Koreans Protest in Seoul / US beef, 5-25-08, HANKYOREH

[redinsam]

strangely...us beef sells real well now again....

[Kilopixie]

the beef issue was the catalyst, however, there were many other issues as well.

[kwankim6292]

this is an embarrasement to the democratic system of korea..... damn socialists... fucking arrest them all

[cedrik2003]

wow all that over some beef, and I though the listeria crisis was huge :)

[Sieceres]

Enlighten me... Why can't they just boycot the beef as consumers?

[Kilopixie]

They feel disenfranchised by their government, and are worried that without open protests, their message wouldn't get out, and that their government will still import "bad" beef anyway. Also, not all beef they purchased is labeled with country of origin. If they order it in a restaurant, for example, they may not know if it came from America or not. The store owner could lie about the country of origin, and there aren't necessarily any laws that protect consumers from this.

[Wooshio]

Such a big-mouthed nation.

[Wooshio]

Korean are famous in violent football. And look at World Cup 2002 , lol , the "most fairplay" World Cup so far , of course , by Korea.

[atmwalking]

Actually the truth is. Koreans actually don't eat a lot of beef. The average family might eat beef once a month. When they do it it's thinly sliced and in really small portions. You can actually live quite well in Korea just eating pork. It's one third the price and since Koreans tend to like their meat well done and marinated it makes more sence to eat pork. These demonstrations are all about venting. Korea is a highly stresses out society.

[willminkorea]

atmwalking- when the US beef is finally available to Koreans, they will swarm all over stores to buy it. You'll see.

[YunSeung]

I would say its because of the FTAs coming along. The new president passed a large amount of it only this year! One of them is US beef, so they're making all this propaganda against it. Plus, alot of people lost their jobs when the FTAs were signed. They will of course fight for their jobs.

[viruschidai]

I think we need the greatest korean scientists to prove that the American Cows are originated from Korean Cows. The problem will be solved.

[Kikari2]

Why do the police have to be so violent....

[obbytoo]

Impeach Lee! We don't want US beef!

[POISAD]

brainwashed country

[mafiaLLLL]

haha, only koreans think the protesters are peaceful. just search on youtube, you can find many violent protests by koreans.

They are purely violent when it comes to protest. I dont think the policemen have done anything wrong, they are just following the order, and trying to maintain order.

[mafiaLLLL]

willminkorea, tell me how is the protest against US mad cow connect to the communism?

[willminkorea]

LOL- so, you actually WANT Kim Jong-Il to rule South Korea? If the US pulls out of South Korea, that's what happens. Good luck with that one. No matter what your pro-communist professors have told you, the communists will murder all of those who "protest" or try to flee.

[enotes9]

thats a bit drastic dont you think wilminkorea? if it weren't for usa medling in koreas affairs in the 50's we wouldn;t have a NORTH and SOUTH korea. american foreign policy LEADS to extremism. DIVIDED korea and now iraq are 2 clear FAILURES. maybe u need better glasses. last time i saw, no one is free to protest in the usa, the usa tortures people and has started more wars than kim jong il

[Wooshio]

Capitalists also murder Communists as well. Look at what they jut found out in South Korea about the "Daejon massacre".

[willminkorea]

"capitalists"? Huh? Wooshio, you must be a communist from North Korea because no one else uses that term to describe South Koreans, Japanese, or Americans. Are you actually Kim Jong-il?

[Wooshio]

Okay, if you do not like that word just because you love working crazily for your bosses, you can say that it was a story between the Noth-commies and the South-non-commies. Both of them are extremists who are making comedies to serve the world.

[Wooshio]

Nonsense ! 1/ Beef is imported and produced through serious safety tests. 2/ Beef is consumed by hundreds of million American and also Korean in USA. 3/ Millions of Koreans go to USA to live and study. 4/ Just stupid people are exploited for politic fights between parties.

[enotes9]

and many americans are not permitted to donate blood in some places quite simply because so many are already infected with the "mad cow" virus.

[Wooshio]

Korea export their goods to other countries but they always try to make obstacles to other countries' export to their country.

[daphast]

sometimes i really feel embarassed to be korean... reminds me of hippies in the US... but decades ago

[SirSabin]

Nah don't worry, our hippies were worse.

