Compassion and Unease: South Korea in the Wake of Virginia Tech
When Virginia Tech’s troubled shooter was revealed to hold a South Korean passport, South Korea’s response was mixed. President Roh Moo-hyun had already expressed his condolences to the United States, but promptly delivered several additional messages of regret to the American people.
South Korea’s historically pronounced sense of collective identity has emerged both in moments of national pride and national disfavor. While it is difficult to dispute the boon to patriotism that results from appreciating one’s own, collective feeling also presents a danger. It would be an unfortunate development if Korea’s well-intentioned compassion were to be misperceived as an expression of a national guilt – an emotion entirely unfounded. Blame rests with a single aberrant individual who misrepresented not only Korea but the totality of the human race.
Despite fears of a backlash against Asian Americans in the wake of the tragedy, concerns have scarcely materialized. The Anti-Defamation League did bring attention to anti-Asian invective that had made an unsightly appearance on several websites. Yet the sites in question were hate sites to begin with, their message an impressive display of ignorance and illiteracy. Among the general American populace, however, the aftermath of the shooting has brought forward much good will and little vilification, and has instead inspired a mood of reflection among Koreans that has shown itself to be largely positive. Media have largely focused on the relevant facts of the atrocity, on Cho Seung-Hui’s psychological distress, and on US gun control policies, but have gracefully avoided extensive discussion of Cho’s ethnicity. Moreover, US officials have reassured their South Korean colleagues that relations between the countries would not be jeopardized by the tragedy.
Korea’s vocal condolences are desirable and appreciated, as are those of any other nation. But at a vulnerable time, it would be prudent to stay on guard against implications of a collective ’shame’ or ‘responsibility.’ Korea merits shame no more than the United States, Cho’s home of fourteen years. The gunman’s actions were defined by the man himself, not by the passport he bore.