[Opinion] Emotional Anti-Americanism

One famous conservative politician stated in some political meeting, concerning Anti-America, which is expanding after athlete Kim Dong-Sung`s short track event, saying“ is gold medal so much important? It should not endanger alliance relationship between Korea-U.S. ”

However, the perception that considers criticism of the U.S. unconditionally as risky or we should endure for the sake of friendship through alliance despite being stolen of Olympic gold medal, is problem.

If young athlete was deprived of his sweating achievement for 4 years by some stupid wrong judgment, it is obvious for people to get furious.

19 year old athlete Anton Ono, who won despite his injury which happened four days ago from the match, became hero in the U.S; however, he became a cunning swindler who stole gold medal, in Korea.

Really, did athlete cheat by Hollywood action?

Or did athlete Kim cross the track?

According to domestic athletics personnel who went to the U.S. Salt Lake city where Winter Olympics was held, there were mixed opinion among ice sports experts who watched the match and verified video tape.

There was someone who had an opinion that it was not wrong judgment, among Korean ice sports experts.

However, it is hard to speak out such story unless and until he has mind to die in front of patriotic storm which was coming like wave.

Opinion is free; however, the fact is holy.

If it`s Korean, everybody wants to believe that athlete Kim was the real owner of gold medal; however, enthusiasm of patriotism can make the eye of judgment vague.

Referee who disqualified athlete Kim was Australian.

Then, it should be anti-Australia not anti-America.

However, if Australian referee`s judgment was right contrary to Korean belief, it becomes imperative for us to infringe U.S. ice sports hero who was born in Salt lake, on the basis of wrong perception.

After athlete Kim issue, 100 anti- American sites came up on internet.

There are many people who giggle watching media players who beat and abuse Bush.

Songs of anti-America that became popular on internet, asks America to deprive of gold medal and condemn the U.S. as `thief`, `robber`, etc.

Although we admit wrong judgment in short track event, it is too advanced to reach to conclusion that we should withdraw `Yankee` who disturbs peace of the South-North and reunification.

The U.S is being criticized by the whole world after Bush administration resumed office, as it manages one sided policy such as secession from climate agreement, consideration about using nuclear and urgent limitation on imports steel, etc.

We can`t stay quiet on these, either.

Before Government used to arrest Anti- American as violating national security law, saying that Anti- America makes North profitable, however it was wrong application of law in dark era.

To pile high tariff wall of 30 percent on imported steel in order to protect steel industry which has weak competitive power, spoils world free trade order and is against U.S people`s interest.

The U.S. that has received international cooperation regarding war on terrorism should not behave like this.

However, there are no appropriate means for Korean to revenge, because our exports depend on the U.S. market.

It is an inevitable reality.

It is o.k. to criticize the U.S. and it is possible to take revenge regarding gold medal, however, it should be based on exact facts and perception of reality.

There is a word called `use America` in place of pro-America.

To pursue actual interest by responding international order which is led by the U.S is neither toadyism nor defeatism.

Emotional Anti Americanism, which closes eyes in reality have the making of earning sarcasm like anachronistic ultra nationalism.

Hwang Ho- Taek (Editorial Writer)