Too many times in past years, when my (Korean) wife goes into an AAFES store (Shoppette, PX/BX) she is continually being "stared-at" by other American customers in the stores.
Why can't Americans understand that Korean wives also have the same privileges that they have, using AAFES facilities?
Some Americans previously told me (they believe) all Korean wives Black-Market items from on-post.
Do all USFK Americans believe all Korean wives Black-Market?
I worked with MPI Agents during a previous job;
An MPI Agent told me it's well-known among USFK law enforcement personnel that Americans Black-Market more than Koreans, but there isn't enough manpower to watch all Americans (language disadvantage being mentioned)
Therefore, the manpower is concentrated with watching Korean wives.
Also mentioned by this MPI Agent was a belief that Americans shouldn't be "hurt" with Black-Marketing reports during their time in Korea.
I am interested in reading viewpoints from others. SARANG, You present an interesting possibililty about 2 people being the same person. Would you please E-Mail me with your obvious reasons? I would appreciate this. I thought this was in one鈥檚 imagination as to Americans here in South Korea racially profiling Korean-born wives of Americans in South Korea.
Reading your question brought to mind an incident which happened to a friend of mine back in 1996. At the time, my friend and his wife visited a family member living in Tongduchon, located at Camp Casey.
A Camp Casey Military Police Investigator (MPI), SFC Christopher Muldrow, approached my friend鈥檚 wife, following and staring at her constantly while she was inside the Shoppette within the Camp Casey PX building.
Needless to say, this MPI Christopher Muldrow charged my friend鈥檚 wife with Black-Marketing.
(Remember - she was still inside the Shoppette!!)
How on earth could this be?? (Read next paragraph)
My friend called the Yongsan JAG office and learned the following information -
In order to be charged with Black-Marketing, a transaction MUST BE WITNESSED between a SOFA-status person to a non-SOFA-status person.
To continue the story; after a 15-6 Investigation performed against MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow, the following information was learned;
1) MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow illegally charged my friend鈥檚 wife with Black-Marketing, since no transaction was witnessed between a SOFA-status person to a non-SOFA-status person. (Remember; she was still inside the Camp Casey Shoppette)
2) MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow lied about the events pertaining to his apprehending my friend鈥檚 wife.
3) During questioning, my friend鈥檚 wife was never read her 鈥淢iranda Rights鈥?and was never informed she did not have to answer questions.
4) The Camp Casey Korean MPI counterparts lied to my friend鈥檚 wife by stating the paper they wanted her to sign WAS AN ADMISSION OF HER GUILT.
The 15-6 Investigation revealed the paper was the Form used for only confiscating items from a person.
5) MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow lied to the Camp Casey JAG office pertaining to the events happening.
6) MPI SFC Muldrow knowingly entered false information into the MP 鈥淏lotter Report鈥?by stating 鈥淭his is a final report.鈥?
Basically, this meant my friend鈥檚 wife WAS ALREADY CHARGED AND CONVICTED with Black-Marketing. The case and the investigation are closed.
(WOW!! My friend鈥檚 wife was charged and convicted in less than an hour!!)
7) It was also learned that MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow previously black-mailed the (Colonel Rank) Deputy Garrison Commander鈥檚 wife into either -
a. providing sexual favors for him, or,
b. He (MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow) would ensure this Korean woman was charged with Black-Marketing.
So yes, your question has extremely valid points.
Americans, both U.S. Military and USFK Civilian personnel, are guilty of racially profiling Korean-born women.
Americans should learn that Korean-born wives ALSO HAVE THE SAME PRIVILEGES that Americans enjoy (or, take for granted?) while living and working here in South Korea.
Korean-born wives also HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THOSE PRIVILEGES earned by marriage to either a U.S. service member or a retired U.S. service member, or working (with SOFA status) for the U.S. Government.
Simply put - treat Korean-born wives as equals. Treat everybody the same way you would want to be treated; with respect and dignity. If you want some impassioned views on this topic you should unblock Boom.
From my point of view black marketing is only possible due to South Korean trade laws. There are a lot of points in your question. I'll try to cover them.
Sorry your wife is stared at. I know that can be uncomfortable.
No, I don't think Korean wives tend to shop for the black market.
The MPI you quote doesn't make sense to me. Manpower should concentrate on watching the merchandise, not Koreans vs USFK.
I'm not trying to be flip, but my husband and I get stared at a lot here. I try to remember that it's usually curiosity, not hostility, that makes people stare. I just don't see a link between people staring at her in the px and racial profiling. Maybe people think she has great hair, or beautiful skin. . . If you're stared at off-base, do you assume that people are waiting for you to commit a criminal act? Back in 1997 (?), there was a huge Black-Marketing ring operating at Yongsan Garrison. (Some readers might remember this one.)
Yes, it鈥檚 true that a Korean woman was the Ringleader of this Black-Marketing, Counterfeit ID Cards, and counterfeit SOFA-status license plates operation.
But, it鈥檚 also true there were American dependents and U.S. Military personnel involved with aiding the Black-Marketing Ring. How else could many of the Americans and American dependents being investigated have investigations ended for 鈥渓ack of evidence?鈥?
