Korea Times fails to rehabilitate US Ambassador's poor image

The effort by the Korea Times content editor Oh Young-jin to rehabilitate US Ambassador Harris' image in South Korea is a failure. Harris' claim that he never stated that it looked like Moon Jae-in was surrounded by leftist supporters of communist North Korea is simply labored prevarication. The content of his statement last September came from not one but multiple sources at his embassy meeting with National Assembly members.

What is worse is that the admiral, er, I mean the ambassador, doesn't seem to realize that he has zero authority to insist on confidentiality during a meeting with elected members of the National Assembly. They represent the sovereign power of government inside South Korea, not him. The fact, that the long time military man doesn't understand this simply lends more credence to the analogy with the unfortunate legacy of foreign legations, especially that of Japan, routinely, interfering in internal Korean politics, with a view toward controlling it. In Harris' revealing but disingenuous response, the admiral referred to the article "Who framed Roger Rabbit- in Cheong Wa Tae?" by the same Oh Young-jin of Korea Times. Harris' comment, in context, reveals an untoward knowledge of internal workings of South Korean foreign policy, as viewed from the right, especially concerning the South Korean governmental policies and officials that he, like most US officials, would also prefer to see gone. Again, Oh's analysis of Harris' implausible denial highlights the US inclination to interfere in the South Korean policy making process. Oh's rendering of the interview portrays the Ambassador's attempt to mitigate the damages from his blundering meddling:

Harris denied my description of the Moon Jae-in government as being friendly toward North Korea. Some would go further than I did as anti-Moon factions called him pro-North Korean or leftist or worse. Harris said that in trying to improve the chance of dialogue with the North, Moon's policy was not a function of government but a function of opportunity. Simply put, Moon is using it when it has a chance while some of his predecessors had no opportunity so they did not have a chance to implement it. Maybe Harris is trying to be nice to the Moon government amid cat calls from Moon critics, but it may reflect a general U.S. view of Moon. If the latter were true (emphasis added), it would mark a departure from what is often believed to be the Washington consensus about Moon, his North Korean view and his China approach.

In other words Moon is trying to lead a South Korean foreign policy that puts Korea first, and this is what is resented in the US as it accustomed to more pliable leaders.

(Source- Yonhap News 11.21) Korean War Hero on Birthday. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20181121124600315
Admiral Harris pays homage to the former Japanese Imperial Army officer who served in Manchukuo on behalf of Japan during WWII. General Baik Seon-yup later led troops against the communist armed forces in the Korean conflict. Recently, the former ROK Army four star general has been rolled out at the forefront of encouraging active duty Armed Forces personnel to oppose the Moon Jae-in administration. How far ROK Army officers might go in their opposition is an open question in light of Saenuri Party (LKP) administration martial law plans in early 2017.

Harris really plays poorly with the public in South Korea, while the far right demonstrators who worship the former US supported dictators Syngmun Rhee and Park Chung Hee, are currently out on the streets. They voice their support for the efforts of the far right LKP party in the legislature to obstruct the government's lawful processes, commonly using illegal and disruptive tactics. While they are promoting what can only be viewed as a descent into authoritarianism aimed at bringing down democracy, they wave US flags. Further they call on president Moon Jae-in to step down without any justification. All this Sturm und Drang, necessary because the far right is now clearly in the minority in a democratic system. The authoritarians can't get over it and want Moon, his cabinet, and the ruling democratic coalition out. Coincidentally, this is exactly what the US would like as implied by Oh in his opinion. While Harris alleges that he is impartial, he supports elements in the South Korean community of military officers, former and present, as demonstrated by his public endorsement of 100 year old General Baik Seon-yup, who is the very symbol of the confluence of South Korean authoritarianism and the Japanese colonial legacy in South Korean domestic politics. In spite of the considerable effort of the Korea Times and the US Ambassador, it won't be forgotten that Harris attempted to enter into a discussion with South Korean legislators concerning South Korean domestic politics in which he described the incumbent cabinet as pro-North Korean leftists.

Admiral Harris's jawboning of National Assembly members to support the extortionate demand by the US for 5 billion dollars in the SMA is just one more self evident proof of his poor judgement, undiplomatic character, and desire to meddle in internal South Korean politics.

Admiral, that is Ambassador Harris should retire from his "diplomatic" career. He is a rude, arrogant meddler in the sovereign affairs of South Korea. While he may meddle no more than some prior US ambassadors during the days of the dictatorships, the analogy with the Japanese legations of yore fits as well. Growing a mustache didn't cure his authoritarian militarism.

Sources:

*해리스 “文대통령, 종북좌파에 둘러싸여있다” 발언 논란
조동주 기자 , 한기재 기자입력 2019-11-30 03:00수정 2019-11-30 03:00
http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20191129/98601249/1

*US envoy under fire for disparaging remarks on ally, By Do Je-hae, Park Ji-won, Dec. 2.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/12/113_279649.html

Harris: 'I am not Japanese US ambassador'
Oh Young-jin 12.29
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/12/120_281041.html

[FULL TEXT] Interview with US Amb. Harry Harris
By Yi Whan-woo
Transcript of Dec. 23 interview published 12.29
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/12/176_281050.html


Who framed Roger Rabbit - in Cheong Wa Dae? 10.10,
By Oh Young-jin
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2019/10/667_276894.html

Electoral Reform Law Passes in South Korean National Assembly

(Image source- JTBC News 12.27) 300 seat National Assembly. 253 district members; 47 proportional members.

The number of seats determined by district elections to seats in the National Assembly is the same as the prior election 253 seats. The number of seats determined by proportional representation is also the same 47 seats. However, the old (Hare) method is applied to 17 of the 47 seats. A new method of selecting proportional representation is applied to 30 of the 47 seats. An interlocking restriction of 50 percent is applied to proportional allocation of the seats to prevent the emergence of "excess seats." It is believed that the reform will most disadvantage the largest parties, namely the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition party, the Liberty Korea Party, in the upcoming April 15, 2020 election for the National Assembly. The LKP has already registered a satellite party with the election commission in an attempt to field a minor party list which might benefit from the calculations and circumvent limitations in the proportional representation reform law.

(Image source- JTBC News 12.27) Anticipated gains and losses in proportional seats for four parties based on 2016 election results.

The graphic above is a hypothetical projection of the results of the new fast track electoral reform law passed today in the Korean National Assembly, calculated with numbers from the 2016 general election. Note that some of the parties have changed in their composition since then, particularly the People's Party. So in this simulation, the Democratic Party loses 8 seats and the Liberty Korea Party loses 10. The People's Party (hypothetically) would gain 13 seats and the Justice Party would gain 5. Theoretically, this 13 seat gain would primarily accrue to the Barunmirae Party, the principal offspring of the People's Party in existence now. It is no coincidence that the Barunmirae Party and the Justice Party were the biggest supporters of the electoral reform and had to be cajoled by the Democratic Party to accept a compromise which downsized the proportional representation from 75 seats, as originally proposed, to 47 seats. Another significant aspect of the reform is the lowering of the age to vote to 18 years.

The exact nature and mechanics of all the new changes in the electoral reform law are hard to find. Past discussions of electoral reform changes have included the notion of regional proportionality in representation as opposed to a simple national proportionality. The details of those determinations and their mechanics are not clear as yet. In response to questions, the Justice Party floor leader said "the people don't need to know how it works," believe it or not. One wonders how many journalists actually do know how it works at this point. In the original reform proposal, party representation in regional seats more than 30 percent of the total for the region, would bar supplemental proportionate representation for that party. Naturally, this would adversely affect the largest parties. The Democratic Party and Liberty Korea Party both have more than 30 percent representation nationwide in the 20th National Assembly.

(Source: YTN News, 12.28) Happening again, "animal National Assembly." The speaker of the assembly's platform is occupied (by a human wall of Liberty Korea Party representatives); a physical fight is ongoing. Speaker Moon center being physically assaulted by members of the Liberty Korea Party attempting to stall the passage of the electoral reform bill.

There will be two votes on the ballot in each district, one vote for the candidate to represent the district among the 253 district representative seats. The second vote to select a preferred party list nominating candidates for proportional representation, 47 seats, for a total of 300 seats in the 21st National Assembly. One thing is for certain, the LKP has been adamantly opposed to the fast track reform of the electoral system but it passed today anyway, in spite of all their illegal demonstrations, violence, threats, and physical intimidation outside the Assembly, and obstruction even inside the National Assembly itself today. LKP threats of a filibuster notwithstanding, the legislation passed. Now only the fast track prosecutorial reform bill is pending. Again this in the face of LKP stonewalling, demonstrations, and threats of filibuster. During the acrimony and disorder in the Assembly today, catcalling from the LKP representatives was met with one telling response from a Democratic Party member, "we'll see how you do in the next election." The desperation of the far right party is palpable.

The Art of Denuclearization

(Source- BK News Briefing 12.12.19 ) Clearly South Korea is one of the parties suffering greatest harm from the mutual distrust between the US and North Korea.

(Source- BK News Briefing 12.12.19 ) Strange, a clever way to protect the mutual promises of the US and North Korea from ever being broken never emerged.

The US special envoy to North Korea for the negotiations, Stephen Biegun, arrived in Beijing today after visiting Seoul and Tokyo, prompting a lot of hopeful speculation in the South Korean media as to whether Choe Son-hui, the North Korean vice Minister of Foreign Affairs or some other North Korean negotiator might show up. Biegun declined to give any statements when he arrived at the airport.

This is a related development:

State Department North Korea envoy confirmed as deputy secretary of state
By Jennifer Hansler, CNN

Updated 5:56 PM ET, Thu December 19, 2019

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/19/politics/steve-biegun-deputy-secretary-of-state-confirmation/index.html

After the abortive attempt to resume working level negotiations between Biegun and Kim Myong Gil, at Stockholm, last October, Biegun complained that Kim the North Korean working level envoy, wasn't senior enough and didn't really have authority to negotiate. Envoy Kim said that the US side brought nothing new to the table and broke off those talks reciprocating the US side's earlier behavior at the Hanoi summit. Biegun had requested to meet with Choi Son Hui at one point but she had said that Biegun himself was a lower level official. So in Stockholm, Kim Myong Gil was what he got. Kim Hyuk Chol, the prior North Korean envoy, disappeared after the Hanoi debacle. Biegun's appointment to Deputy Secretary seems the latest move in the "you're not senior enough" game.

South Korea: LKP Thugs Threaten National Assembly

(Source- 닥쳐라정치, 12.16 ) Hwang Kyo-ahn, Liberty Korea Party leader, heads an unlawful demonstration of unruly right wing followers obstructing the entrance to the South Korean National Assembly Building.

(Source- JTBC News, 12.16) Hwang Kyo-ahn stands front and center of a group gathered unlawfully under LKP direction in front of the National Assembly building in Seoul, Korea.

Ambassador Harris, has signaled the US preference for the militarists on the far right in South Korea. The US flags at this unlawful Liberty Korea Party demonstration trespassing on the National Assembly grounds are their symbol of US bona fides. Their thuggish tactics at the democratic seat of government in South Korea are a political disgrace. The trespassers and bullies in front of the National Assembly building aim to shut down the National Assembly because they don't believe in democratic government. The fascist right is out of power and now an element of the opposition. They lost power when Park Geun-hye was impeached in April 2017. There was almost a military coup then imposed by martial law to derail the impeachment and trial of the now imprisoned Park Geun-hye. There appears to be the possibility of a coup now. It's safe to speculate that reactionary right wing governments in the US and Japan would have no problem with that.

Some of the fascist thugs in this crowd being encouraged to fight by the LKP leader Hwang Kyo-ahn allegedly assaulted some thirty members of the Democratic Party trying to go to work inside the assembly building. Hwang encouraged the trespassers, "we're winning. Thank you for your efforts." A former governor of Gyeonggido addressed the group telling them to not feel uncomfortable approaching the Assembly building because it was "their home" and that they should "make themselves comfortable." Demonstrating within a hundred meters of the National Assembly building is unlawful. The crowd also vandalized the reserved parking spaces for specific members of the Assembly, including the Speaker of the Assembly and the leader of the Democratic Party. The right wing supporters of the LKP and Hwang forced their way through the front gates of the grounds ostensibly protected by the police guards there. A small number of demonstrators forced themselves into the National Assembly building and became involved in another melee.

This is not a popular rebellion, it is groundwork being laid for martial law and a right wing coup d'etat. It's purpose is to create an atmosphere of intimidation and anarchy. The crowd is interfering with the functions of the National Legislature in a unlawful manner and directly threatening members of the Assembly that they don't like and have targeted for intimidation. Hwang had been criticized in the past by his base for not executing martial law in March or early April 2017 when the plans were in place while he was acting president during the Park Geun-hye impeachment and trial. Now he seems to be approaching the moment when he can be the man to trigger such an outcome, or at least create the circumstances where such an action can be entertained and rationalized.

This crowd wasn't that big. There is a cadre of political operatives running it supported by younger athletic men who know exactly what they are doing when they make physical contact with police and assault others.

This is a militarist right wing movement with christian evangelical support that arose out of the prior dictatorships and the prior corrupt administrations of Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye. Their goal is to overthrow the constitutionally elected government by obstructing its activities with unlawful methods including force. As predicted earlier here, the tactics take on the same characteristics as the movement in Hong Kong. The occupation of the legislative grounds and building was unprecedented. If a larger better equipped and directed police force is not present in the future, we can expect normal governance to cease in South Korea.

The parties of the left, center, and center right in South Korea need to close ranks and govern with resolve or they and their democracy will be destroyed and a fascist regime will emerge.

Update 12.17

The floor leader of the Democratic Party in South Korea, Lee In-young, in a press conference today, accused Hwang Kyo-ahn of instigating unlawful activities, and called for an immediate and thorough investigation and prosecution of all crimes which took place in Assembly Building venues on Dec 16. A prosecution team of 15 people has been assembled to pursue the investigation. Also on Dec. 17, 4000 police have been mobilized and currently are protecting the National Assembly. They have constructed a wall of police buses and plexiglass panels around the perimeter of the Assembly grounds to prevent intrusion by demonstrators or violent mobs.

Maximum Pressure leading to Maximum Failure?

(Source- JTBC News, 11.9) Kim Yong Chol, "We are a people with nothing more to lose." Chyron: Warning- "We can go back to the relationship that existed before the US-North Korean dialogue."

The obstacle to progress in denuclearization negotiations with North Korea is still the fundamental confrontation over the step by step method versus the all or nothing, no concessions, no trust building approach favored by US officials, elected or otherwise. Most Korea "experts" inside the beltway echo chamber just refuse to acknowledge this fundamental shortcoming in the US diplomatic approach which is first a process issue, and then secondarily a matter of great substantial importance. Either that, or they just want regime change in North Korea and can't imagine bargaining with the communist dictatorship under any circumstances other than complete capitulation by the North, often referred to as the Libyan approach.

"Sanctions have reached a point of diminishing returns. It is unlikely, therefore, that more “maximum pressure,” without a diplomatic strategy that offers Pyongyang positive inducements to negotiate steps toward denuclearization, will deliver results." Richard Nephew

Furious Futility: Maximum Pressure in 2020
BY: RICHARD NEPHEW
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
https://www.38north.org/2019/11/rnephew111519/

Town said North Korea has previously indicated a willingness to give up parts of its nuclear program as a first-phase deal, but not to discuss complete denuclearization up front.

“The North Koreans have always preferred a step by step approach rather than negotiating everything all at once,” Town said. (Jenny Town, editor of 38North.org.)

North Korea's U.N. envoy says denuclearization off negotiating table with United States
Michelle Nichols, David Brunnstrom
Dec. 7, 2019
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa/north-koreas-u-n-envoy-says-denuclearization-off-negotiating-table-with-united-states-idUSKBN1YB0FG


This is also the preference of Russia, China, and South Korea.

SEOUL - A senior adviser to South Korea's president expressed a broad range of frustrations at U.S. policy toward North Korea, saying Washington has not adequately empowered Seoul to play a mediating role with Pyongyang.

In an interview with VOA, Jeong Se-Hyun, who advises South Korean President Moon Jae-in on unification issues, also said the U.S. should offer more incentives to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

"Don't act as if you're offering a carrot while really you are using a stick," said Jeong. "North Korea must first be given carrots. Then if that doesn't work, you use a whip."

As North Korea's Deadline Approaches, South Pushes US for Progress
By William Gallo VOA News
December 01, 2019 10:04 AM
https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/north-koreas-deadline-approaches-south-pushes-us-progress

Achieving security and stability and reducing catastrophic risks on the peninsula will require intensive, expert-level negotiations and comprehensive, step-by-step implementation over many months and years. This broader effort cannot be viewed solely as a bilateral U.S.-North Korean discussion. It also must include China, South Korea, Japan, and Russia and address the security and political concerns of all the parties, including economic and humanitarian matters.

Economic, military, and diplomatic pressure helped bring the North Koreans to the table, but reaching a successful agreement will require carrots as well as sticks. Ernst J. Moniz and Sam Nunn

Lynn Rusten and Richard Johnson with Steve Andreasen and Hayley Anne Severance, Building Security Through Cooperation: Report of the NTI Working G roup on Cooperative Threat Reduction with North Korea (Washington, DC: Nuclear Threat Initiative, 2019), 2, https://media.nti.org/documents/NTI_DPRK2019_RPT_FNL.pdf. (from the forward by Ernst J. Moniz and Sam Nunn)

The necessary operating principle taken from the September 5, 2005 Six Party Talks:

And yet, a year and a half have passed. To move forward, the two countries should agree as a baseline on the fifth clause of the fourth round of the September 2005 Six-Party Talks: “The Six Parties agreed to take coordinated steps to implement the… consensus in a phased manner in line with the principle of ‘commitment for commitment, action for action.” Wada Haruki

Overcoming the San Francisco System: One Japanese Person’s View
Wada Haruki, with an introduction by Alexis Dudden, December 1, 2019
Asia-Pacific Journal, Volume 17,| Issue 23, Number 3, Article ID 5331
https://apjjf.org/2019/23/Wada.html

Conservative LKP Executive Committee rejects Na Kyung-won as Assembly floor leader

(Source- JTBC News, 12.4) Na Kyung-won, LKP floor leader in the National Assembly. "Today at the regular session, I will not question the matter of my term extension. Floor leader Na Kyung-won's foot steps stop here."

The Executive Committee of the right wing Liberty Korea Party earlier today after an all night long conference, voted not to renew Na Kyung-won's position as the Floor Leader of the opposition party in the National Assembly. It appears the conference where the decision took place was in a tent outside the Blue House grounds where LKP leader and former Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-Ahn, had been conducting his "hunger strike" until he gave that up last week. However after he left the hospital he returned to the scene of his demonstration where his followers and supporters waited.

At the opening of the National Assembly this morning, Na somewhat bitterly, announced she would respect the decision of the LKP Executive Committee, and not take a further step as the party floor leader. This "in order to ensure the good of the people and the unity of the party." There is a storm of indignation and criticism within the Liberty Korea Party at the step taken by the so called "pro Hwang faction" in the Executive Committee. Expressions of resistance, public, private and on line to the committee's resolution was plentiful. LKP members of the National Assembly questioned the authority of the party committee to make such a decision, and maintained it was the prerogative of sitting LKP National Assembly members. Further, some felt that the committee was without authority to make such a determination when the new session of the National Assembly was not yet convened pending elections in April.

(Source- JTBC News, 11.20) Liberty Korea Party leader, Hwang Kyo-ahn on a hunger strike in front of the Blue House grounds.

The future of the right wing opposition party is in doubt at a critical time in South Korean history as the rift between Hwang and Na breaks out into the open. One wonders what Na and Hwang discussed when she visited his tent in front of the Blue House grounds after returning from her recent US visit. That the Executive Committee's action might portend the end of the Liberty Korea Party as we know it, was a fear expressed publicly by some members. One LKP assembly member openly criticized Hwang's hunger strike affecting a pose as a party reformer, attempting to sanctify the party. His head shaving and fasting reminiscent of traditional ascetic protests, previously used by revered left leaning reformers such as Kim Dae-jung who opposed the prior military dictatorships of South Korea. The omnipresence of Christian conference leaders and their followers at Hwang's demonstration are an indication of where the base of former impeached President Park's predecessor Saenuri party lay.

Hwang's holier than thou effect, is an implied but unexpressed contrast to the alleged corruption and hypocrisy of Na Kyung-won's effort to use her political position during the Lee Myung-bak presidency to obtain her daughter's admission to college. This is the very same type of behavior that was used to drive the former democratic party justice minister from power only several weeks ago. I asked three weeks ago in a previous analysis, how long would Na last?*

*Conservative LKP Leader Na Kyung-won on the Ropes? November 14, 20019
https://civilizationdiscontents.blogspot.com/2019/11/conservative-lkp-leader-na-kyung-won-on.html

The internal criticism of the Executive Committee's action by Na's supporters within the LKP suggests that Hwang has privatized the party, making it his personal domain, betraying "the interests of the people." Na had just recently declared an all out legislative confrontation with the ruling coalition in the National Assembly by carrying out a filibuster to block all pending legislation before the end of the legislative session unless the proposed fast track reform bills were set aside by the Democratic Party. Democratic Party leaders are attempting to devise a strategy in conjunction with three small minority parties to nullify the filibuster. One tactic would be to declare an end to the regular session next week followed immediately by an extraordinary sesssion of the National Assembly to pass all pending legislation. Filibusters are not allowed in extraordinary session. So the looming constitutional crisis continues. It was hoped on the right that the left would be the victim, but it appears the right may crack first under the pressure.

Selfies of the old order: US officials in South Korea

(Source- VOA Korea, Washington Talk, Nov. 30) General Robert Abrams, US Forces Korea Commander (left), taking a selfie with retired ROK Army Gen. Baik Sun-yup. On the right is Eighth Army Commander, Lt.Gen. Michael Bills.

US generals and "diplomats" should keep posing with Gen. Baik Sun-yup.

That way South Koreans know where exactly US "values" really are, in support of conservative obstruction of South Korean democracy by the far right pro-Japan faction in South Korea. Gen. Baik Sun-yup is a hundred years old. The patron of the dictator Park Chung-hee represents the passing of the old order in South Korea. US leaders posing with him represent the failure of the US to come to terms with democracy in South Korea. Admiral, er, that is Ambassador Harris, posed with Gen. Baik recently as well. He isn't partial to Japan is he? The VOA's past messaging that US policy toward the current South Korea-Japan dispute is impartial is absurd. VOA Washington Talk's picture of the day belies the program's more deceptive talking points. Soo Kim, former CIA analyst now with the Rand Corporation, stumbled somewhat trying to articulate just what the US position was between South Korea and Japan, reflecting "US values." This appears to be new messaging coming from the US broadcast platform.

It's amazing that the VOA Korea Washington Talk program could go on for twenty five minutes without mentioning the US walkout at Hanoi, the failure of the US to implement the principles of Singapore, the deleterious effects of US and UN sanctions on humanitarian aid to North Korea, or the onerous and outrageously unreasonable 5 billion dollar demand on South Korea during the military cost sharing negotiations in South Korea. The latter in spite of the fact, that one of the "expert" guests, Colonel David Maxwell has authored a detailed and appropriate criticism of such demands in the recent past.*

*U.S.-ROK Relations, An Ironclad Alliance or a Transactional House of Cards?
by David Maxwell, November 15, 2019
https://www.nbr.org/publication/u-s-rok-relations-an-ironclad-alliance-or-a-transactional-house-of-cards/

In fact, the US negotiating team dramatically walked out from those negotiations in Seoul on Novemeber 19, mimicking Trump's act in Hanoi against Kim Jong Un and his North Korean delegation. To add insult to injury the undiplomatic US Ambassador openly lobbied members of the South Korean National Assembly in a rude and demeaning manner in an attempt to interfere with the internal workings of our ally's democracy. This US diplomatic activity is widely regarded in South Korea as extortion. The litany of provocative acts by North Korea including artillery exercises that violated the 9.19 military agreement with Seoul and the long range ballistic missile artillery launches over the holiday headed up the program. The two US B-52 missions into the Sea of Japan/ East Sea October 25 and November 22 went unmentioned. The latter mission was a joint mission with Japanese F-15s.*

*https://twitter.com/AircraftSpots/status/1197960029292249088

One of the US right wing objectives appears to be returning South Korea to the status of a tribute paying vassal state. The US diplomatic and military establishment is out of their depth trying to implement President Trump's arrogant financial objectives while at the same time, attempting to push an unwanted Indo-Pacific alliance on South Korea. South Korean critics openly compare US leadership in South Korea to the Japanese Protectorate. Hint, to Admiral Harris, this is not a good thing.

(Source- Yonhap News 11.21) Korean War Hero on Birthday. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20181121124600315

Admiral Harris pays homage to the former Japanese Imperial Army officer who served in Manchukuo on behalf of Japan during WWII. General Baik later led troops against the communist armed forces in the Korean conflict. Recently, the former ROK Army four star general has been rolled out at the forefront of encouraging active duty Armed Forces personnel to oppose the Moon Jae-in administration. How far ROK Army officers might go in their opposition is an open question in light of Saenuri Party (LKP) administration martial law plans in early 2017. One recently defecting LKP Assembly representative used the term "spitting in the well," to characterize South Korean conservative leadership flirting with reactionary generals.

There was a related controversy in South Korea on November 30th, when news media reported that Ambassador Harris in a conference earlier on September 24, at the US Ambassador's official residence, with members of various parties of the National Assembly, questioned whether President Moon Jae-in had surrounded himself with pro-North Korean leftists. This report was confirmed by more than one source present at the meeting according to the conservative Donga.com. A Democratic Party member asked Harris not to speak that way. This overtly ideological approach by Harris to internal South Korean politics is unprecedented and similar to the ideological slant of retired ROK generals and other elements of the far right calling for Moon Jae-in to be removed from office. The US Embassy when questioned about the report refused to comment saying it was agreed by the parties attending the conference that discussions were confidential.*

*해리스 “文대통령, 종북좌파에 둘러싸여있다” 발언 논란
조동주 기자 , 한기재 기자입력 2019-11-30 03:00수정 2019-11-30 03:00
http://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20191129/98601249/1

Update Dec. 2:

Harris' ideological framing of the issues appears to follow the language of a letter he transmitted to President Trump on behalf of LKP Assembly member Ahn Sang-soo in December 2018 disclosed by JTBC News on December 2, 2019. Ahn was present at the September meeting at Harris' official embassy residence. So Harris appears to be promoting the right wing opposition to the democratic administration of Moon Jae-in. The Korea Times has a report which includes criticism by the Democratic Party spokesperson that the former admiral was the most impolite ambassador she has ever met.*

*US envoy under fire for disparaging remarks on ally, By Do Je-hae, Park Ji-won, Dec. 3.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/12/113_279649.html

Book Burning in Japan (and South Korea)

This link below is to an academic discussion concerning how Shinzo Abe and the right wing LDP in Japan manipulate the press and the academia in their reporting and publishing concerning Japanese historical events and foreign relations, particularly in the US. The piece is quite detailed reporting on the history of Japanese interference in the use of grant and foundation monies to support academic fellowships and peer reviewed studies. Briefly discussed is the self censorship in the Japanese press. It is an obscure subject to Americans and the article is lengthy. I don’t want to steal any of the author’s thunder, nor violate the copyright concerns, so I’ll merely place the link here:

“Book Burning” in Japan
Frank Baldwin

https://apjjf.org/2019/21/Baldwin.html

I noticed the article because I had recently heard an interview in Korean media (JTBC News) by Professor Hosaka Fuji, Sejong University professor, in Seoul, describing how the Japanese government recruits outstanding Korean scholars studying in Japan to take on a pro-Japanese bias by giving them substantial financial payments on regular basis. This bias primarily involves taking on a right wing revisionist view of Japanese history which essentially denies the validity of foreign claims against Japan for war crimes or crimes against humanity, and discourages portraying Japanese policies in an unfavorable manner. My review of historical presentations on youtube suggest this practice concerning Korean scholars has been going on for some time, as there is a clique of pro-Japanese scholars in South Korea with known Japanese political and academic ties.

Upon review of Mr. Baldwin’s essay the practices in curbing academic freedom and press reporting by Japan appear similar to press practices that one expects to find and will find in prior South Korean dictatorships but also in the recent transitional regimes of right wing political leaders Lee Myung Bak and Park Geun Hye, who ostensibly were presidents of a “democratic South Korea.” These abuses were disclosed at the time of Park Geun Hye’s impeachment trial. Investigation revealed the maintenance of black lists of disfavored performers, authors, reporters, directors, and artists, took place in public broadcasting institutions and also under the Direction of the Ministry of Culture. Sports and Tourism, against individuals who didn’t express the right political views. This is from an article in the Diplomat addressing the later topic:

MBC and KBS labor unions have accused Ko and Kim of being involved in the execution of the “culture and arts blacklist” allegedly produced by the former Lee Myung-Bak administration. The blacklist has been reportedly designed to rule out certain celebrities or journalists from participating in media activities. It includes the names of stars, journalists, and announcers from various media fields including news, radio, variety shows, and drama who are known to have progressive political views. Famous figures such as comedian Kim Jae-dong and rock singer Yoon Do-hyun were said to have been included in the list.

Strife in South Korea Over Politics in Public Broadcasting Hyungmin Michael Kang Sep 17, 2017
https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/strife-in-south-korea-over-politics-in-public-broadcasting/

Here is another report from the Korea Herald in English which reveals the scope of the censorship and persecution operation:

The scandal refers to the actions of the administrations of former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak -- both currently imprisoned -- which kept a blacklist of nearly 10,000 figures in the culture and entertainment sectors, unfairly subjecting them to investigations and denying them government subsidies.

Of the 68 officials from the Culture Ministry, 10 are under criminal investigation, one was subjected to “severe disciplinary action” of unspecified nature and 33 received warnings. Of those from affiliated bodies, 21 will be subjected to disciplinary actions ranging from dismissal or suspension to pay cuts and 13 others will get warnings.*

*Culture Ministry apologizes for blacklist, gets blasted for insincerity
By Yoon Min-sik
Published : Dec 31, 2018 - 17:57
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181231000485

And:

Park ordered Kim and Cho to establish a list – that reportedly included some 10,000 names – of talent who were to be excluded from receiving state funding. They included film directors Lee Chan-dong (“Secret Sunshine”,) Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy”,) and Han Kang, novelist winner of the Booker Prize.*

*Korea’s Ex-Culture Minister Jailed for Operating Talent Blacklist
By PATRICK FRATER January 22, 2018
https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/korea-ex-culture-minister-jailed-blacklist-1202673389/

Hwang Kyo-ahn's Hunger Strike- Day 6

Hwang Kyo-ahn's hunger strike passes the six day mark. He's got a relatively small crowd of supporters, mostly religious and far right types setting up tents and making noise all day and night outside the Blue House in violation of various laws. There is a similar but smaller group outside the National Assembly. Two things could possibly happen, one, a police dispersal which could become a source of violence. The second could be the death of Hwang Kyo-ahn, the right wing leader, using the tactics of the left and occupy to attempt to thwart the fast track legislative reform legislation that will damage his party's prospects in the next election cycle. Na Kyung-won has been visiting Hwang in his tent in front of the Blue House. After the extension of the GSOMIA agreement, Hwang's hunger strike, had the appearance of some efficacy. An occupy like demonstration has emerged near the Blue House, that is reportedly in violation of different proscriptions, the first a security zone around the Blue House perimeter which Hwang's tent and the assembly nearby apparently violate. The second a violation of noise restrictions in the area. The third a violation of "anti-gypsy" proscriptions which disallow squatting or erecting quarters on public grounds for overnight occupation. The demonstrators claim there is an overriding Constitutional guarantee of political expression which protects them. Some critics dispute this. Hearing a debate on this subject, it appeared that time, place and manner restrictions are not a thing on the right for these purposes. There are similar concerns surrounding a related squatter type operation around the National Assembly grounds.

Moon Jae-in has been out of town the last few days for the ASEAN conference which Seoul is hosting in Pusan. The legal and political dilemna on the plaza and streets in front of the Blue House is apparently being handled by Blue House staff and other party leaders in his absence. Thus far, they have acted with great restraint unwilling to paint the disingenuous Hwang as a "patriotric martyr for the cause," as is portrayed on the new jackets worn by the occupiers in the streets. These squatters and their tents festooned with numerous US flags. Even if the legal grounds exist to disperse them, it would be likely to escalate into an undesirable situation. Thus far, Democratic party leaders have merely asked Hwang to have his followers leave voluntarily. Police have placed notices on the tents of their illegal status suggesting they may be removed by official action. One wonders how long this fiasco will go on.

Placards, banners and signs at demonstrators' scene, say Moon Jae-in is a communist, that he is a dictator ruining the country, that he should step down, etc. Moon's defenders point out that the incredible restraint shown by police is merely evidence of Moon's substantial resume as a defender of human rights and the principles of democracy.

See my immediately preceding post for more detailed discussion of issues related to Hwang's hunger strike.

Update, 11.30: Hwang Kyo-ahn's hunger strike was even shorter than expected. After being hospitalized Wednesday night, it was announced he had given up his hunger strike on Friday. LKP floor leader Na Kyung-won has announced a new filibuster strategy to block all legislation until the end of the regular session of the National Assembly. So the struggle against election reform and prosecution reform continues at the expense of the 200 pending legislative bills before the Assembly.

Hwang Kyo-ahn's Hunger Strike

(Source- JTBC News, 11.20) Liberty Korea Party leader, Hwang Kyo-ahn on a hunger strike.

Just over a month ago, in a commentary titled Political Turmoil in South Korea, I asked, "...So what will the wily LKP leaders come up with for their next move? More mass street demonstrations? Attempts by demonstrators to enter the Blue House? Violent Black Bloc type tactics seen in Hong Kong presaged in the October 3 Gwangwhamun demonstration? Anything could happen." Well now we have it. Right wing Liberty Party Korea leader, Hwang Kyo-ahn, has gone on a "hunger strike," the South Korean news media reported yesterday. This is a further variation on Hwang's holier than thou pose as an ascetic when he shaved his head as a protest against the suspected corruption of then Justice Minister Cho Kuk. That particular cause, after Cho's resignation, seems to have exhausted itself in light of the accusations against LKP floor leader in the Assembly, Na Kyung-won. Now, Hwang says he's "determined to die" as part of his sit-in hunger strike. His hunger strike started at 2:00 pm local time in Seoul according to JTBC.

