‘Soviet Boom’ and ‘Anti-Americanism’ at the 1988 Seoul Olympics

Focusing on the ‘Soviet Boom’ and ‘anti-Americanism’ that occurred in Korea in the wake of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, this article examined the impact and meaning of this phenomenon on Korean society during the dissolution of the Cold War.<br/>As the Cold War eased and gradually disbanded in the mid-to-late 1980s, cracks were formed in the solid pro-Americanism, anti-Sovietism atmosphere in Korean society. The 1988 Seoul Olympics in Korea was a mega-event that clearly showed and accelerated these cracks. In particular, the ‘Soviet boom’ and ‘anti-Americanism’ that were clearly revealed in the Korean audience’s support during the basketball game between the United States and the Soviet Union shocked the world at home and abroad. At this time, the anti-Americanism that was popularized beyond college students and even among the middle class and teenagers, was not caused by a few temporary events, but was based on much more historical and structural factors. The same was true of the Soviet boom. This, too, was linked to the global historical trend of the dissolution of the Cold War.<br/>The 1988 Seoul Olympics played a crucial role in awakening Koreans’ long-held illusions and fears about the United States and the Soviet Union. So, during the two weeks of the Seoul Olympics, Koreans were able to take a critical attitude toward the United States and a favorable attitude toward the Soviet Union. This was the starting point for dismantling the Cold War dichotomy of pro-Americanism and anti-communism that had long been firmly established in Korea. The opportunity for Koreans to objectify and relativize the Cold War structure opened up.