One must remember the context underwhich Mike was murdered. It was during the Anti-US Beef Riots of 2008. Bill Kapoun was the first victim in a series of one death a month for five months, until July, at the height of the riots when more people marched on Seoul than did in the 1987 revolution (think about that for a minute ok).
At the time of Mike's murder, Korean hostility toward foreigners was at a frenzied state. Concern and care not to incite further violence played a large part in her efforts to "calm" the situation. One must also remember, that Mike's mother was not given proper respect after Mike's murder and was approached with bloodmoney offer less than 24 hours after his murder --- on MOTHER'S DAY.
Can you imagine the atrocious insult given to Stephannie to have aggressive, unsympathetic, hostile, Koreans insist on speaking to her and offering her MONEY on the holiday that Americans honor as much as Christmas??? WTF??? can we say "rude" in English? Luckily she was surrounded by supportive expats who helped prevent them from actualy carring out their thoughtless, insensistive 'apology mission'. But thanks for being prompt though, less than 24 hours.. wow. (Yes, Mike was murdered on Mother's Day eve 2008, adds a gritty salt to the wound)
** Halmark sells more cards on mother's day than any other holiday, period.
