We live in a relatively fancy residential neighborhood with no production facilities around, or so I thought. I was surprised to walk around the back of an apartment building the other day to happen on this textile operation in the basement. "Sweatshop" might be the more accurate description, but I don't actually know what the conditions are like in there.
Americans don't get riled up to protest. Give away billions in taxpayer money to financial fatcats with no accountability--no worries. Refuse to punish war criminal torturers--no problem. The battle cry is...moo. Koreans, on the other hand, live in a vibrant democracy and their political action is a bit more direct. Here is a striking photo of union protesters in Daejeon using sharpened bamboo spears to attack riot police. (an article about the current state of rioting in Korea, quoting a Sogang professor, is here )
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