Koreans are like Americans: Sharp Divide Along Party Lines

Featured Image: Reuters

Here's how Koreans view politics in a nutshell: Younger people love Moon Jae-In and like the fact that he's doing his best to build relations between North and South Korea and they're okay with President Moon helping North Korea financially. Older people in South Korea are very conservative, have experienced the Korean War, and are very leery of North Korea. Any help by a South Korean president towards a North Korean leader is seen as treasonous. They also seem to love Trump because he's a Republican and Republicans have historically been tough on North Korea. Ironically, Trump is actually pretty soft on North Korea, but don't tell them that. Politics are similar to American politics since they support a president based on their party politics. And although age isn't a huge determinant in American politics like it is in Korea, it is still somewhat of a factor. Millenials seem to vote for Democrats while people over 55 are more likely to vote Republican. However, race is a bigger factor in American politics.

Also, with regards to politics, something interesting happened to be on the subway (There's never a dull moment in Seoul, by the way) last week. An older man, in his 60s, was sitting in the seats reserved for elderly and disabled people. As soon as he gets up, he quickly puts a yellow sticker on the wall of the subway saying “Resign President Moon Jae In” and then runs to the next car. A woman in her 40s, who was standing near the sticker peels the sticker off, folds it up and puts it in her pocket after he leaves. People have strong viewpoints in Seoul as you have seen from the recent boycott of Japanese products in South Korea.

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

How Serious is the Boycott of Japan in Korea?

Lately, South Korea is livid with Japan and my students are not going to Japanese stores and refuse to travel to Japan based on a trade war that Shinzo Abe seemed to have started. The boycotts have caused Uniqlo to close shop in Seoul and Japanese restaurants have slowed down sales unless they have signs on the door like the one in this blog post. You can read about how Japanese businesses are affected below:

Uniqlo Set to Close Store Amid Anti-Japan Boycotts of Cars, Beer, and Holidays-Telegraph (UK) August 9, 2019

South Koreans Shun Japanese Products and Tours as Boycott Gathers Momentum- The Japan Times- August 5, 2019

I just recently went to a Japanese restaurant during lunch time in the business district and was shocked at how bare it was. This is the worst boycott since the American beef boycott in Seoul a while back and since it's Japan (Korea's arch rival in sports and an infamously historical rival), this could easily be the worst.

Here's a great video of why people are boycotting Japan and while most people are for the boycott, you'll see a couple Koreans that think the boycott will just end up hurting Korea and Japan in the long run:

Why Koreans Are Boycotting Japan- August 4, 2019

Many people believe that the boycott is not about trade relations and Korea losing some money from its semiconductor business. They believe it's Japan's colonial history, Korea's opinion that Japan has never apologized for their behaviors during their occupation between 1910-1945 (although they actually have and paid compensation), and the "comfort women" issue. Here's a great article explaining why the boycott is happening and what the US has tried to do to mediate the differences:

The South Korea and Japan Trade War, Explained- Vox- August 9, 2019

The sad thing is that I love both countries for different reasons. Korea has been my home for almost 16 years and I've been treated very well here. But I've also traveled to various cities in Japan (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Kyoto) and found the people to be very kind and welcoming to non-Japanese people. I sincerely hope that one day those two countries can have a strong relationship because they're both great places to live and/or visit.

Not only that, but it will also help with regards to the denuclearization of North Korea. Notice how North Korea has been testing missiles quite often lately? That's not a coincidence.

Get with it Korea and Japan and grow up. You need each other and the safety of the Far East depends on it!

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy