Korean Government Responds to US Congressional Letter
The Korean government has now responded to the Congressional letter sent to President Roh expressing the US government’s concern over the MacArthur statue controversy. From the Marmot:
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon has sent a written response to Rep. Hyde stating the Korean government’s position not to permit the statue of Gen. MacArthur to be removed or damaged. He also mentioned that high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae officials planned to meet with those calling for the statue to be removed to explain to them the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance and the sacrifices made by Gen. MacArthur. On a more feel-good note, he also said neither the Korean government nor the Korean people have forgotten the sacrifices made by Americans in protecting democracy in Korea, and that they remember Gen. MacArthur as a “great and brave hero of the Korean War.†He also noted that when, thanks to the North Korean nuclear issue, the importance of a strong Korean-U.S. alliance was been highlighted, he was sure that the regrettable actions of some would not influence the bilateral relationship.
I agree with the Marmot that President Roh should of been the one to have sent the response himself clearly stating the policy of the Republic of Korea. Instead President Roh has decided to have Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon to respond instead. Minister Ban is one of the good guys in the administration that actually makes an effort to get along with Americans. I can remember a few months back when he visited Camp Red Cloud to thank the soldiers there for their service in Korea. President Roh can’t even write a letter himself stating his own government’s policy much less thank 32,000 American soldiers serving in his country.
The Boston Globe has now picked up on the MacArthur controversy now as well. Really nothing new in the article but at least this issue is continuing to pick up more steam in the American press. Here is part of the article I did find interesting:
Regardless of their feelings about MacArthur, many South Koreans seem to be deeply embarrassed by the clash on Sept. 11.
The wave of anti-American demonstrations in 2002, sparked by the accidental death of two schoolgirls hit by a US military vehicle, damaged South Korea’s relations with the United States and its image abroad. Anti-Americanism is believed to be bad for business here, and many fear that a brouhaha over MacArthur will play badly with American conservatives.
I would agree that average Koreans are embarrassed by the hate groups that are causing these clashes. However, if average Koreans do not push their government to do anything about it than prepare to be really embarrassed when the Pyoengtaek land deal issue heats up. Also, why should the MacArthur controversy play badly with only American conservatives? This is not a conservative or liberal issue. This is an American issue. I would hope that liberals would agree that General MacArthur though flawed was overall a positive force for good by helping to liberate many nations from the Japanese during World War II and later defeating communist aggression in South Korea during the Korean War.
Anyway, hopefully this issue will continue to be reported, but I have a feeling that the Korean government will probably keep these hate groups quiet for a while until the American media attention passes. Not because they don’t agree with the groups, but because it’s bad for business.
Ironically, one of the Congressmen who signed the letter, Joseph Crowley, represents Flushing, Queens, an area where many Korean-Americans live, and who presumably voted for him. I agree that it is not a liberal or conservative issue. Crowley is a Democrat, who has the support of Korean-Americans living in the area. I was surprised to see him co-sigining the letter. Even he is alarmed at the protests.
You are making the assumption that Korean-Americans support these idiots in Korea. I have friends in Koreatown in LA and they despise these protesters and are extremely pro-American. So Congressman Crowley co-signing the letter is not as much as a stretch as you would think.
I could be wrong, but I think the Korean communities in the US are regularly conservative on US-SK issues. I used to live in a big Korean community in the US. I also remember the Washington protest in 2002 had a very small turn out with most of them having flown in from Korea.
I think most of Korean population in America stems from the period after war and before the late 1980s. Meaning — I think they came from the time period and generations that could be considered pro-American.
I am not too satisfied with the US media and Congress taking up the MacArthur issue.
I think it is good the Congressmen sent the letter, but I think in the end, it will prove detrimental to giving Americans a chance to understand the Korea relationship.
Why?
Because the statue issue is one of the few that doesn't have greater appeal in average Korean society. The average Korea isn't far gone enough to say and believe they wish the US had never entered the Korean War. They believe the US committee wanton killings of civilians like at Nogunri, and they share a lot of the same ideas with the radicals, but they also split from them by their not wanting USFK removed — yet.
So, if the American media scratches the surface a little, they are going to come away saying what they have been saying for years and years when spending a limited time to focus on Koera —– "It's just a vocal radical minority problem. Most Koreans don't want US troops to leave."
They are echoed by scholars and the State Department in both countries in this broken record theme.
And the media will quit looking.
And Americans will never hear much about the wide variety of other issues….
As a long-term Korean resident, I'd like to say that the vast majority of Korean's are no differenct than average American's. They wish to be left alone to work an honest day, care for their families, and enjoy their lives. These protest are an embarrassment to them. Think about the stupidity, we as Americans do to bring some of this on outselves.
We have 37,000 mostly young and unsupervised embassadors in the country. In the old days, these young people would have been with an older person who would teach them proper conduct while in the community. Basic skills such as how to address a citizen in Korea, how to shop and yes, even how to drink properly and find local companionship. Now this is called fraternization or worse yet Human Trafficing. Basic skill for survival and co-habitation are now left up to the individual. Does the base teach these skills, they attempt to but it is not realistic. Nothing beats having "an old-head" as a walk-along to provide the "adult" supervision until the newbie learns how to interact without offending a local and getting him/herself in trouble.