It may not have much storied athletic hatred or political history, but the U.S. is developing a rivalry with South Korea.

“My impression is that we are allies,” said coach Bruce Arena.

“Someone alluded to the fact that [the rivalry] had something to do with the Winter Olympics, but we’re not aware of any political issues.”

It began at the 1988 Seoul Olympics when Roy Jones lost to a South Korean boxer in a controversial bout. On Feb. 20 at Salt Lake City, Korea’s Kim Dong-sung was disqualified in the 1,500M speedskating gold, giving Apolo Ohno the win.

Activists burned a U.S. flag yesterday during a protest demanding compensation for Jeon Dong-rok, who was electrocuted by power wires set up by the U.S. military.