[d2clansorc]

you know what really makes me sad about all this though..

is that there's like.. nothing else going on other than a bunch of people screaming meaningless words..

they should all at least enjoy themselves while they're there together..

i dont wanna adhere on either side of this issue but..

they really should have like some bands play some music there and get wasted or something...

[viruschidai]

Let's the scienctists free korean people from dark.

[viruschidai]

Actually I don't know what are you fighting for? Mad cow? If you thought it is substandard beef, just don't buy it.

[tubester4567]

Take to the streets!!! NO US CHUMP CHOPS!!! hahahahah. Ye but seriously i dont think any government would be silly enough to import beef unless they thought it was OK. I'm sure it will be eaten by politicians and there children too. Any way i havent heard about Mad cow disease outbreak in the US for a long time. If there was a problem there would be alot of sick Americans. I say relax my Korean friends.

[vividly1]

hey my american friend, they sell only very young cows in US market. so don't have to eat 30 months old cows which are more dangerous.

but we have to. korean government decided to import meat from US cattle as the contaminated cow is aged 30 months or more.

korea is not a garbage dump. so there is nothing but protest demonstration for us.

[tubester4567]

Ya, well i am a friend from Australia, we have big beef exports to Japan and many places and we never had Mad cow so tell the government Australian Beef is the best. We can make any age cow for you. Sorry but it didnt look very serious to me but whatever.

[jeremywscott]

well, you should check your sources. all age beef is sold in US markets! think please, the beef industries are considering marking the age of the cow when slaughtered now specifically for the Korean. This stand to reason the beef is not being marked by age currently. Why? Because US citizens are not concerned about mad cow disease! We have confidence in our beef. It is a wonderful product and if you're going to say it is substandard you should have the guts to try it first.

[jeremywscott]

please explain then if it is not about Mad Cow disease. I am well versed on the BSE issue, and wether the protests were violent or not there does not seem to be a valid reason for the uproar. If it is more than the beef imports please explain...

[ddongsoon]

I didnt say it is not about Mad Cow disease.

This protest first started from importing US beef. However, now people are complaining about the korean government, why they are not communicating with the people in korea. It's now becoming an anti-LMBpresident protest because his policies are not what the people wanted.

[ddongsoon]

His making the prices higher for medical treatments and using water,which means some people wont be able to get treatments for disease or take a shower everyday and wash their clothes/dishes because it is expensive.

[jeremywscott]

please realize then that opening your closed market to more country will help to lower the cost of everyday prices; making life more affordable here in Korea. Safe US beef will be 30% cheaper than what is currently available here. Do you not want lower prices?

[ddongsoon]

I really want to say to the people who are criticizing koreans that if you dont know the situations well then just dont comment on it. Because even though you guys dont care about our country and just think its a stupid thing.. it is really serious concern to the koreans. Its not all about Mad Cow disease so please dont say something your not sure of.

[ddongsoon]

They were being very peaceful and even though the police were being violent towards them, many people are understanding them because they are just accomplishing the order from korean government.They were claiming for 'non-violency' but the police had to stop their protest by violency.

[ddongsoon]

I dont think you should upload these protest related videos without detailed descriptions.

Because the people who are not koreans are not aware of this situation clearly, they will be biased. If i was a foreigner and i saw this clip i would think its just a bunch of violent koreans protesting. However, i read alot of articles about this and the protester were no way near the word 'violent'

[jeremywscott]

As an American I can say we DO NOT worry about mad cow disease in the US! I would eat a steak off that boat today with no concern to my health. The hysteria here in unwarranted. Koreans, do your homework. Look into these allegations before you go out and protest an issue you don't know about.

[bacaca88]

This issue is bigger than you think; Koreans simply do no want your substandard beef. You think it is OK, so you say what are your qualiications on this matter?

[sodaminthan]

you better do your homework. i guess you really don't know there are anti-downercow movement in usa. also, you are the one who needs to understand what we're fighting for.

[weili42]

this happened in China is called "massacre" , happened in Korea is called "peaceful candy protest". BTW, without US beef, US military there is no South Korea.

[babyboy69mp]

I'm tried of this fucking place. I been station in Korea(Seoul area) for 2 months and they protest about everything. From what I seen this place is dirty, the smells remind me of Afghanistan. Hell they got the bird flu to worry bout. Human Trafficking is crazy over here. They got bigger and better things to worry bout than meat coming from the US like ummm maybe North Korea.

