South Koreans online are split on North's nuclear maneuver

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South Koreans online are split on North's nuclear maneuver

North Korea's withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty has spurred hot debate on the Internet. Koreans were united in online protest over the death of the two girls crushed by a U.S. military vehicle, but opinions over the North's pullout from the pact are sharply divided.

"If the problem could have been settled through dialogue, we could have solved the issue long time ago," wrote Lee Jae-ho on one site.

But others disagreed. "We are citizens of one Korea," wrote a person identified only as "an astronaut." "We should be able to say what we want without the interference of the United States."

A person with the ID "potino" said, "North Korea is a country apart from us, and we should not abandon our values to support them."

Many people online criticized both the United States and North Korea. "Even if North Korea submits to the United States, they are like poisonous toads surrendering to the snake," wrote Park Gwi-ju.

Daum, a local portal site, asked people what they think the best solution is to the North's nuclear issue. Out of the 9,200 who had participated by Sunday afternoon, 33.5 percent said the issue must be solved through direct dialogue between South and North Korea, compared with 28.6 percent who said the U.S.-Korea alliance should intensify pressure on the North.

Many messages encouraged Koreans to participate in online surveys being conducted by CNN concerning the North's nuclear stand.


by Moon Byung-joo
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