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Organizational and Cultural Constraints on Media Coverage
The difficulties facing U.S. and other Western news media in covering South Korea stem partly from considerations of language, culture, and the organizational and structural constraints of U.S. and international news media. During the period of time covered by this study, none of the U .S. television networks staffed a full-fledged bureau in Seoul, preferring instead to retain cameramen on a permanent basis and periodically bring in a correspondent from Tokyo or elsewhere.

Linguistically, Korea poses a most difficult challenge. Its language is considered among the most difficult in the world for English-speaking Westerners to learn. Over the years a large number of South Koreans have developed proficiency in English and a much smaller number of expatriates have done so with the Korean language. In the context of a large U.S. military and governmental presence in Seoul, the foregoing factors lead many television reporters and other foreign correspondents to frequent association with and dependence on official U.S. government sources or other Western expatriates for cues as to developments in Korea.

Although student demonstrations might occur at anyone of several large universities in Seoul, the front gate of Yonsei University has proven to be extremely convenient for both student demonstrators and representatives of U .S. and other international television organizations. Yonsei is located near two other major universities and is within walking distance of two stops on the citywide subway system, allowing easy access to the area by students from other universities. The university is also close to the center of downtown Seoul, approximately ten minutes drive away by taxi and offering easy access from major international hotels, the Seoul Foreign Correspondent's Club, and the U .S. embassy. Furthermore, the Yonsei University main gate fronts on a major thoroughfare, across the street from a raised railroad embankment, offering an excellent vantage point for news photographers or television camera operators.