Although most South Koreans profess to holdfavorable views of the United States, the phenomenon of anti-Americanism in this "pro-American" country is wellknown. David Straub, who served as the head of the political section at the U.S. embassy in Seoul for three years, analyzes the arc of increasing anti-American sentiment from 1999 that climaxed in 2002 in massive demonstrations over the accidental killing of two schoolgirls by a vehicle driven by American soldiers. Straub arguesusing case studies of major incidents during the periodthat anti-Americanism was not simply a reaction to U.S. actions, but was powerfully embedded in a longstanding Korean national narrative of victimization at the hands of great powers, magnified by the election of a left-national government and media dynamics in the Internet age.

Origins of South Korean anti-Americanism -- The catalyst: revisiting the Nogun-ri killings -- Poisoning the relationship: Agent Orange and formaldehyde -- Fairness and equality: the Koon-Ni range incident and status of forces revision -- Bushwhacked: North Korea policy -- Not sporting: the short track racing incident -- Climax: the Highway 56 tragedy -- Anti-Americanism in Korea: forgotten but not gone?