N. Korea standoff elicits spectrum of student reactions

The recent turmoil in North Korea has evoked a range of opinions from Korean and Korean-American students. Some expressed stern condemnation of the country while others said they understood its actions but ultimately disapproved.

During the past two months, North Korea has reinstated its nuclear weapons program despite a 1994 agreement to suspend production.

The nation has defied international pressure and claimed that sanctions imposed by foreign countries will be construed as an act of war. While North Korea continues to seek talks with the United States, the Bush Administration refuses to negotiate until the nuclear program is halted.

Korean and Korean-American students were generally disturbed by the actions of North Korea, though to varying degrees.

"It is very upsetting to see something like this happen since it does absolutely nothing to promote peace," said John Park '04, president of the Korean-American Student Association.

However, other students reacted more harshly, expressing a complete distrust of the country.

"We [America] should not have trusted North Korea in the first place," said Jae-Young Lee '06, a native of South Korea. "We should never have helped them."

Meanwhile, some students were sympathetic and said they understood the rationale behind North Korea's actions.

"This is a plea for help, not an act of aggression," said Juewon Khwarg '05, KASA secretary. "North Korea is attempting to negotiate more economic aid from this situation."

Though North Korea's actions appear to be comparable to the recent question of nuclear arms in Iraq, students called for the need to recognize the differences between the two.

"While it is a sensitive and dangerous issue, this is not another Iraq," Khwarg said.

Some students said the international community must help North Korea reintegrate itself into the global sphere.

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"There should be resolution through dialogue and not military action," said Brian Cho '06, who was born in America but has relatives in South Korea.

Khwarg expressed similar sentiments, saying that other countries should help North Korea realize the danger of its position.

In terms of the United States role, many Korean and Korean-American students expressed the need for America to be open and cautious.

"I hope that America does not overreact," Khwarg said. "We have to understand that North Korea is a very desperate nation."

Some students said it was unfair for the United States to simply demand that North Korea stop their nuclear program, since America has not completely complied with the 1994 agreement. They said America must exchange something, such as increased economic aid, in return for a concession.

Students also cautioned America to be careful because of the recent flare of anti-American sentiment in South Korea.

"I was in Korea over Winter Break and Koreans there perceive things very differently [than most Koreans in America]," Park said. "There is still an anti-American sentiment."