"Where's the beef . . . . from?'

     My walk home from work takes me right passed the train station. I discovered that it is also the location political protests are held in Suncheon. On my walk home this night,  I encountered another candlelight vigil in progress. (There have been three since I moved here three weeks ago.) The protest usually entails a peaceful crowd holding candles and quietly nodding as tag-teaming speakers spit angrily into megaphones. Between speakers, a small group of people in white robes pound on traditional Korean drums with such fervor it feels like a second heart beat in my chest. I cross the street and avoid getting involved even periphally with the anxious crowd. 

   I have inquired with the other foriegners about what all the protesting is about with out much of an answer. One teacher told me that other protests must of have been about the Iraq war because her boyfriend, who was Iraqi, was called by his consulate and instructed not to attend any protests over the weekend. When I returned to my apartment, another teacher who lives in my building called me to say it was NOT dangerous, but probably best if I stayed in tonight considering there were protests going on this day nationwide (remember, the state of Michigan is Larger than entire country of South Korea) and there was one happening right on my perverbial front lawn. She told me that I should be fine because I am female "and they usually leave the women alone." She also told me that the most the protesters have ever done to any foriegner is throw rotton vegetables at them as they passed by. This is enough information to keep me avoiding any other "peaceful protest" for my entire stay in South Korea. 

    I turned on my TV in an attempt to solve the civil dissodant mystery to find broadcasts of enormous vigils going on in Seoul and Busan. It all seemed very important but the language barrier again . . . so it was eventually through the internet surf of the information super highway that I finally discovered the purpose for all of the mayhem: American beef. Yes, yes, beef. The South Koreans were very upset with their president for making, what was considered by most be, a snakey and secretive deal with President Bush exporting American beef that the citizen's of Korea deemed unsuitable. Now almost the entire country is convinced they all will get mad cow disease and die. The protests, apparently, had an effect because a cabinet member resigned that very day in response to the uproar. After talking with some of my students later they explained the issue further: The citizens of S. Korea were outraged at their president for doing something for money that threatened the health of his country, which they take very, very seriously. In their minds, the wrong person was removed from office and this is one of many instances that this president (4 months into his 8 year term) had made desicions which benefit him financially at the expense and safety of his people. (perhaps this sounds familar?) I am reminded once again that although democracy boasts rule by the people, capitalism always discriminates.