South Korea: Extremist Grandpas Attack Labor Activists
“Although it is no more than six years since the group's launch, they have made numerous media appearances due to their extreme language and violent actions. Whenever there is an event promoting progressive agendas or a protest criticizing the conservatives and their policies, they appear at the scene uninvited, carrying wooden sticks and wearing bandannas.
They often wield strange weapons at protesters, such as a portable gas tank and a fire extinguisher, which has earned them the nickname, ‘Gas Tank Grandpas'. It is widely believed that they are funded by conservative groups and politicians...
... Respect for the elderly is still a strong social norm in the country. Even under unfair circumstances, most young people refuse to fight back or sue the elderly. Twitter user @Dlsdud4001 is the victim of this social protocol the Parents Federation often takes advantage of; she tweeted [ko] that she was just an innocent passer-by when she was attacked by some of the group's members:
반대쪽에 있던 어버이연합 노인네들 오더니 신분증보여달래서 경찰도 아닌데 왜요? 했다가 뺨 두대맞음… 친구가 팔붙잡고 말렸더니 옆구리 걷어참.[…]
The Parents Federation guys form the opposite side of the road approached me and demanded me to show my identification card. I answered them ‘But you are not police. Why you ask me such thing?' Then this old man slapped me right in the face - twice. My friend tried to stop him from hitting me by grabbing his arm. Then, this old man used his foot instead and kicked my friend.[…]
... As the protest, which started on the afternoon, continued till the following morning, the elderly people eventually tired. Twitterer @Gellila7 who introduces himself an office worker who loves democracy and the Republic of Korea, tweeted:
[…] 80대 후반의 노인 회원 한 분이 새벽까지 자리를 지키시다 탈진, 희망버스 참가자들이 부축해 쉴 곳을 마련하고, 물도 넘기시게 도와드린 뒤 겨우 정신을 차렸다. “나 서울로 돌아가고 싶어” 결국 그 노인 회원은 희망버스를 타고 귀경하셨다.
[…] As the protest continued till the next day morning, one elderly member in his late eighties from the Parents Federation who stayed through the night, suffered from serious dehydration. The Hope Bus members provided him a place to sit and rest and gave him drinking water. When this guy finally got back to his feet, the first thing he said was “I want to go back to Seoul”. This elderly person returned to Seoul on riding our side's bus, the Hope Bus.”
“Although it is no more than six years since the group's launch, they have made numerous media appearances due to their extreme language and violent actions. Whenever there is an event promoting progressive agendas or a protest criticizing the conservatives and their policies, they appear at the scene uninvited, carrying wooden sticks and wearing bandannas.
They often wield strange weapons at protesters, such as a portable gas tank and a fire extinguisher, which has earned them the nickname, ‘Gas Tank Grandpas'. It is widely believed that they are funded by conservative groups and politicians...
... Respect for the elderly is still a strong social norm in the country. Even under unfair circumstances, most young people refuse to fight back or sue the elderly. Twitter user @Dlsdud4001 is the victim of this social protocol the Parents Federation often takes advantage of; she tweeted [ko] that she was just an innocent passer-by when she was attacked by some of the group's members:
반대쪽에 있던 어버이연합 노인네들 오더니 신분증보여달래서 경찰도 아닌데 왜요? 했다가 뺨 두대맞음… 친구가 팔붙잡고 말렸더니 옆구리 걷어참.[…]
The Parents Federation guys form the opposite side of the road approached me and demanded me to show my identification card. I answered them ‘But you are not police. Why you ask me such thing?' Then this old man slapped me right in the face - twice. My friend tried to stop him from hitting me by grabbing his arm. Then, this old man used his foot instead and kicked my friend.[…]
... As the protest, which started on the afternoon, continued till the following morning, the elderly people eventually tired. Twitterer @Gellila7 who introduces himself an office worker who loves democracy and the Republic of Korea, tweeted:
[…] 80대 후반의 노인 회원 한 분이 새벽까지 자리를 지키시다 탈진, 희망버스 참가자들이 부축해 쉴 곳을 마련하고, 물도 넘기시게 도와드린 뒤 겨우 정신을 차렸다. “나 서울로 돌아가고 싶어” 결국 그 노인 회원은 희망버스를 타고 귀경하셨다.
[…] As the protest continued till the next day morning, one elderly member in his late eighties from the Parents Federation who stayed through the night, suffered from serious dehydration. The Hope Bus members provided him a place to sit and rest and gave him drinking water. When this guy finally got back to his feet, the first thing he said was “I want to go back to Seoul”. This elderly person returned to Seoul on riding our side's bus, the Hope Bus.”
Edited: 2011-08-05, 10:56 pm