Over the last few years I can't help but feel that the U.S. and Korean ties are weakening while the U.S.'s ties with Japan are getting stronger.

Has President Roh's rise to power hurt Korea's ties with the U.S.? Meaning his use of the 2 school girls killed to envoke Korean nationalism and mass Anti-U.S. rallies? Also, the rallies around Pyongtaek and Inchoen have not helped Korea's image in America. Even Hillary Clinton bashed South Korea!

I also think the U.S. may feel that Japan is a better ally in Asia. They pay almost 100% of America's military installation costs. Korea pays less than 50%.

Poll after poll in Korea shows that the Korean youth feel that America is the bigger threat to South Korea, almost 5-1, than North Korea!

Will Korean pride and nationalism end up destroying the U.S. Korean alliance? We already see the U.S. consolidating their forces in Korea and slowly giving back control to South Korea. The next step may be to exit the country all together.

Any thoughts?

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Just my humble opinion!

Not sure what polls you are referring to Mike, but a lot of the polls are skewed... and basically they're written up in the papers with an agenda. Ask around yourself when you get to Korea... I truly don't believe a majority of people dislike America and Americans. As far as the US being more of a threat than north Korea... that's just silly. :P

As far as the US being more of a threat than north Korea... that's just silly.

It is true that this perception is not only shared by the younger gen it is also the perception of several professors. The perception stems from the believe that nK will not come south and rattle their sabers over threats of nuclear production. They believe this is only to receive more assistance. The US perceives this as a threat and may take military action. When you claim that a majority of Koreans do not like Americans I would concur with one exception. The younger gen disagrees with the American policies similar to the way we also disagree with some of the policies. It is not personal rather political perspectives. Some of the pictures I have seen with the radical groups burning the flag and standing on military equip should have never occurred.

Guys take a look at this post.

Here are a few polls:

In 2004, Research & Research carried out a survey to find out which country is the key enemy of Korea. According to the study, people aged between 20s to 40s picked the U.S. (57.9 percent in their 20s, 46.8 percent in their 30s and 36.3 percent in their 40s) as Korea's biggest enemy.

The Joong-ang Ilbo, a mass-circulation South Korean daily, recently conducted a poll. Here are the results. 54 precent want the U.S. army out of Korea, only 42 precent think North Korea is a threat, a mere 17 percent consider America as their favorite foreign country, a whopping 62 percent dislike the U.S.A., 13 percent believe North Korea is most important to their economy, while 35 percent think America benefits them most.

There is an excellent article in the link above.

Mike

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