Diverse groups hold protests as anti-Americanism spreads

Anti-American feelings after the acquittals of two American soldiers charged with negligent homicide in the June road deaths of two Korean girls are spilling over from nearly every segment of Korean society. Singers, athletes, clergy and students have all joined the chorus of boos aimed at the United States.

"Change the SOFA right Now! Bush, openly apologize to Korea!" singer Lee Jeong-hyeon chanted at a recent protest against the acquittals. Protesters demanded changes to the Status of Forces Agreement, the rules governing U.S. troops in Korea.

Yoon Do-hyoun, front man for the rock band that bears his name, extended his middle finger to a picture of U.S. President George W. Bush during a recent performance. Mr. Yoon said his next project will be an anti-U.S. song, tentatively titled "Nino and Walker Armored Vehicle Murder Case," in reference to the U.S. Army sergeants acquitted in the case.

The Korea Professional Baseball Player's Association said it too would announce a statement impeaching the U.S. army. Lee Seung-yeop, the Samsung Lions star, said, "I just cannot believe that the U.S. Army is treating their deaths like nothing."

More than 100 members of Korea Women's Associations United yesterday morning rallied near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, holding a traditional service in front of the compound for the repose of the souls of the two girls.

Monks of the Jogye Buddhist Order, which recently formed a commission to protest crimes by U.S. soldiers in Korea, yesterday gathered in front of Jogyesa temple in central Seoul and held a traditional ceremony to pray for the revision of the SOFA.

A group of Seoul National University law students held a mock trial in front of the university library. Sergeant Fernando Nino and Sergeant Mark Walker were each found "guilty" and sentenced to five years in prison.

by Chun Su-jin