[colin942]

These koreans need a dick in their mouth.

[Akkain]

There hasn't been Mad Cow since 1997. 2003 there was a bone fragment. A BONE FRAGMENT! Not mad cow. Relax people. THere is no foundation for this panic and protest that is occuring in Korea. My wife is Korean and I dare not say anything to her on the subject other than nod and say "uh-huh" because she's just as head strong as everyone else claiming the beef imports are a disgrace to korea....why? She doesn't specify and I don't ask.

[iklu39]

Recently,, it's becoming Anti-gov't protest. US beef is only one reason for this protest. they are regarding with education, privatization policies(Gas, Water, medical insurance), and plan about (making) canal ((across S. Korea) Privatization policy is only for top 1 % rich people (Like President)who dont need to care bout LIFE AND MONEY and he's also killing teenagers (RANK EVERY SCHOOL?? ALLOW TO DO CLASS in 24HRS) it's notanymore only for importing US BEEF but hey are dealing with

[Driving2Heaven]

If Koreans need to realize that their is no such thing as fair between US and Korea in negotiatins because the idea of fair is not possible and it is misplaced in terms of US and Korea. The US economy accounts for most of all world trade. If Korea wants into that privilege, they have to make the compromise, not the US. Life is not fair, and it never will be, so stop your bitching.

[namsam0302]

Driving2Heaven... What?

I don't understand you.

What are you trying to say?

Stop your posts before you learn to write in English.

[Driving2Heaven]

You are a comedian. You do not understand what I wrote because the logic is above your brain's ability. I am asking a question? Who represents the poor Koreans who cannot afford beef because it is 5 times higher than the world price? Not the NGOs? Korean beef is 5 times higher than the world price of beef that the rest of the world enjoys. Because Korea has many poor people, these people cannot afford proper nutrition intake because of beef prices being to high. .

[Driving2Heaven]

Who is holding a candle light vigils for these poor people who are suffering because of greedy Korean beef farmers? The civic groups are not holding a candle light vigil for poor Koreans that cannot afford fair beef prices as farmers steal from them though high prices. Korean NGOs protesting beef don't care about poor people in Korea who would benefit from cheaper beef.

[HotNoodlesForMe]

The cheap price is not sufficient reason that poor people should eat MAD COW.

Every who live in Korea has a right to be happy without worrying about hidden threat like MAD COWs, which are raised by greed US companies.

[Driving2Heaven]

First, you are too emotional to have a rational discussion with. There is not scientific evidence that US beef contains BSE. The OIE rulled US beef safe for export. American farmers hold higher envionmental standards than Korean farmers. American beef is scientifically safe, and legally ruled safe by a UN organization. Secondly, the beef trade deal is a 50/50 exchange. If Korea wants better access to American auto market, it will give better access to Korean beef market.

[Driving2Heaven]

So, since it is rulled scientifically safe, if you are against beef imports, you are against poor people in Korea. Moreover, the US companies are not greedy, but rather just ordinary business, much like Korean ones. Remove your emotion if you want to make any sense in your arguments.

[HotNoodlesForMe]

Do you really trust the "science"?

Science is really emotional one since it can be distorted politically.

We don't want to sell more autos at the cost of the lives of "poor people" who you are worrying about.

[Driving2Heaven]

I trust scientists far more than corrupt NGOs and civic groups who have their own selfish goals not in the best interest of Korean people.

[Driving2Heaven]

Science is the only thing I trust. I trust science above all things. Science created human kind and science made every great invention, including society.

[xxluciferundead07xx]

Lee Myung Bak allowing Mad cow disease into Korea from US and Japan... simply two words... epic fail... Yes... a protest is a rather violent way to try and solve this but it can't be helped. Humans just do things when they come into their mind... It's just a fact that Lee Myung Bak "apologised" too late. Not being racist but Asians are one of the smartest people in the world... he's got to expect somthing like this when saying the "people won't find out" and allowing mad cow disease into Korea..

[Driving2Heaven]

But he is not allowing Mad Cow into Korea. That is your first assumption that is a fail. The OIE ruled US beef safe. Two million Koreans living, visiting, and traveling in American eat beef, and beef over 30 months old. Your paranoia is not scientifically warranted.

