The ever-popular anti-globalization protesters versus riot police clashes were given ample media coverage over the time the Korea-US FTA was being negotiated. In particular, the peculiar Korean habit of self-immolation made popular during student protests in the 80s against martial law was displayed yet again as a taxi driver decided to torch himself. (Before deciding to do so, someone should have explained the Balassa-Samuelson effect to the poor guy. It is hard to see how this cabbie will be negatively affected in his occupation. Indeed, he should pick up even more fares among American businessmen. Go figure.) In any event, the protesters came out on the losing end for KorUSFTA was successfully negotiated. Out of curiosity, I went looking for good footage of the ever camera-ready Korean demonstrators in action. The best I could find is the clip below depicting rather brutal Korean riot police tactics from late last year as negotiations were in full swing. Not to be missed is the policeman who decides to wield a traffic cone (!) against vastly outnumbered protesters. Anti-globalization movements the world over appear too fragmented to make an impact nowadays. They will need better organization and agenda-setting if they intend to get their message across more effectively and not end up as a sideshow on the evening news.KorUSFTA, the Protests
The ever-popular anti-globalization protesters versus riot police clashes were given ample media coverage over the time the Korea-US FTA was being negotiated. In particular, the peculiar Korean habit of self-immolation made popular during student protests in the 80s against martial law was displayed yet again as a taxi driver decided to torch himself. (Before deciding to do so, someone should have explained the Balassa-Samuelson effect to the poor guy. It is hard to see how this cabbie will be negatively affected in his occupation. Indeed, he should pick up even more fares among American businessmen. Go figure.) In any event, the protesters came out on the losing end for KorUSFTA was successfully negotiated. Out of curiosity, I went looking for good footage of the ever camera-ready Korean demonstrators in action. The best I could find is the clip below depicting rather brutal Korean riot police tactics from late last year as negotiations were in full swing. Not to be missed is the policeman who decides to wield a traffic cone (!) against vastly outnumbered protesters. Anti-globalization movements the world over appear too fragmented to make an impact nowadays. They will need better organization and agenda-setting if they intend to get their message across more effectively and not end up as a sideshow on the evening news.