[Brian's stuff]There’s phony baloney at beef protests
What can I say. Rallies have become chic, just like basketball sneakers coming back again.A decade ago, there were 7,684 registered protests. Last year that number stood at 11,904. The latest one I witnessed was a protest over the import of U.S. beef ? what else!
The area surrounding City Hall was cordoned off by police but I had to get to Myeong-dong in my car. I made it by driving back allies, making U-turns and slaloming between pedestrians. On my way I saw scores of protesters screaming slogans and wielding candles and banners.
Ah, how beautiful. Democracy at its best. I couldn’t care less about the arguments for and against U.S. beef imports. I think both sides have legit claims. The rest is baloney. Culture Minister Yu In-chon claims that foreign tourism to the country has diminished. Pleeeeease. Demonstrators argue that one bite of U.S. beef may get you killed. Right.
What angers me is the participation of professional protesters in the crowd.
Let me explain. There is this right wing nut group called Hwalbindang. The group follows events and adds its two cents of “wisdom” every time.
When the Dokdo Islets, also known as Takeshima in Japan, are at stake, a hwalbindang member is bound to appear in front of the Japanese Embassy or the Foreign Ministry and threaten to slash his stomach. Sometimes they do. “Blood” comes out.
I have seen it. I mean, I have seen how red pepper tucked under clothing is ripped apart with a knife and red-pepper-blood comes out. You should see it. The guy who does it looks so serious. The whites of the eyes are the only thing you’ll see when the ritual is performed.
Reporters who have been around long enough have a good laugh. Riot police new to the scene don’t. They rush to prevent a suicide. Reporters laugh even harder. On Saturday, I saw Hwalbindang members preparing to do their thing.
Such people are everywhere and then things get out of hand and the blame game begins. I saw the student demonstrations of the 1980s when college students were pitched against riot police.
That was serious. Nowadays, demonstrating is more about mob mentality. Scream first. Ask why later.
I have seen teenagers in the subway join rallies because they were bored. It’s like dancing to the Wonder Girls’ hit song “So Hot.” The difference is that other lives get interrupted.
Following a trend without much thought is lame. At least have a legit cause, otherwise you look stupid.
By Brian Lee Staff Reporter [africanu@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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