The backdrop is the change in political tides against Hwang and his colleague, LKP floor leader Na Kyung-won. The latter has been accused in the press with corruption in connection with her daughter's college admission. This corruption is hypocritically tied to her self described sense of "public service" on behalf of the Special Olympics. Suffice it to say, her alleged corruption seems remarkably similar to that imputed to Cho Kuk, against whom she and Hwang campaigned making appearances in the streets in Gwangwhamun Plaza with hundreds of thousands to express their moral indignation until Cho's resignation. Now, Na plans to leave the country for a break from the focus on her corruption to address GSOMIA and SOFA disputes with members of the US Congress. Her appearance at the international airport on the way out of the country today presented an awkward sight to say the least. But it's better than staying in South Korea for the time being while two criminal inquiries are pending against her. This also gives Na the opportunity to dissociate herself from Hwang's hunger strike, while giving Na the appearance of actually being engaged somehow in a real political process rather than the obstructionism which is her forte in the Assembly as the LKP opposition leader. One has to wonder what her real intentions are. It almost gives the impression of leaving a house on fire.

(Source- JTBC News, 11.20) Reo Yeong-kuk, Justice Party, "While there is much talk inside and outside that the LKP must reform, the answer will not be a hunger strike; rather than cutting off food, he should cut off politics."

But back to Hwang's hunger strike. Hwang, The LKP leader and former prime minister under Park Geun-hye is resorting to the old tradition in the Chosun court to make an individual petition to the throne by placing oneself at risk in front of the palace royal hall. This involved the petitioner being subjected to the hardships of nature and the elements until one is either heard by the King and receives an appropriate response or literally dies in the process. Anyone who watches South Korean historical dramas is familiar with these scenes. However, what is curious is why a political party leader finds it necessary to do this when South Korea today is a democracy? Such actions are typically a manifestation of powerlessness and desperation. Yes, there is the dramatic patina of virtue which goes with such scenes where the historical actor risks their life for a principle. It is apparent that Hwang's demonstration is also drama for television, like shaving his head was several weeks ago. Apart from the dramatic pictures, it is certain that Hwang will be making trips to the rest room, and drinking water.

The public venues Hwang has chosen to to make his demonstration are subject to other pre-scheduled events which conflict with his plans. So he had to move from the venue in front of the Blue House to a position on the National Assembly grounds which again had an event conflicting with Hwang's demonstration necessitating another move. When the temperature dropped at night Hwang was seen donning his duck down winter outer clothing and a blanket, taking a departure from the historical practice. It was noted by newscasters that he used a cushion to sit on the hard ground surfaces. So Hwang is not so much placing himself under maximum deprivation or risking his health in an immediate sense as in the customary practice but grandstanding for the cameras. The act isn't going over well. One cannot overestimate the desperate situation the LKP leader finds himself in politically to undertake such posturing. JTBC news commentators and seasoned politicians referred to it as a crisis in leadership. It appears that Hwang may have coordinated this event with the evangelical leader Jeon Gwang- hoon, executive director of the United Christian Conference, who played a key role in the Gwanghwamun demonstrations where he called for the impeachment of Moon Jae-In, "effective immediately." Jeon has been criticized as a demagogue and right wing extremist.

Hwang said he's demonstrating against the harm the Moon Jae-in government has done to South Korea, and against the further harm it appears is on the way. Specifically he's referring to fast track legislation to which four other parties have agreed to circumvent LKP stonewalling on legislation during the 20th Session of the National Assembly. In his statement of grievances Hwang addressed the prosecution reform particularly the provision for a specific office for investigation of crimes by public officials. Hwang asserted this was a means for Moon Jae In to punish those who oppose him. Secondly, the fast track proposal increasing the number of proportional seats and reducing district representation seats, if approved on the Assembly floor is virtually certain to adversely affect the number of LKP representatives. This proposal according to Hwang was Moon Jae In's design to "serve himself." Yet this will benefit the under represented smaller parties in the National Assembly who support the reform. This is the real crisis for the LKP. Democracy in the form of proportional representation is rearing its ugly head. The far right conservatives in Hwang's party lose even more political power adding insult to injury after their collapse in the last election cycle. Hwang has adopted the GSOMIA issue as well. He's making the US argument on behalf of intelligence sharing with Japan. It's unlikely this will earn many political points in light the humiliating treatment South Korea has received from Abe's Japan over the past few months, and the continuing "shameful," browbeating the South Korean people have witnessed from US officials in the last few weeks.

(Source- JTBC News, 11.20) Hong Joon-pyo, "What sort of hunger strike? Will a hunger strike solve a problem? Before that there is the problem that must be solved politically."

It's not suprising that criticism of Hwang's hunger strike is coming from all quarters including his own party which is showing some signs of fracturing under the pressure. Obviously there would be criticism from the incumbent party in power, the Democratic Party which regards Hwang's hunger strike as a nuisance born of anxiety on his part. The Justice Party representative suggested that rather than quitting food Hwang should quit politics. Hong Joon-pyo the former leader of the LKP, with an eye to his successor in interest's faltering position, suggested that Hwang as a the party leader should be engaged in a political solution rather than a hunger strike. He also stated that Hwang's hunger strike wouldn't budge Moon Jae-in one bit. Hong made very critical statements about the matter on line. Another member of the LKP cited Hwang's action as more evidence of a leadership crisis in the LKP which requires the establishment of a new conservative party. A spokesperson for the Barun Mirae Dang the center right party, in favor of fast track legislation, was similarly critical of Hwang's leadership.

Train of US diplomatic blunderers in South Korea compared to Alice Roosevelt

(JTBC News- 11.19) Alice Roosevelt riding a stone horse statue at the Memorial for Empress Myeongsong, acting as if she were "riding a carousel at an amusement park." The picture is from the Cornell University Library collection.

Alice cavorted around Seoul being treated like an American princess after Teddy Roosevelt had already sold out Korean sovereignty to the Japanese at the Treaty of Portsmouth September 5, 1905. The great powers bargained away Korea's sovereignty to Japan to serve their own imperial interests. Russia actually was the only power to resist the Japanese, but that was because they had wanted to make Korea a Russian domain. The Russians lost the Russo-Japanese War and had to sign the Portsmouth Treaty arranged by President Roosevelt, in which Japan's dominance in Korea was acknowledged. Later in September 1905, King Gojong still thought the US might be of help to avoid the Japanese takeover of Korea when President Roosevelt's daughter, Alice Roosevelt, visited Korea. Other high ranking US diplomats who had been traveling with Alice through other Asian capitals didn't bother to come. Korea's fate was already cast.

Alice attended a formal dinner presented in her honor by the "Emperor," and rode in his palanquin through the streets of Seoul. Her memorable faux pas was to jump on the back of a stone horse statue at the memorial mound of Empress Myeongseong who in 1895 had been assassinated by the Japanese. At least Alice had an excuse. She was immature, so the editorial goes. Alice wrote that Emperor Gojong of Korea, small in stature, cut a piteous insensitive figure. Here we are more than a hundred years later.

What is the excuse of the US Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris, who is among those who have been jawboning Korean officials for weeks? Secretary Esper? Mr. DeHart? It isn't the 1950s or the end of the Russo-Japanese War during the heyday of imperialism. South Korea is no longer run by the conservative heirs of pro-Japanese dictators and their cronies. Allison Hooker and other "experts" are giving team Trump in Asia very bad advice. South Korea isn't going to "get over" it's dispute with Japan in the manner they have in mind. Nor will it cave to US extortion. And that is what it is being called in Korea, extortion. The behavior of US officials is described as "shameful."

(Source- JTBC News 11.18) South Koreans demonstrate against US military cost sharing demands outside US embassy. Signs say, is this an alliance or highway robbery? Chyron reads "Opposition to US extortion of taxpayer money. Opposition to US humiliating negotiations."

Esper, Harris, DeHart, General Milley, General Abrams, and others are making absurd demands with no basis in existing agreements. Ambassador Harris has been buttonholing members of the Korean National Assembly, particularly the opposition members making the absurd demand for five times the current South Korean cost sharing contribution to US defense costs in Korea. Also, they are pressuring South Korea to cave in to US demands to participate in, what is in effect, a new defense alliance with Japan and other US allies throughout the Indo-Pacific. The US is blatantly taking up for Japan in the continuing political and economic dispute between the two countries. It's pretty clear that without some concessions by the imperial minded Abe, the GSOMIA agreement for sharing military information will lapse on the 23rd as scheduled. The Chair of the Intelligence Committee in the National Assembly, Lee Hye-hoon, referred to Ambassador Harris' repeated demands as rude and unreasonable. The US cost sharing demand has been dead on arrival for weeks. US diplomats and generals must be stone deaf.