It was proven that a U.S. service member, SSG Gaulden, was stopping the investigations of the Americans at the MPI level. It was also said by many people being investigated that SSG Gaulden was taking bribes to have their ID Cards and Ration Control Plates returned to them.
And yes, it was proven, by serial numbers on 鈥渕arked鈥?American Currency found on SSG Gaulden, that he did receive bribes for his role with impeding the investigations on the Americans.
But yet, SSG Gaulden was never charged. I wonder why that is?
But, a burning question still not answered; of all the American dependents and U.S. Military service members involved and investigated -
Why was there absolutely no U.S. service members charged for their involvement?
Why was there absolutely no American dependents charged for their involvement?
Yongsan Garrison Military Police Investigators were so stupid that they could not figure out how many of the women were escaping being caught.
True - MPI and Korean customs were watching Incheon airport in Seoul; I suppose they 鈥渇orgot鈥?about other airports, such as the one at Kimhae, or perhaps Taegu?
And also, how about the port of Pusan?
I suppose they also forgot about all the Ferry-Boats that run between South Korea and Japan. Easy enough; get to Japan, and then fly onwards somewhere else for a couple months. Just wait for the investigations to end and let things quiet down again.
Yes, there鈥檚 plenty of racial profiling performed by the American Military and USFK Civilians in South Korea. Sorry, but I predict Boom Blatz and Bill are the same user. There are several obvious reasons, (but I know it's really your decision.) Good Luck. My wife never wanted to go on base, we had housing offbase when I was in the service. '02 to '05. We are now back in America and I work at a hotel. Sometimes I get into conversation with some of the soldiers or retired soldiers and most of them have the look on their face like they think she was a "juicy girl." That makes me nuts. I met my wife at a Korean church in Yeoido. Sometimes when we go to a Chinese restaurant here in America, the Chinese workers stare at us too. Back in Korea sometimes my wife and I would go out to Hongdae or Itaewon, numerous dudes used to hit on my wife when I wasn't looking. In fact one guy actually slapped my wife's butt when we were at a club in Hongdae. I had quite a few brawls during those years, but after the army my wife and I moved to her hometown away from the garbage. Foreign guys, especially soldiers think Korean girls are so easy, because they might of banged a few in Itaewon or something like that. But let me tell you something, Itaewon or the surrounding areas of a Camp in Seoul, Uijeongbu, Dongducheon, ETC. is not the REAL Korea. I just wonder if/when anybody will respond with other incidents involving U.S. Military racially profiling Korean-born women back in the time period mentioned by Beanpole and Pineapple.
Remember the "Beech Syndrome" involving the blackmailing of Korean-born wives (1995-1996?)?
Remember (the Yongsan Garrison Commander - 1995-1996?) Colonel Burleson "blowing up" at the Camp Coiner Shoppette, accusing the Cashiers of aiding Black-Marketeers?
Remember the Specialist (SPC) Pinckney incident (1995-1996?) at the Yongsan Garrison Commissary, involving Korean-born wives?
Whatever happened to MPI Berryman (1996 was it?) at Yongsan Garrison who told you what group of people the military MPI specifically target? I am also familiar with the incident, since I know the person and his wife it happened to.
One point not mentioned is quite interesting.
The Camp Casey JAG office replied to the Deputy Garrison Commander in a Memorandum -
Paragraph 2: (quoted verbatim) 鈥淎fter careful review of the MP Investigation, the 15-6, and Mr. XX鈥檚 complaint letter, I opine that there was not probable cause for the detainment of Mrs. XX by SFC Muldrow.鈥?
(Now comes the 鈥渟mack in the face鈥?reply also contained in paragraph 2 - )
Paragraph 2 (continues) - (verbatim) 鈥淎lso, the professionalism, or lack thereof, by Investigator Muldrow is questionable.鈥?
Paragraph 3: (verbatim) 鈥淔urthermore, the daily shelf limits were not exceeded nor was there any evidence of attempting to transfer duty-free goods at the time of apprehension.鈥?
Memorandum signed by Captain Angela M. (XXX), Command Judge Advocate
So, by reading paragraph 2, the Camp Casey JAG office clearly shows that MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow HAD NO PROBABLE CAUSE for detaining the Korean-born woman.
And, paragraph 2 clearly shows, quoting word for word, the professionalism of MPI SFC Christopher Muldrow was questioned by the Camp Casey JAG office.
Paragraph 3 clearly shows, quoting word for word, that there was no evidence of attempting to Black-Market duty-free goods (remember what the Yongsan Garrison JAG office said about proving Black-Marketing?)
So, does the U.S. Military racially profile Korean-born women? The above information speaks for itself.
Both Pineapple and Beanpole brought up interesting responses. It appears they are also familiar with U.S. Military racially profiling Korean-born women in South Korea.
James H. also brings up interesting points. He is totally correct saying that locations just outside U.S. Military Camps do not represent the real Korea.
Just being curious, I wonder why SARANG believes Boom Blatz and Bill might possibly be the same user.
I wonder if Matthew believes military service members and others reading this question want to know the answers to the question he presents. |
