Passing Away of Ronald Reagan
Sadly President Ronald Reagan passed away today. With his death I decided to ask Korean friends I know, what they thought of the former President. All of them told me they really liked President Reagan which suprised me a little bit because President Reagan is very similiar to President Bush with Reagan fighting against the “Evil Empire” and Bush fighting the “Axis of Evil.” Yet back in the 80’s nobody protested the “Evil Empire” policy like they protest the “Axis of Evil” policy of today. I see no difference between the two. However the main reasons my friends had a positive image of Reagan was because he always gave positive remarks about the history and progress of Korea.
My friends also appreciated that President Reagan did more than just visit the DMZ in Korea like most Presidents do. He actually addressed the government plus Reagan was very congratulatory in future talks with Korea about their hosting of the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics. Click here to access a speech President Reagan gave to the Korean government in a November 1983 visit following the KAL flight 007 disaster. This speech was definitely the type of speech that Koreans need to hear today (Reagan Speech).
The tone of the speech was one of admiration of the history and achievement of the Korean people which really touches the strong nationalists feelings Koreans have and then concludes in a somber note to memorialize the victims of the KAL 007 disaster. He was truly the Great Communicator. Imagine if President Bush gave a speech like this today to the National Assembly addressing the state of the current USFK-ROK alliance and the need for change plus directly addressing the Korean people of his intentions to not invade North Korea because many Koreans believe that we are actually planning to attack the North. That would dispel all the rumors and induendo surrounding the US-ROK relations and policy regarding North Korea. Yet all President Bush has done, just like President Clinton is get the photo op at the DMZ, say hello to the soldiers, and go home. President Bush’s vision is almost identical to President Reagan’s. Bush is fighting terrorism while Reagan was fighting communism. However, Reagan was a much better speaker and could easily convey his vision to the average person. Bush however does not have the same communication skills.
In fact nobody in the government inspires me with their speaking skills. Like him or hate him you have to admit President Clinton had amazing speaking skills that always was able to get him out of trouble, his downfall was that he had no vision. A Great Communicator with vision is needed here again in Korea. I just don’t see that person coming here any time soon.