The South Korean government has no intention of allowing the US or Japan to dictate their foreign policy. The South Koreans have repeatedly confirmed their commitment to the alliance with the United States but they are not capitulating to absurd or unreasonable demands.

Ruins of Hwangseong

(황성의 적〉(荒城의 跡), 또는 〈황성옛터〉Hwangseong Ruins

현재 가사

황성옛터에 밤이 되니 월색만 고요해 At Hwangseong ruins, as night turns, only the silence of moonlight

폐허에 서린 회포를 말하여 주노나 The limned ruins unburdened tell me

아 외로운 저 나그네 홀로 잠 못 이뤄 Ah, solitary traveler, here one cannot sleep.

구슬픈 벌레 소리에 말없이 눈물져요 At the mournful insect sounds, tears well without a word

성은 허물어져 빈터인데 방초만 푸르러 The walls demolished an empty place, only the fragrant green grass

세상의 허무한 것을 말하여 주노나 The world is a futile thing, it tells

아 가엾다 이 내 몸은 그 무엇 찾으려 Ah, pitiful, my heart what does it seek

덧없는 꿈의 거리를 헤매고 있노라 In a fleeting dream, wandering the streets


나는 가리라 끝이 없이 이 발길 닿는 곳 I'm taken without end by my steps to the place

산을 넘고 물을 건너 정처가 없이도 Over mountains and across streams without stopping

아 한없는 이 심사를 가슴속 깊이 품고 Ah, without bounds, this thought i embrace deep within my chest

이 몸은 흘러서 가노니 옛터야 잘 있거라 As I travel onward, old ruins fare-thee-well!

This song was written in 1928. Hwangseong, literally means emperor's castle. The lyrics were inspired by ruins of Manwoltae in Kaseong, Korea. The lyricist Hwang Peong was part of a traveling theatrical group. The melody was composed by Jeon Su Rin. Lee Ae-ri was the singer. The popular hit was among those first recorded in Korean to be played on gramophone. It's said that 50,000 records were produced beginning in 1932. The song was banned by the Japanese and suppressed because it was believed to express resistance to Japanese colonial rule. If anything the repressed song became more popular. The song appeared in many guises over the years as it was performed by multiple artists. The elegy was felt to express the heated spirit in the hearts of the Korean people. There are two versions of the lyrics, modern (above) which I have attempted to interpret here, and the contemporary version at the Korean wikipedia source below.

https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%99%A9%EC%84%B1%EC%98%9B%ED%84%B0

[강릉선교장] 황성옛터 - 이정표(Jungpyo Lee)
Here is a link to Jungpyo Lee's beautiful rendition of Hwangseong Ruins:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvUkRa6_Zbo

Trump's Diplomatic Approach to South Korean Alliance: Trash and Crash

Whether it's the ridiculous demand for five billion dollars in military cost sharing put forward by the US in the Special Measures Agreement negotiations currently pending between representatives of the US and South Korea, or whether it is the continuing US pressure to renew the General Sharing of Military Information Agreement before it expires November 23, the US appears to be following a policy undermining the legitimacy of South Korean rule as a sovereign democratic state.

As pointed out in the the Hankyoreh, there is no international agreement supporting the unreasonable and unprecedented US demand for an increase of South Korean military cost burden sharing from approximately one billion to five billion dollars a year. The US team attempting to ram this down South Korea's throat has absolutely no understanding of South Korean history nor its domestic political situation. Ostensibly, the negotiating team leader James Dehart was sent, without notice, to South Korea last week to gain some understanding of the situation and South Korean perspective on this matter. Conservatives in the National Assembly are no more receptive to financially overbearing demands than the democratic administration of President Moon Jae-in. It simply defies belief how tone deaf the US "diplomacy" really is. They have been told by the South Korean Foreign Minister that the US demand is outside the scope of the Status of Forces Agreement and will be rejected by the National Assembly. Even if it were even remotely plausible that any credible group of South Korean politicians would accept such demeaning demands, which there isn't, the Democratic Party leaders in the Assembly could simply table any proposed ratification at the committee level so that it never sees the light of day. So it appears the US team has zero comprehension of the democratic political processes in South Korea. They also miscalculate their influence in contemporary South Korea by attempting to browbeat the South Korean side.

A similar unsavory prospect is presented by the US demands that the South Korean government renew the GSOMIA agreement without a satisfactory quid pro quo from the Abe administration in Japan. While pretending to take an impartial role based upon regional security concerns, a failure by the US to play an intermediary role between Japan and South Korea in their current diplomatic dispute is little more than taking up the Japanese cause of trade war in defense of historical revisionism to the detriment of regional security.

(Source- JTBC News, 10.3) The Taegukki People's Revolution Movement, a reactionary far right organization, appeared to be present at the demonstration in force, carrying US flags as well as Korean flags. Their banner (above) featured the former ruthless dictators Syngman Rhee and Park Chung Hee. It's clear where they're coming from.

The upcoming defense cost sharing negotiations with Japan and Germany are an ultimate objective as the US team Trump tries to break down South Korean resistance to unreasonable demands from it's so called ally to bolster it's own military budget which is out of control as a result of poor budget planning in all dimensions. The target seems to be making an example of the relatively weaker South Korea as one of the most vulnerable allies. Ironically, South Korea spends more of its GDP on military expenditures for its own defense than any other US NATO ally. It recently expended 10 billion dollars accommodating the US base transition plan to Camp Humphreys in Pyongtaek, the largest US military base outside the US. It also purchases billions in US military equipment. Nevertheless, the unreasonable US demands threaten the integrity of the political process in South Korea both in the Assembly and in upcoming elections for Assembly seats in April. No assemblyman nor party in South Korea can put themselves in the position of capitulating to such unreasonable demands from an outside power, ally or not.

Massive far right demonstrations took place in the street in Gwanghwamun for the past few weeks by fascist supporters of prior dictators who historically acted as puppets of the US and pro-Japanese elements in the power structure. This weekend religious fundamentalists and former military officers dressed in Erwin Rommel chic addressed a crowd bearing hundreds, if not thousands of US flags. This won't change the political calculations in the National Assembly or the Blue House. Anyone seen capitulating to the US and Japanese manipulations to return to a semi-colonial quisling status will be branded as a traitor whose name will go down in infamy. On the other hand, a failure to obtain an SMA agreement on military cost sharing will be political catastrophe for the South Korean administration. These US and Japanese tactics are starting to smell like a regime change formula for the democratically elected government of South Korea.

See: [News analysis] The US’ intentions behind ramping up S. Korea’s share of defense costs
Posted on : Nov.8,2019 17:49 KST Modified on : Nov.8,2019 17:49 KST
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/916356.html

[Editorial] US contradicting itself by pressuring S. Korea to extend GSOMIA
Posted on : Nov.7,2019 16:52 KST Modified on : Nov.7,2019 16:52 KST
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/916184.html

Tainted Retired General Comes to the "Aid" of Hwang Kyo-ahn

Man on horseback comes to the rescue?

Former ROK Army Commander of the 2nd Operational Command, Park Chan-ju, has made a splash in political and media circles, by publicly announcing he is interested in running for the National Assembly representative as a nominee of the opposition Liberty Korea Party. Park pretty much ended his long military career in a cloud of opprobrium. He was investigated by the Suwon District Prosecutors Office for abuse of military subordinates at his official residence. The case was referred by the Army. The couple allegedly used Army subordinates in uniform to wash clothes, and drive the general's children here and there on private business in official vehicles. Other allegations were that uniformed service members were used to tend a private garden and also to fetch golf balls. Service members alleged they were verbally and physically abused by the general's wife. The charges against the general were dropped. Notably, the accusations originated at the Military Human Rights Center and were based upon statements of complaining service members who worked at the general's official residence.

See: South Korean general, wife accused of treating conscripts like ‘slaves’
https://www.stripes.com/news/south-korean-general-wife-accused-of-treating-conscripts-like-slaves-1.481890

Along with this disgraceful episode General Park was charged for accepting bribes and improper gifts and services from private donors. After conviction at the first trial he was given a suspended sentence of four months and some heavy fines. At a second trial he was acquitted of the bribery charge, but found to have violated military rules with respect to the acceptance of gratuities and fined a relatively small amount, four million won related to recognized improprieties.

