Koreans around the World Unite in Protest   2008-06-10 23:54

Our People's protests have earned a fair amount of publicity abroad. Most major broadcasting stations and newspapers, including CNN, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, and TIME, have reported on our situation. Still, misunderstandings abound. Some have dismissed our concerns about beef trade with the U.S. as just another example of anti-Americanism. Most pay no attention to the fact that beef trade is just one of the many issues that have combined to unite the People against Lee Myung-Bak's administration. Thankfully, Koreans living abroad have taken it upon themselves to inform their neighbors about the real issues:

(1) That the Korean government is trying to import beef and beef products that aren't normally sold to U.S. consumers and hence not normally the subject of anti-BSE regulations;

(2) That the Korean government has refused to consult public opinion not only on this issue but also on numerous other issues as well; and

(3) That the Korean government has been ruthlessly suppressing all dissenting voices, even to the extent of ordering the police to use violence against unarmed women and 14-year-olds.

Demonstrations have been held by overseas Koreans in almost 20 cities worldwide. Here are some of the photographs. You might have seen them in your neighborhood! (Sorry, not everyone could wait until nightfall to light candles, if that was what you were expecting.)

1. Berlin, Germany

2. Frankfurt, Germany

3. London, England

4. Los Angeles, United States

5. New York, United States

6. Seattle, United States

7. Sydney, Australia

8. Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

9. Vancouver, Canada

10. Washington, D.C., United States

Other cities in which Koreans held demonstrations include Paris, France; and Chicago, United States (We couldn't obtain photographs of these demonstrations.) If you live in a city where there is a significant Korean population, watch out for more demonstrations. We're all working hard to bring to your awareness what's going on in our troubled country.

All photographs have been taken from Ohmynews.