the U.S. is useful to South Korea, 52 percent of South Koreans said no in a recent public opinion poll. Until a little while ago, 15 percent gave this response.

Anti-American sentiment is especially apparent among young people. As evidenced by the enthusiasm of the fans who cheered for the South Korean Red Devils during last year's World Cup, South Korean youth who grew up in an affluent society are proud and patriotic. They don't really feel that they have been protected by the U.S. On the contrary, they think the U.S. is standing in the way of the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. They even seem to find delight in the way Kim Jong-il is leading the U.S. around by the nose.

The issue of U.S. bases also presents a serious problem.

"The bases are working to split South Korean society, not to integrate it," a South Korean scholar said at the conference.

South Koreans are beginning to feel that the presence of U.S. bases is a hindrance to the reunification of the Korean Peninsula and the unity of the Korean people.

For their part, some Americans are showing undisguised displeasure at the rising anti-Americanism in South Korea. For example, Richard Allen, former presidential assistant on national security affairs, is pressing South Korea to side with either North Korea or the U.S. Others are calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea.

Meanwhile, key South Korean officials are desperately trying to humor the U.S. They say that the demonstrators' call for a revision of the Status of Forces Agreement is based on the assumption that the U.S. military presence will continue and, therefore, the demonstrations are not anti-U.S.

An anti-American movement also raged in South Korea during the 1980s. Many at the conference warned against making a big deal of current anti-Americanism, saying Americans need not worry too much.

Here is sample of what was said:

"Nongovernmental organizations and society have begun to voice various opinions. It is a sign that South Korean democracy is growing."

"The criticism stems from the people's desire to make U.S.- South Korea relations more equal."

"It's more anti-war sentiment than anti-Americanism. It shows the people's desire for unification and peace."

Under the circumstances, the presence of U.S. troops in the country is being cast in a new light. In the past, they were regarded as "hostages" ensuring that the U.S. would not abandon South Korea. Now they are seen as virtually a "necessary evil" whose use is inevitable.

As Georgetown University professor Victor Cha described the dilemma: If the "sunshine policy" succeeds, more people will say the U.S. troops are unnecessary, while if it fails, they will blame it on the U.S. troops.

The intricacies of the circumstances behind South Korea's anti-Americanism must be noted. Still, I see it as an omen of a drastic change.

Viewed from another angle, it could be interpreted as a growing affinity for China in terms of geography, history and culture. Last year, the number of South Korean students in China is believed to have surpassed the number in the U.S. More South Koreans are moving away from the U.S. in terms of language. It appears the traditional South Korean inclination toward China is re-emerging.

By cleverly tapping into anti-American sentiment, Roh Moo-hyun was swept into power in the South Korean presidential election in December. His victory not only reflects a new perspective among the people, but shares something in common with the way German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder played the anti-Iraq war and anti- American cards to win re-election in Germany.

During the Cold War, Germany and South Korea were frontline fortresses in the battle against communism. This is all the more reason to take note of the role that anti-Americanism played in the national elections of these two countries.

At the conference, a South Korean participant jokingly said: "In South Korea, when couples divorce after a quarrel, we call it a `sundown divorce,' because both sides go down. Both the U.S. and South Korea must do everything they can to avoid such a situation."

What sounded like forced laughter could be heard coming from the audience.