[Letter to the editor]Don’t blame the United States
Published: 02 Aug. 2007, 21:44
I am baffled. I sit here reading headlines across the wide spectrum of the South Korean media and all I see is how the hostage situation in Afghanistan is becoming the fault of the United States and the responsibility of the United States to resolve. Am I surprised? Of course not. Spinning any situation into anti-Americanism is South Korea’s national pastime ― it is inevitable. South Korean citizens were abducted by terrorists, what part of that do you not understand? The United States does not negotiate with terrorists, which part of that do you not understand? The responsibility to protect South Korean citizens belongs to the South Korean government, are you beginning to understand now?
Over the past five years, you have laid out your case for an equal political relationship with the United States. You have asked the United States to allow your government to handle its own affairs without intervention from the imperialist Americans. Now, come full circle, you are saying your government is helpless to solve this problem and once again demand intervention from the United States. Korea always wants to have its cake and eat it, too. Well, it doesn’t work that way. Your elected officials all the way to the top need to have a spine and accept their responsibility, period.
The United States would not negotiate for the release of its own hostages, therefore it will not barter a deal for South Koreans. What part of this do you not understand? Although your options may be limited, the fact remains they are your options, not anyone else’s. Derek Ball, Seoul
Over the past five years, you have laid out your case for an equal political relationship with the United States. You have asked the United States to allow your government to handle its own affairs without intervention from the imperialist Americans. Now, come full circle, you are saying your government is helpless to solve this problem and once again demand intervention from the United States. Korea always wants to have its cake and eat it, too. Well, it doesn’t work that way. Your elected officials all the way to the top need to have a spine and accept their responsibility, period.
The United States would not negotiate for the release of its own hostages, therefore it will not barter a deal for South Koreans. What part of this do you not understand? Although your options may be limited, the fact remains they are your options, not anyone else’s. Derek Ball, Seoul
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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