Finally U.S. lawmakers with some spine! Maybe now the Korean government will figure out that letting anyone protest for any cause can actually harm their relationship with us.

Five U.S. lawmakers have written South Korea’s president to express concern at protests calling for the removal of a statue of U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur from Inchon, the coastal city where he led a daring landing during the Korean War.

“We would respectfully suggest that, rather than allowing the general’s statue to be defaced or torn down, the people of Inchon and all of South Korea turn over the statue of General MacArthur to the American people.”

Full story here.

It Seems To Me That There Are Young Koreans That Are Directly Under The Influence Of The Communist Regime In The North. They Are Constantly Touting Anti-american Rhetoric And This Is Another Example Of That Influence. I Think The South Korean Intelligence Community Should Carefully Scrutinize The Membership Of These Groups, The Way The Fbi Does In The U.s, And Strongly Discourage This Violent And Harmful Anti-american Behavior.

I'm Not Against Democracy And Freedom Of Speech, But Ultimately, National Security Is At Stake For South Korea...

And Finally, Yes Macarthur's Statue Should Be Taken Down... Few People Really Appreciate It Anyway... Those Congressmen In The U.s. Should Demand It Back, Don't Just Ask For It..

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DAN BURESS

We are guilty of the same thing we accuse South Korean of doing. Making judgements based on what we read in the paper, or the news, without verifying just how true it is, and if it really is the Government's view, or not? The noisy few get the attention and the real view of the majority is seldom expressed.
The U.S. encouraged Korea to allow dissidents to protest, but we didn't tell them just how far to let it go, nor did we say we do not condone deadly force used against unarmed students. We had assumed they would be adept at crowd control. Then we learned they were not.
I'll wait for further comment on the statue. I believe the present government will protect it.

Big D: You are so right about the need to keep track of protestors. Let me assure you that the Korean government has a file on every person who shows up at protests, and also reads their mail and e-mail. Our CIA could take lessons from the Korean CIA.
(I know a person intimately who once taught English to certain folks associated with the Korean CIA a while back.)

Mr. Joe, I agree to a point. One thing that is annoying is watching video of ROK police just watching protestors have their way with US military installations. Protestors tear down fences, throw rocks and conduct other illegal behavior with little ramifications. Then they apply for a “civil gathering” and are allowed to show up just one week later! Check out the USFK Civil Gathering page and you will notice these guys show up week after week. At some point, the ROK government needs to ban violent offenders from petitioning for a civil gathering.

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Looks like the Korean Veteran groups are coming the rescue.

Yonhap
Activists rally for MacArthur statue on Seoul liberation anniv.

Thousands of conservative activists vowed to defend the statue of Douglas MacArthur at a rally in this western South Korean port city Wednesday, marking the day in 1950 when the American general helped South Korea liberate its capital from North Korean troops.

"The statue of General MacArthur is not just one to remember him as an individual, but it is a symbol of the Republic of Korea's freedom and its history," Kwon Jung-dal, president of the Korea Freedom League that organized the rally, said in a speech at the demonstration. Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name.

Police estimated about 4,500 members of the conservative civic group participated. The 5-meter-tall bronze statue, depicting the U.S. general looking over the port and holding a pair of binoculars, was built as a sign of the nation's gratitude toward the U.S.

The existence of the statue has become a hot topic in the country after
some civic or-ganizations called for its removal.

While MacArthur is officially recognized as a Korean War hero, critics label him a war criminal for his alleged responsibility in the deaths of millions of civilians from U.S.-led carpet bombing and napalm raids conducted across the peninsula, and especially North Korea, during the war. They also say retention of the MacArthur statue is an obsta-cle to South Korea's on-going efforts for reconciliation with North Korea.

Such calls are opposed by conservatives, especially war veterans. MacArthur orchestrated the amphibious landing at Incheon in Sept. 15, 1950. After North Korean troops had grabbed most of South Korea in the preceding first few months of the war, MacArthur and U.N. command used the landing to turn the tide and liberate the South Korean capital on this date in 1950.

The U.N. forces later advanced almost to the border with China before being forced to retreat in the face of an overwhelming num-ber of Chinese soldiers.

"Those who are clamoring for the removal of the statue are those who have never experienced the wretched face of war," Kwon, the civic group president, said.

"Such claims may cause the spread of anti-Korean sentiment in the United States," he warned.

During a trip to the U.S. earlier this month, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun received a letter of complaint from the U.S. House Committee on International Relations, which said it was "disturbed" by protests calling for the statue's removal.

Roh has affirmed Seoul's position that the statue should be preserved, a position also maintained by Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon. Around 900 marines from the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and city officials marked the liberation of Seoul at an event in Gwanghwamun in front of Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul.

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I believe the statue will soon be guarded by Korean marines if nuts keep threatening it. It would be a perfect place for terrorists to begin trouble in Korea.
Years later, if the North continues to influence thinking in the South, we will see something like we have in America, in reverse! The North will be "Offended" by the Statue, as in America, the South was "Offended" by the Confederate Battle Flag!
I lived in SC when the state removed the Confederate Flag from the top of the Capitol to appease a minority of black folks who were fired up by politicians looking for votes. The majority of black folks were too busy working to march around "Offended" over a war that happened 140 years ago, but the politicians caved in to shut up a minority of noisy people. Oh yes, by the way, the flag was put back up on a pole in front of the Capitol Building, where it flies today, actually much more visible than it was 'way up on the top!
Maybe some years later the Koreans will put the statue inside the war memorial museum so as to "Offend" only those who pay admission. I hope not. If you understand the real story, and go to Inchon to see the park, you can stand beside General MacArthur, and feel a little of what he felt the day of the landing. It will bring a tear to the eye, visualizing that landing, knowing in your heart that it was a brilliant move, and you are here, and Korea is free, as a direct result of the legacy of those brave soldiers. War is hell, but the Hero who saved the Philippines also saved South Korea, like it or not.

Well Said, Mr. Joe

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DAN BURESS

I will write more about this later, but if you like a member's post or a reply click on the reputation image.



This will increase their reputation on the USFK Forums.

Mike

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