The acquittal in U.S. military court last month of two soldiers charged for the accidental death of two South Korean middle school girls in June has sparked large peaceful public demonstrations among tens of thousands frustrated Korean citizens who perceive that justice has not been done. The relationship with the United States has become a focal point of campaigning in South Korean elections to be held this week. The existence of such widespread protests itself shows that the situation has been badly mishandled. These protests have been distorted and sensationalized as an expression of “anti-American” sentiment, with potentially corrosive effects for a blood alliance that has stood firm for over 50 years.