(Source- JTBC News 11.3) Former General of the ROK Army Park Chan-ju, progress of judicial process: Abuse of employees charge- not guilty disposition; bribery charges- found not guilty at second trial; graft charges- fined 4 million won.

General Park recently made widely covered public statements that the Moon Jae-in administration is damaging South Korean national security by seeking peace not backed by military strength. Additionally, he has attacked BG Im Tae-hun, from the Military Human Rights Center, indicating that his allegations concerning public disclosures of the martial law plans drawn up by the National Security Council in early 2017 while Hwang Kyo-ahn was acting president of South Korea, were politically motivated and untrue. The retired general claimed to be speaking on behalf of active duty generals who were not free to speak out against the administration.

What is sensational about the former general's remarks made at a public press conference is a statement that it was apparent to him that Im Tae-hun had not ever been to the Samcheong Education Camp, which is a reference to a harsh boot camp like political education center to which 40,000 political prisoners were sent after martial law was declared by Chun Doo-hwan in May 1980. Many persons sent to this camp at the time either died from their injuries or were seriously injured. Prisoners were commonly physically beaten and suffered other kinds of painful behavior modification techniques. It seems telling that the general would make such a reference considering the recent charges of abuse of service members against him, the history of the Samcheong facility, and the current political context. The reference imputes a sinister message to the Liberty Korea Party for those who have not yet recognized the implications of the veneration of the tradition of the dictatorships, and the current political threat of a return to such conditions.

(Source- JTBC News, 11.4 ) Former ROK Army General Park Chan-ju: "The head of the Military Human Rights Center (Im Tae-hun, center) needs to go to Samcheong Education Camp."

Political commentators noted that the general does not seek to run as a proportional representation candidate of the Liberty Korea Party which may indicate something about the prospects of a junior candidate's Liberty Korea Party earning enough votes to put him in office. He prefers to run as his home district's ( Cheonan city, Chungcheondo) candidate where it is felt his prospects would be much better. It is acknowledged that among conservative circles there would naturally be support for General Park as a National Assembly candidate. It is questioned if it wouldn't be imprudent, in light of the recent Cho Kuk debacle to put forward a candidate who regardless of judicial outcomes in the Suwon District Court, seems to share some features of the recent Justice Minister's corruption scandal. A concern is that younger party members and voters would be put off by the old general's political baggage and his hyperbolic references to prior martial law mechanisms. As one JTBC political analyst put it "wouldn't it be adding insult to injury?" The LKP seems to be moving further and further right in an effort to regain political power from the democratic administration. Will they adopt the messaging of the old general on horseback? Or will the LKP back away from blatant far right extremism that they have been coyly seeking to unleash?

(Source- JTBC News 11.4) On May 17, 1980, directly after the emergency declaration of martial law, the National Security Emergency Countermeasures Committee, as a part of the Social Purification Policy, established the military command, the Samcheong Education Camp.

For background on Samcheong "Training" Camp see:

S. Korean junta punished civilians with military camp in early 1980s: report
Posted on : Nov.11,2006 16:50 KST Modified on : Nov.11,2006 16:50 KST

http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/171123.html

Hwang Kyo-ahn Has it Both Ways

As long as, the former prime minister is suspected of considering martial law plans in 2017, he seeks to take political credit from those who would have welcomed martial law, while denying he had any role.

(Source- JTBC News, 10.28 ) Hwang Kyo-ahn, former prime minister, and leader of the Liberty Korea Party, (right); and Na Kyung-won, National Assembly floor leader of Liberty Korea Party, (center) attend 40th Memorial Service for assassinated dictator Park Chung-hee (10.26). Hwang is quoted as saying, "we must learn the spirit of Park Chung-hee."

There are recent reports on the disclosure of new evidence, National Security Council documents, detailing preparations for the implementation of martial law during the waning days of the Park Geun-hye impeachment proceedings. During this time in February and early March 2017, it appears from the documentation, that the commander of the Defense Security Command, prepared plans to implement martial law, to avoid the fall of the conservative Park Geun-hye administration. The official National Security Council documents are circumstantial evidence that the then acting president and prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, had knowledge of the plans, and perhaps as acting chair of the NSC, played a role in their formulation. Hwang has made flat denials of any knowledge of such preparations for the implementation of martial law to save the conservative administration. At the time, democratic opposition protesters were carrying out massive demonstrations in Gwanghwamun and other locations in South Korea during the pendency of the Park Geun-hye impeachment process. Other observers have attempted to belittle the significance of the martial law plans, suggesting that at worst, they were only contingency plans to deal with public disorder rather than a coup d'etat to overthrow the constitutional order. It is not clear what happened during the very last days preceding the conviction of Park Geun-hye by the Constitutional Court. The critical witness to the formulation of the martial law plans, and their potential execution was the commander of the Defense Security Command, Cho Hyun-cheon ( 조현천 기무사령관 ). He was the key person involved in their development. It is important to note in this regard, that the same role was played by former president Chun Du-won as the Defense Security Command commander after the assassination of Park Chung-hee (Park Geun-hye's father) forty years earlier after the fall of the Yushin Constitution. The coup planning DSC commander Cho Hyun-cheon, in question now, fled South Korea, and his whereabouts are allegedly unknown. Interpol has refused to issue a warrant calling for his arrest citing a policy not to use legal process in political cases. All of this is according to an interview of Im Tae-hun of the Military Human Rights Center ( 임태훈 군인권센터 ) who represents the whistle blower who leaked classified NSC documents. *


* https://news.v.daum.net/v/20191021211005908, (transcript of youtube podcast) MBC radio interview 10.21

(Source- OhMyNews 10.30) Im Tae-hun press briefing at the Military Human Rights Center.


Significant detail in the 2017 martial law plans in question called for various army units to deploy to the Gwanghwamun plaza site of the so-called "candlelight" demonstrations, multiple major university campus locations, strategic bridges in Seoul, and to Yoido, the location of the National Assembly. All these tactical moves with a view toward dispersing demonstrators, arresting activists and political opposition leaders, blocking movements of citizens, and preventing the normal governmental functions of the National Assembly.

In an ironic turnabout, the Liberty Korea Party currently in its role of political opposition, has organized demonstrations at Gwanghwamun against the current Moon Jae-in, democratic administration. Although LKP floor leader Na, gave herself an award for toppling the Justice Minister Cho Guk from his newly appointed position, it is likely that the Chief Prosecutor's office is the more responsible party. After attending an overnight Gwangwhamun demonstration this weekend, LKP leaders Hwang and Na, attended the 40th memorial ceremony for former president Park Chung-hye. The former president has been credited with modernizing the Korean economy while ruling South Korea with an iron fist in a military like social order. The former dictator was also credited with "normalizing" relations with Japan, which the blog has described elsewhere. This modernization effort was characterized by self serving corruption by the former Japanese trained military officer and his pro-Japanese political and business cronies. The LKP represents the heirs of this Park political tradition. These interests have consistently blocked efforts to come to terms with the Japanese colonial legacy in Korea for decades.


Cho Guk recently had been appointed Justice Minister to reform the national prosecutor's office. It appears that there was an element of bias in prosecution resistance to the widely supported initiative to check the unbridled power of the "republic of lawyers." The apparent corruption of Cho Guk's family members gave them a lever to force him out of office. The prosecutor's office was accused of multiple leaks by some journalists which added to the political unrest in the streets. On the other hand, the lawyer, Im Tae-hoon who represents the martial law plans whistle blower, asserts that the Chief Prosecutors Office has deliberately sat on documentation that casts suspicion on Hwang Kyo-Ahn's complicity in martial law plans. The far right opposes fast track reform while an agreement has been reached by four political parties to fast track the prosecutorial reform legislation so as to get a floor vote during this session of the National Assembly.

Source- JTBC News, 10.28 ) Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, and Na Kyung-won, National Assembly floor leader of Liberty Korea Party, are front and center at the 40th Memorial Ceremony for the former President Park Chung-hee, 10.26. The sign above the portal says refers to President Park Chung-hee's philosophy as a father of the country, "a proper country has a strong military."

Ironically, Hwang's presence at the memorial service for the former dictator was marked by some boos and jeers calling him "traitor." It is notable that the impeachment of Park Geun-hye took place while Hwang was acting president. She was tried under impeachment proceedings before the Constitutional Court. Apparently some in the conservative audience thought Hwang should have done something about it while he had the opportunity. The peaceful transition of power by impeachment and free elections, is viewed as a betrayal by the ultra far right elements attending not only the Park 40th Memorial but also the current Gwanghwamun demonstrations sponsored by the LKP: protestant evangelicals that elected Park Geun-hye; and the far right pro-dictator elements. Hwang has been reported to have said things such as we need to remember "Park Chung-hee's leadership concerning the economy during a difficult economic period of which there are many examples." Also "we must learn the spirit of Park Chung-hee." As to the anti-Moon Jae-in demonstrations calling for the democratic president's arrest and ouster, Hwang said the demonstrations reflect the "anger of the people." Political commentators noted that it is evident that the LKP leadership intends these demonstrations continue. There were other cynical observations about the role of churches and the party apparently furnishing free food as inducements to gather. One expert said, Cho Guk's fall was no cause to relax, "they caught the rabbit in the house, now it's time to catch the rabbit in the mountain." Another observation was that South Korea may only be at the half way point in this constitutional confrontation.