[xxluciferundead07xx]

Really?... Hhmmm... But there was also another country he was taking Beef from... (I think it was Japan? Can't remember) but it was all over the news when me and my dad went to South Korea coz it killed one or two people...

...

[hizashinakamaru]

wow... i feel bad for the policeman...

"퐁력경찰 물러가라..." (did i write it right--;)

i mean... since public is acting violently, shouldn't police stop them?? cuz those korean r no way protesting in peaceful manner...so...

SHAME ON U, KOREAN PPL..

[greenerin87]

but i don't think police have right to kick on the girl's head to stop the people's demonstration.

[Driving2Heaven]

People who express emotions in debate highlight the limits of their brain and their ability to think objectively, which highlights their limits to free thinking and innovation, something a grade cannot measure, but something that determines the power of a nation in the long run.

[pluto612]

We hold our position stronly against the country which violates the international health regulations over and over for their own sake. Just eat it up yourself..don't make

people in other countries victims. We are sick of all the theory of power.. Jaysus!

[pluto612]

What a jerk down there?First of all, We raise enough cows to afford Korean population here, it's only America who's crazy about plundering and forcing weaker

countries to sign on 'so called FTA contract'

We don't want to eat your tasteless beef with an injection of Steroid to inflate the weight and deteriorate the quality, which is obviously considered right by most Europeans.

America is only concerned about losing its

power and profit on the international stage.

[mejirodude]

Hello Pluto, I am American but I don't eat much beef. If you are afraid of American beef, can't you just buy Korean beef? I think you can have a choice and the beef package will tell you where it's from. You choose what to eat.

[bacaca88]

Think you and the US Government are getting this message; do not peddle your shit meat products on the World market - especially the markets where people are used to high-quality produce and are better educated than you Yanks.

[Driving2Heaven]

If Americans are less educated, please explain to me how they invented the internet? You emotional freak

[kangjsj]

that was fucin around 30 years ago

now ur fucin the 16 out of 30 countries in education.

[Driving2Heaven]

Dnd number one in innovation still today. You think being ranked high in education means you deserve something? No, being ranked number one, two, three, or four does not mean one deserves anything because what one might think they deserve has no worth in what reality will give them. The US leads the world in innovation, something bring ranked high in education cannot alone produce.

[kangjsj]

no i dont think that. Having a better knowledge on a variety would most likey get a better part of reality.

yah innovation in fucin wepons of mass destruction.

Korea is better in innovation to make people's lives easier like technology and health care.

[Driving2Heaven]

You are basing your comments on feelings, not on facts. The Americans invented every important technology in health that Korea relies on. The US invented the heart bypass, the bandaid, the idea of a blood bank (now the whole world uses), CONTACT Lenses, live saving drugs such as 6-thioguanine (which fights leukemia), Imuran, Zovirax, almost all major technology related to cancer treatment, the assembly line, the idea of a product "Bar Code."You arguments have more anger than facts.

[Driving2Heaven]

This highlights the beef issue in Korea. Americans eat beef 30 months old, but because Koreans lack critical thinking and do not question civic leaders or media, they just continue to believe the untrue myth. So long as you lack critical thinking, and do not learn to question everything, including your civic leaders and professors, you will just follow the tide and never think for yourself, and always lack innovation.

[kangjsj]

how does koreans lack in critical thinking atleast they dont fucin start things with other powerful countries

i dont lack in critical thinking fucin how many disputes u fucin compromised huh?

and hell no u need to get a perspective different than urs rite now

[Driving2Heaven]

Regarding perspective on it, have you read the OIE (UN organization) report on US beef that says it is perfect for consumption and export. I permit logic to dictate my decisions, not out-of-context illogical fear-mongering.

[mejirodude]

shit meat products? If you don't like US cows then don't buy it. I think my Korean friends can handle making a choice of what to buy on their own, without the government. Let's not make every political decision become a racist Korean rant against US or Japan, etc.

[pluto612]

What a jerk down there?First of all, We raise enough cows to afford Korean population here, it's only America who's crazy about plundering and forcing weaker

countries to sign on 'so called FTA contract'

We don't want to eat your tasteless beef with an injection of Steroid to inflate the weight and deteriorate the quality, which is obviously considered right by most Europeans.

America is only concerned about losing its

power and profit on the international stage.

