North Koreans Defect while South Koreans Protest for Unification

On the one hand, Koreans living in the North have a clear idea of the difference between North and South. In the story, Reuters notes, "More than 100,000 North Korean refugees -- possibly twice that number -- are camped out or in hiding, mostly in China and increasingly in Southeast Asia after fleeing poverty and repression in the North, activists say."

On the other hand, Koreans living in the South have a romanticized notion of the Nation. The BBC ends a story on public protest with the line, "protesters say their government's close ties with the US are hindering the detente with Pyongyang." People are risking assasination to get out, and these kids want to get in.

At least the government has some perspective. The Beeb reports, "President Roh criticised anti-American protests on the anniversary of the country's liberation from Japanese forces in the World War Two. 'This attitude seems to reflect the thinking that the United States is responsible for all the past, present and future problems of [South Korea],' he said."

In this case at least, we can answer Machiavelli's question opening Chapter 29 of the Discources, a head of state displays less ingratitude than at least some of the people. The wise old Florentine writes, "As to the errors made in maintaining itself free, among others they are those of offending those Citizens whom it ought to reward, and of having suspicion of those in whom it ought to have confidence." If we substitute allies for citizens, we have the situation exactly. South Korea should honor and celebrate the American effort which allowed the South to go from an impoverished land to one of the most prosperous and advanced in the world. The long term sacrifice of the Americans for the South Koreans should inspire confidence. But it is not so, at least not among those taking to the streets.

Indeed, there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.