In another late news item, it was reported that leader Na, appeared at press briefing with the National Assembly leader, Moon Hee-sang, and two other party leaders, to announce that the Assembly committee handling fast track legislation approved referral of a prosecutorial reform bill to the Assembly floor for a vote. During the news item it was noted that the representatives from the center right Barun Mirae Party, and the Justice Party were demonstrating on the floor for a vote to fast track the Legislative reform bill first. As the blog has noted previously, it is this extension of proportional (nation wide) seating that is expected to decrease the number of district seats held by the Liberty Korea Party. Until this matter is resolved, street politics and associated political theater in Seoul are likely to continue unabated. Na said something like this to the National Assembly leader, "I'd rather stop this unconstitutional fast track process than hold hands (for a photo shoot)." The leader responded, "I'd rather hold a wrist, than be grabbed by the ankle." The latter a reference to the continual obstruction of legislation by the LKP opposition. LKP physical obstruction of committee efforts led by Na last April is currently subject to an investigation by prosecutors.

Andrew Yang and Truckers

I drove non-union OTR for nine years and I am struck by how autonomous trucking is viewed by non-truckers as a pressing issue. There are other more immediate major abuses of non-union truckers taking place every day, among those long hours, low pay, pay by the mile pay rates, regulatory abuses, using non-union sub-contractors by union carriers, family separation, the loss of per diem tax deductions in the Trump tax legislation, etc. I'm sure if you average in union paid drivers with non-union drivers you can get this $46,000 figure, that Andrew Yang cites, but non-union drivers don't make this much and they have substantial expenses living and working on the road. The experienced drivers that I've met that made more than this were either union or driving illegally. Many of these issues are aggravated by the mandate for electronic logs which were inherently inflexible under the pre-mandate hours of service regulations. Yet transportation interests lobbied for regulations which, in effect, allow MORE HOURS of duty per day. "Independents," many of whom drive under a faux "independent contractor" model similar to uber, which I think is well known now, has its own set of issues.

It's very difficult to come up a regulatory scheme to address these real and diverse immediate issues. Autonomous trucking is more of an issue that dilettantes like to discuss. I'm not saying that it won't conceivably become a major issue in the future, but drivers driving now face more immediate issues, like falling asleep at the wheel from onerous just in time demands placed upon them by the industry, that cause them to drive irregular hours under regulations that serve the industry and not the driver. The focus on autonomous trucks avoids the discussion of the causes of exhausted drivers falling asleep or lapsing into inattentive driving, killing thousands as Yang notes in one of his campaign videos. Yang, as a technocratic politician doesn't offer a regulatory solution directed at this major safety issue but poses autonomous trucking as the solution because robotic trucks "don't get tired." If you had a small group of experienced truckers from different groups, union, non-union, employee, independents, and the "faux independents," you'd get a more serious discussion and more substantial proposals for meaningful change than Andrew Yang's approach as is described in Krystal Ball's "Rising" video for The Hill or from his own campaign video on the subject. I'll apologize in advance if Mr. Yang has addressed these thorny regulatory issues already. Perhaps his message just didn't "reach" me yet. These observations are intended to be constructive.

Korean Students Trespass on US Ambassador's Residence: Reflections

One can read or watch the short accounts of a relatively small group of South Korean college students climbing the wall of Ambassador Harris' official residence in Seoul. Some well qualified pundits of South Korean affairs have taken the opportunity to righteously condemn what was an obviously illegal demonstration. Nineteen students involved have been arrested. The historical and political context is somewhat lost, as legality is the ultimate arbiter for others, as Americans sometimes tacitly and sometimes openly approve of illegal operations when it favors their own cause. One, can't help but think of the "Free Choseon" group that attacked the North Korean embassy in Madrid on the eve of the Hanoi Summit. For a brief time, this was a cause celebre in certain US circles. The former Marine intelligence specialist, Christopher Ahn, was arrested in the US for his alleged participation, jailed, and then released on conditions pending a Spanish government extradition request. Whatever intelligence was gleaned from the hand phones and hard drives taken from the DPRK embassy by the group, was delivered to the FBI, not surprisingly. A patina of official legality was maintained by returning the items, issuing a warrant for Adrian Hong, the group's Yale educated ring-leader, and arresting Ahn.

But all that aside, the substance of the unlawful "sit in" demonstration at the US Ambassador's residence is historically significant because it relates back to a time in the late 19th Century when foreign legations sought to control Korea's fate. Early on, the Japanese and Chinese contended for dominance in late Chosun. The Chinese were defeated by the fledgling modern Japanese armed forces in the Sino-Japanese War. After that the Russian and Japanese delegations vied for control of the Chosun emperor's court. Empress Myeongseong who attempted to resist Japanese coercion of the struggling Chosun dynasty, was assassinated by agents of the Japanese right in Gyeongbokgung palace, October 28, 1895. Periodically, Japanese troops entered the palace grounds. Gojong the "Emperor" was offered protection in the Russian legation official residence. That refuge didn't last. The Russians ultimately lost the Russo-Japanese War for dominance in Korea. For a brief period Gojong moved next to the US legation residence in Seoul to obtain the advantage of the protection of USMC guards next door. That didn't last as the US abandoned it's "open door" policy in Chosun for a cynical deal with the Japanese recognizing their dominance in Korea in exchange for US colonial dominance in the Philippines.

Lee Won Yong, prime minister, and Ito Hirobumi, resident general of the Korean protectorate, circa 1907. Ito was assassinated in Harbin in 1909, and Lee was the victim of an attempted assassination by stabbing months later in Seoul. Lee was known at the leading traitor of Eulsa. As the erstwhile leader of the Korean Independence Federation, and prime minister of Chosun, Lee had lost foreign support for the independence of Korea.


In 1905, the "Emperor" Gojong refused to sign the "Treaty of Eulsa," which made Korea a "protectorate" of Japan. Those Korean officials who did sign it went down in infamy as the "traitors of Eulsa," which unfortunately included the acting prime minister, who also led the Korean Independence Federation, and betrayed its principles for the proverbial forty pieces of silver (actually he was paid about 2.5 million in gold upon signing the Treaty). Although it is said that Korea didn't become a colony until it was officially annexed in 1910, it had already lost all it's sovereignty as a protectorate in 1905. Japanese undue influence over Korea essentially began with it's military involvement in the suppression of the Tonghak movement in 1894 and ebbed and flowed until its victory over Russia in 1905. This was a period when the legations of the more powerful states in the region routinely interfered in the domestic and foreign affairs of Korea. The Korean crown prince was held as a hostage by the Resident General Ito Hirobumi after the Eulsa capitulation. Annexation in 1910, with its pretensions of legality in the heyday of imperialism was just a formality.

So this period so important to the genesis of the Korean Independence Movement, is the backdrop for modern Korean events. Politically aware Koreans know very well what role foreign diplomatic delegations have played in interference in their sovereign matters, whether by coercion or providing financial inducements to heads of state, like the dictator, Park Chung Hee. Ambassador Harris has a "chin il," pro-Japanese bias, as most Americans do, the legacy of the cold war. Perhaps he has a sensitivity to these issues as someone of Asian-American heritage, with a substantial resume in Japan, perhaps not. Clearly, Japan, is not the only power to have coerced South Korea, although it is also doing it again now. However, the admiral cum ambassador's public demand for increasing the South Korean contribution to defense sharing by a factor of five was a blunder of high order. One cannot help but wonder how he conceives his role as ambassador to repeat such a ridiculous demand. Is he just "following orders" as the saying goes? One would expect an ambassador rather than acting merely as an advocate for the president's unreasonable demand in these negotiations to attempt to mitigate the impact by advising the white house and the diplomatic team preparing to negotiate in Hawaii, that they are way out of line. Donald Trump needs more than a yes man in the ambassador's residence.

The presence of large right wing crowds, led by the Liberty Korea Party, near Gwanghwamun plaza, the Gyeongbokgung palace, and the US embassy building, many waving US flags doesn't help any. The net effect is to undermine the current democratic South Korean administration at home while it is negotiating the five year Special Measures Agreement. The coincidence doesn't really escape notice. The embassy's location can't be changed soon enough.