[Driving2Heaven]

Americans eat beef over 30 months old, but one very stupid liberal Korean politician said that they do not, and then the rumor spread out like a children's elementary school. Ohhh, Korea!

[Driving2Heaven]

Most of this anti-beef anxiety is based off lies made by very uneducated Korean teachers and Civic Group members. Koreans trust Civic Groups and teachers too much. Stupidity. Developed nations do not behave like this with illegal protests that were not approved through proper paperwork, but not all of Korea is yet developed.

[Driving2Heaven]

Ha Ha. Nationalism. The real loser here are the poor Koreans who cannot afford to eat beef at the world price of beef that over 90 other countries eat that is American beef. So a few very stupid Korean doctors tried to argue American beef is not safe, but they are nationalistic morons with a 3rd world education. Oh yeah, thats right, in Korea, you can die from a fan in a closed room. Stupid doctors.

[bacaca88]

Better to be vegetarian than eat crap US beef. Keep your shit meat in the US and make big BBQ. Your beef tasteless and full of chemicals to please fat American public. Rather eat carrots than become sterile eating your 'beef'. Get the picture moron???????

[Driving2Heaven]

That is not for you to decide. :) It is for the majority of Korean less nationalistic and less stupid than you..

[kangjsj]

go die from cancer

[thankulord13]

You are talking a lot of shit for an ass who comes from a country where Mad Cow was running rampant with in the last 10 years (England) but I realized your sad ass is in The Philippines because you are one of those White Euro Trash who can't find no one in your own country, so let's go to East Asia because they will marry anyone who is White!

[soyu7]

Republic of Korea on May 25th at 5:00 A.M.

The police forced citizens to break up and stop the demo.

Korea gave up their supremacy of medical inspection and

present it to the U.S.A. and forced the citizens to eat the U.S.A cows.

The government is lying to the citizens. They are saying that there is no madcow disease.

They think the citizens are idiot and know nothing, but we are not.

[Driving2Heaven]

because they are idiots

[mejirodude]

Hello. How can you be "forced" to eat American beef? Why don't you just buy Korean beef if you are afraid of US Beef.

[dida1209]

What about the students who are "forced" to eat the school lunch? And the military? Also, beef is used in other products such as make-up and pills. There was a vegetarian who got mad cow disease.

[bacaca88]

This is why Korean people are complaining as they do not trust their own government; they simply do not want substandard US beef products in their country. And who can blame them?

[soyu7]

The citizens raised the candles and went out to the street to defend their childrens,friends, and parents.

The citizens wanted peace but the Korean government used the military power to break them up and suppressed them by force.

The Korean government is blocking and infringing on freedom of speech.

No Major News have reported what happend on this day and lying that the citizens were crucial and were instigated by the opposition paty.

[soyu7]

There's no freedom on this country.

This was a problem of mad cows from U.S.A. but

now, this is problem of our future and this country.

We want the freedom. This is not 1980s.

But .. The government is going back to 1980s, which when there was no freedom of speech and when there was only a dictatorship.

We don't want to go back.

[Driving2Heaven]

but their is no scientific evidence of Mad Cow in the US. Their is however bird flu in Korea.

[kangjsj]

There fucin trying to prevent it

like the bird flu America was trying to when it was said that it was in Canada

[greenerin87]

AI has no scientific evidence either.

[Driving2Heaven]

but their is scientific evidence that US beef is safe. Look, the US and Korea will never have an equal partnership, not in negotiations, not in anything. the sooner Koreans realize that, the sooner they will stop crying and freaking out. The US has military relations with over 50 nations and trade relations with possibly over 200 nations. Korea is just one of them, nothing special about Korea to the US.

[sicsoma]

maybe not to the US government, but 'something special' about Korea and their beef consumption habits- to the american beef industry.

corporations (a few individuals, out 4 profit)

government (a few individuals representing all)

[Driving2Heaven]

Who represents the poor Koreans who cannot afford beef because it is 5 times higher than the world price? Not the NGOs, no, because they don't care about poor Koreans.

[amu1121]

too sad!!!

[samong25]

아앗!!! 저 별 다섯개 눌러야는데 실수로 2개 눌렀어요orz 저 경찰들 누구의 경찰이냐!!!!!!!!!이~정부의 딸랑이들아!!!!!

[in2u143]

What da...