Virginia Massacre Shocks Netizens
Title
Virginia Massacre Shocks Netizens
Description
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The Virginia Tech massacre by a South Korean student shocked the entire nation, including netizens.
On Tuesday, netizens posted articles expressing their shock as well as paying condolences to the victims of the tragedy. On portal Web sites, special categories were made to express how sorry they feel for the victims and their survivors.
Everyone said that there should never be violence that threaten other people's freedom and lives.
After CNN and other reports broke the news that the suspect is Cho Seung-hui, a native Korean living in the United States with a green card, many people were astonished.
``I couldn't believe that someone like me was really involved in this brutal murder,'' a netizen (ID hahaha) said. Other people showed the same response as they said they have begun to feel more responsibility for the case when they found out that a Korean was involved.
Others said that the case looked similar to some cases happening in the Korean military where young soldiers try to desert from their barracks out of love or relationship issues.
There were also rising concerns over the safety of Koreans living in the U.S. According to some reports, in Centerville, where Cho has lived with his family, American students throwing bread at Korean students were reported. In Los Angeles, some students were threatened by their peers who told them to go back to their own country.
``At the moment many people are concentrating on the issue of private weapons, and there are not many people accusing Koreans. However, I assume there will be some more talking about his ethnicity, and the hatred will pour out,'' another netizen (ID: Menia) said.
Some are concerned whether the case would bring a bad image to the country and work as a setback to issues the country is trying to push such as a visa waiver or hosting PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Those who are willing to visit or study in the U.S. are worried over the possibility that getting visas would become more difficult. ``Back in 2001, I remember that getting a visa was quite difficult right after the Sept. 11 tragedy and I hope it would not happen this time,'' said Koh, a 25-year-old student who is planning to study in the U.S.
There are also questions raised over studying abroad at a very young age _ quite the fashion in Korea at the moment. As domestic media in the U.S. referred to Cho as a ``loner,'' people are now questioning whether sending their kids abroad for study is a good idea.
There were constant reports of children feeling lonely and causing problems with drinking, doing drugs or having sex problems, but the massacre has triggered the debate on whether such studying is really needed.
Cho flew to America when he was a little kid, and is said to have not made himself accustomed to the different culture. ``I think his being alone made him a loner, and made him do something horrible. And would you still say that won't happen to your child?'' a blogger grandchyren asked.
The netizens plan to hold a candle vigil for the victims of the massacre at the Seoul City Hall plaza on Sunday evening.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1205&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1205&categoryCode=117</a>
Staff Reporter
The Virginia Tech massacre by a South Korean student shocked the entire nation, including netizens.
On Tuesday, netizens posted articles expressing their shock as well as paying condolences to the victims of the tragedy. On portal Web sites, special categories were made to express how sorry they feel for the victims and their survivors.
Everyone said that there should never be violence that threaten other people's freedom and lives.
After CNN and other reports broke the news that the suspect is Cho Seung-hui, a native Korean living in the United States with a green card, many people were astonished.
``I couldn't believe that someone like me was really involved in this brutal murder,'' a netizen (ID hahaha) said. Other people showed the same response as they said they have begun to feel more responsibility for the case when they found out that a Korean was involved.
Others said that the case looked similar to some cases happening in the Korean military where young soldiers try to desert from their barracks out of love or relationship issues.
There were also rising concerns over the safety of Koreans living in the U.S. According to some reports, in Centerville, where Cho has lived with his family, American students throwing bread at Korean students were reported. In Los Angeles, some students were threatened by their peers who told them to go back to their own country.
``At the moment many people are concentrating on the issue of private weapons, and there are not many people accusing Koreans. However, I assume there will be some more talking about his ethnicity, and the hatred will pour out,'' another netizen (ID: Menia) said.
Some are concerned whether the case would bring a bad image to the country and work as a setback to issues the country is trying to push such as a visa waiver or hosting PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Those who are willing to visit or study in the U.S. are worried over the possibility that getting visas would become more difficult. ``Back in 2001, I remember that getting a visa was quite difficult right after the Sept. 11 tragedy and I hope it would not happen this time,'' said Koh, a 25-year-old student who is planning to study in the U.S.
There are also questions raised over studying abroad at a very young age _ quite the fashion in Korea at the moment. As domestic media in the U.S. referred to Cho as a ``loner,'' people are now questioning whether sending their kids abroad for study is a good idea.
There were constant reports of children feeling lonely and causing problems with drinking, doing drugs or having sex problems, but the massacre has triggered the debate on whether such studying is really needed.
Cho flew to America when he was a little kid, and is said to have not made himself accustomed to the different culture. ``I think his being alone made him a loner, and made him do something horrible. And would you still say that won't happen to your child?'' a blogger grandchyren asked.
The netizens plan to hold a candle vigil for the victims of the massacre at the Seoul City Hall plaza on Sunday evening.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1205&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1205&categoryCode=117</a>
Creator
Bae Ji-Sook
Date
2007-10-11
Contributor
Haeyong Chung
Language
eng
Citation
Bae Ji-Sook, “Virginia Massacre Shocks Netizens,” The April 16 Archive, accessed April 29, 2024, https://www.april16archive.org/items/show/1440.