SOUTH KOREA: THIRD REICH BAR (V)

Описание: (9 Mar 2000) Voice and effects
VOICED BY: Robert Ovadia

A bar in South Korea has succumbed to government pressure and removed its Nazi-theme decor, although it's unclear whether the Third Reich bar will change its name.

The bar attracted attention after the Israeli Embassy in Seoul and a U-S-based Jewish group demanded its closure.

VOICE-OVER:

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Welcome to "The Third Reich" in the heart of downtown Seoul.

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From the moment you enter the popular bar, you're greeted by swastikas, Nazi memorabilia, SS uniforms, - even a friendly smile from the Fuhrer.

Many aren't laughing, however, although some of the patrons don't see why the local theme bar has attracted so much outrage.

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SOUNDBITE: (Korean)
"This is unique. I think this is O.K."
SUPER CAPTION: Yo Sung-Kwan, 25-year-old customer

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This is unique, says this 25-year-old - he thinks it's okay.

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SOUNDBITE: (Korean)
"It stands out from other bars."
SUPER CAPTION: Kim Jae-Kwang, 27-year-old customer

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This man says he goes to the Third Reich because it stands out from the other bars.

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That, it does.

The owner of the bar, which opened a year ago, says he chose the Nazi theme simply to attract business.

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Last month, it attracted the attention of prominent Jewish human rights organisation the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, based in Los Angeles, which called for the bar's immediate closure.

Although the German and Israeli governments also protested, South Korea said there was no legal ground for it to act.

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SOUNDBITE: (Korean)
"There are many American Western style bars but now we are tired of them, so I was looking for a new concept. It has nothing to do with neo-Nazism."
SUPER CAPTION: Kim Kwan-Tae, Third Reich bar manager

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There are many American western-style bars, says the Third Reich's manager - I was looking for a new concept - it has nothing to do with neo-Nazism.

But after visits from government officials and protests from foreign customers, he's capitulated.

The decor has already been dismantled, but the controversial name is yet to be changed.

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SOUNDBITE: (Korean)
"Personally, I think they should remove the bar because it could inspire people with destructive thoughts."
SUPER CAPTION: Park Chul-Soon, 27-year-old student

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Personally, says this Korean, I think they should remove the bar altogether - it could inspire people with destructive thoughts.

The Third Reich isn't the first bar in South Korea to style itself in such a controversial way.

In 1987, a bar called "Gestapo" was forced to change its name, while only two months ago a restaurant in Taiwan, decorated with pictures of Nazi death camps, had the pictures removed.

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