[Vigilanteman]

The Philippines has had a long association with the United States, accidental colony from 1903 until full independence just after the war (also on July 4), then more than another half century of hosting U.S. bases before we were asked to leave.

The South Korean experience was far less extensive. During my travels there on business, I actually found my second language (Japanese) was more likely to be understood than my first (English).

[9YearLurker]

When I was in Seoul in the ‘80s on business the English there was very good, as it was taught from grade school. And the population was very pro-American. The Japanese interrelationship was arguably closer longer term, but with much more resentment against the Japanese than the Americans, who were allies and more recently a major presence—militarily and in civil society, etc.