Anti-Americanism Goes Freudian
This post by the Marmot is a must-read.
As represented by USFK’s illegal release of formaldehyde into the Han River, the tragedy on the Korean Peninsula began with the unclean sperm of the United States fertilizing the egg of the Han River. The monster’s outrages and its eating of people shows the similar tyranny displayed by the United States toward the Korean Peninsula.
Let me see if I can find just the right words for my reaction to this:
ick.
I honestly have no idea why or how anyone can sustain an alliance with people who think like this. This is no ordinary schmoe in a pojang-macha, mind you, but an elected lawmaker of South Korea’s ruling Uri party. Like his hate-spewing colleagues Kim Won-Ung and Chang Young-Dal, his government will assuredly not ask him to withdraw or apologize for his remarks, which will speak volumes about Uri’s cynical calculation of how its voters really feel about them.
Views like these are not confined to the margins. They could be Korea’s demographic future. If Koreans honestly can’t make relative value judgments between democracy and juche, if they can’t distinguish between us protecting them at their request and to their immeasurable benefit, and polluting them with our unclean seed, it might be time to carry this disturbed analogy to its logical conclusion and pull out. And wash.
Incidentally, if you are wondering how all this fuss started to begin with, read this.
Now to the mortician: In February of 2000, civilian mortician Albert McFarland, employed by the US Forces in Korea (USFK), ordered his staff to dispose of about 120 liters of embalming fluid down a drain in the mortuary at the US Army base at Yongsan in the center of Seoul.
The fluid had been treated at two waste-treatment plants before reaching the Han River, where this capital city gets its drinking water, and later simulation tests indicated the fluid was not toxic when it reached the water. Still, it created a furor.
For those who have never lived near or smelled the Han River for themselves, it’s not exactly virgin spring water, and I suppose what’s missing from this discussion is some context, which we get, thanks to usinkorea:
It is shocking news that 29 timber companies were found to have released 271 tons of formalin over the past three years into streams feeding the Han River, the main source of drinking water for Seoul and Kyonggi Province.
[….]
There is further speculation that the relevant authorities may have turned a blind eye to the timber companies’ illegal practices despite knowing full well that they were dumping the toxic chemicals.
Environmental experts believe that millions of people in Seoul and Kyonggi Province may have been subjected to a water supply containing the poisonous chemical for much longer than three years.
Some of these folks were arrested, although nothing suggested that anyone was jailed or convicted, as opposed to being let off with a fine. But the discussion is about the rational basis for the public outrage here, and I suppose we can conclude that the cleanliness of the Han River, or lack thereof, was not it.
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These types of scenarios are all to common here. Any reason to hate the US is exploited. Never mind that formaldehyde is in their favorite drink (soju).
The government does nothing to calm the situations down; in fact, they fan the flames and pat each other on the back for doing so.
Once again, it’s high time we leave. You can’t be friends with people like this, NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.
I know Richardson…arms race, they’re good people, not all of them are like this, etc., etc. etc.
I’ve spent 5 non-consecutive years in this spiteful country. They’ve always been like this, it’s only now that they feel they don’t have to repress it. I want to be at a safe distance (Japan) when this country (including NK) implodes.
We used to remind people like Mr. Forman who went on and on ad infinitum about how terrible it is in Korea that the planes from Kimpo go two ways. Now the airport’s in Incheon, but the message is the same.
When you talk about how “people like this” have “always been like this,” it shows how interested you are in talking to someone who might have a little different background and opinion than you do. To me, that doesn’t seem like an attitude that will help to understand others instead of just assuming you are right.
Don’t get me wrong, I think “number one” thinking by Koreans is hilarious. But so is “number one” thinking by Americans. Hope you’re happier somewhere else.
Like I said, I’ve spent years in S. Korea, not as a tourist, as a US Soldier. When it comes time to leave, it’s not a tearful departure.
You probrably read the countless negative newspaper articles about US Soldiers, see the demonstrations on TV (that I witness first hand), hear about US Soldiers being exploited, and just say, “Oh well, at least it’s not me.”
Forgive me for getting a little tired of helping people who have forgotten how to say “Thanks.”
Oh, and if you have a different background or opinion, I’d love to hear it.
We should clarify that the Asia Times article linked to above cited the “charge” against Al McFarlane not the truth. He ordered his staff to clean up the mortuary not to dump the formaldehyde. Unfortunately, dumping the formaldehyde has been common practice for years so 120 liters pales in comparison to the actual amount over the years…perhaps the reason why USFK leaders were content to give McFarlane 30 days restriction only and not publish the full details of the incident.
Nevertheless, the Korean employee who photographed the “damage” being done made no attempts to stop it nor did he warn anyone against the action before relaying the photos on to Green Korea.