← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Julian the Apostate
Thread ID: 16340 | Posts: 2 | Started: 2005-01-18
2005-01-18 09:38 | User Profile
[url]http://www.washtimes.com/world/20050117-100732-5590r.htm[/url]
South Koreans doubt relevance of MacArthur
By Jeremy Kirk THE WASHINGTON TIMES
INCHEON, South Korea ââ¬â More than 50 years after he directed a brilliant amphibious invasion that repelled North Korean forces during the Korean War, Gen. Douglas MacArthur is no longer welcome. The focus of the latest outpouring of South Korea's anti-Americanism is on a bronze statue of the general, mounted on a massive 16-foot slab of concrete in this port city's Freedom Park. Police have guarded the statue 24 hours a day since it was targeted three years ago by protest groups angry with American policies.
Now civic groups are angry that taxpayer money is being spent to protect the monument.
The dispute over the MacArthur statue is symbolic of South Korea's internal debates over its history, the division between North and South and sweeping generational changes.
"In the urgency of the Korean War, he was the hero," said Choe Woong-ki, 68, looking at the statue. "I don't know what other people think, but for someone like me who has been through the Korean War, he was a contributor to our country. I don't understand."
Incheon was the worst place to invade: The 30-foot tides were troublesome, and nearby Wolmi Island provided a panoramic view to watch an oncoming attack and form a defense.
But on Sept. 15, 1950, about 13,000 Marines and other U.N. forces came ashore with minimal resistance from North Korean troops.
The inscription at the monument reads: "We shall never forget what he and his valiant officers and men of the United Nations Command did here for us and for freedom. And until the last battle against the malignant infection of communism has finally been won, may we never forget it was also he who said 'In war, there is no substitute for victory.' "
It may be that strong language that has spoiled the statue's welcome at a time when anti-communist remarks are considered anachronistic.
"Ideology used to be important, but it's time now to talk about how to make a better living," said Shin Bok-su, 40, whose young son read the monument's inscription in Korean out loud. "It would be better to move the memorial. It's not necessary here."
Two South Korean police officers assigned to guarding the MacArthur statue said they learned that the U.S. general was a national hero in school.
"It's funny we guard the statue just like we guard the U.S. military bases [in South Korea]," said 22-year-old Shin Song-jin, an officer on duty.
2005-01-18 18:21 | User Profile
[QUOTE=Julian the Apostate]The inscription at the monument reads: "We shall never forget what he and his valiant officers and men of the United Nations Command did here for us and for freedom. And until the last battle against the malignant infection of communism has finally been won, may we never forget it was also he who said 'In war, there is no substitute for victory.' "
It may be that strong language that has spoiled the statue's welcome at a time when anti-communist remarks are considered anachronistic.
"Ideology used to be important, but it's time now to talk about how to make a better living," said Shin Bok-su, 40, whose young son read the monument's inscription in Korean out loud. "It would be better to move the memorial. It's not necessary here."
Two South Korean police officers assigned to guarding the MacArthur statue said they learned that the U.S. general was a national hero in school.
"It's funny we guard the statue just like we guard the U.S. military bases [in South Korea]," said 22-year-old Shin Song-jin, an officer on duty.[/QUOTE]Interesting to see how the younger generation has changed in Korea. I think it just shows how the eastern mentality differs in regard to Communist collectivism. We view the fight against communism, as with tyranny of all sorts, as essential to our identity. Collectivistic societies like Asians and I'm sure just don't see it that way.