Tokyo, Feb 23: US Secretary of State Colin Powell acknowledged widespread anti-American sentiment in South Korea and said today the United States will have to do a better job of demonstrating the benefits of the alliance between the two countries. Winding up a 24-hour visit to Tokyo, Powell told a news conference there are South Koreans who do not remember the half-century history of US-South Korean ties. The alliance "created conditions for solid economic growth that has brought South Korea clearly into the camp of democracy," Powell said. "They have benefited greatly from this alliance," he added. He said that there are "always stresses and challenges in a relationship, and that certainly is the case with South Korea, but I think the relationship certainly remains strong." Anti-American sentiment was evident during the recent Presidential campaign in South Korea, particularly among younger generation, despite an apparent growing military threat from North Korea.
Bureau Report