US ambassador meets the South Korean opposition

Video of Lee Jae-myung opposition leader meeting with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg. (2024.09.26 오전) Goldberg and Lee use interpreters so the whole video is understandable in English.

I recall Democratic Party Leader Lee's meeting with the Chinese ambassador some time ago, it seemed so much friendlier. Goldberg looks stiff, forced smiles, folded arms, etc. I'm sure the leader of the Democratic Party, the majority party in the National Assembly, was the last person he wanted to meet, he was probably directed to do it. "Human rights, rule of law, wherever they are under threat." How can Goldberg keep a straight face saying that? The comment at the end by Lee is a dig at the US apparent lack of interest in the extraordinarily tense relations with North Korea. The threat of "accidental" conflict breaking out along the DMZ caused Lee to request "...your deeper interest in these issues." Other than mentioning the potential for nuclear proliferation to South Korea and/or Japan prompted by the North Korean threat, Lee said zero about Japan, China, Taiwan, Indo-Pacific etc. This is by design. I wonder what may have happened during the closed meeting after the short formal public meeting.

“반민주, 반민생, 반평화, 친일 역사 쿠데타 윤석열 정권을 이대로 두고 보고만 있을 수 없다”@newsvop https://t.co/BPjKda8JZH

— 민중의소리 (@newsvop) September 28, 2024

From the large anti-Yoon demonstration in Seoul today. The tweet comment, "Anti-democratic, anti welfare of the people, anti-peace, historic pro-Japan, coup d'etat Yoon government; there is no way to sit and just let this go."


Hanging by a Thread: US-led War Drills in the Korean Peninsula and the Threat of Global Nuclear War

According to Simone Chun's recent essay in Counterpunch, the provocation of North Korea is deliberate, and part of the US anti-China strategy. I listened to some other activist leaders in an OhMyNews talk show who are seeing parallels developing to events during the latter part of the Park administration. They think an editorial take lately in the Chosun Ilbo, reflects increasing conservative frustration with Yoon, who is not a politician by nature, but is solely focused on advancing his personal interests and protecting his wife and her supporters from justice. He has of course, adopted an authoritarian manner of doing things, is uncompromising and neglecting state affairs other than the anti North Korea, US pro Japan, Indo-Pacific outlook directed against China. This was their analysis of Chosun Ilbo's editorial, they didn't give a specific reference that I could look at myself. I have seen at least one recently that suggested Yoon was too detached from public sentiment and would present challenges in future elections for conservatives if he didn't change.

오늘 [윤석열 탄핵] 집회에 참여해 주신
애국시민들께 깊히 감사드리며 응원합니다!
pic.twitter.com/8z3L6Ivy9h

— 쟝고 (@shsh7600) September 28, 2024

Although there were some impeach Yoon placards in this large demonstration, the theme of the organized labor and civic groups was, "Yoon step down!"

Simone collected a few photos over on her twitter thread of the large Yoon resign demo in Seoul today. Candlelight leadership was there, but most of bodies were from organized labor groups and civil society. Demonstrations took place in multiple South Korean cities from what I understand. I saw banners from the progressive party and justice party as well. There was a serial confrontation with police that seemed to me to have been instigated by someone lighting smoke bombs or some kind of flares in the crowd near the end of the demonstration. The senior police officers and parade staff managed the hotheads well and the trouble subsided. I'd like to see the size of this demonstration double. That will signal the end for Yoon and company.


Ambassador Goldberg prior meeting a week earlier with PPP Leader Han Dong-hun. Notice the difference?




Anyone who thinks Han Dong-hun takes constitutional principles or rule of law seriously is suffering from delusions. Notice the difference between this meeting and Goldberg's later meeting with Lee Jae-myung (above), the opposition leader who has been prosecuted repeatedly by Yoon and this man for years. Han and Goldberg "shared many conversations" when Han was minister of justice? Why? Why does that not surprise me? Why did the translator change Han's admission to "well actually we met once before" in English? She didn't translate what he actually said. Assembly Member In Yo-han PPP aka John Linton, the "white" Korean missionary/doctor was Goldberg's physician? In a longer video near the end, Han jokes in English, that "he didn't know" In Yo-han/John Linton could speak English. At the outset, Han also joked about Goldberg being a Red Sox fan, implying that they have a difference of opinion on this. So they are all buddies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1kPJ524L4k (the longer video)

The banner on the wall says "Reduce the differences, widen the opportunities." Surprised they didn't adopt the "lock step, no daylight" slogan. Goldberg emphasizes the long friendship and shared values. Most of the US- South Korea relationship, up to 1987, was basically the US supporting oppressive dictatorships. Yoon's is now up to 24 vetoes* of legislation. Democracy? Rule of law? Justice? LOL.

The Yoon/Han clique of corrupt prosecutors, abusing their powers giving the ROK the name "dictatorship of prosecutors," just requested that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung receive 4 years in prison on a conviction obtained with fabricated evidence. To counter the appearance of tens of thousands of demonstrators against Yoon, over the weekend, Yoon will bring out 5000 plus troops for the Armed Forces Day parade at the cost of millions of dollars giving his administration the authoritarian aura that suits it so well. Ironically this will occur on the same day as China's National Foundation Day celebration.


Note: after I wrote the first part of this post, I came across this Hankyoreh editorial, cited below, which said in part:

For Korea’s Yoon, October may prove the cruelest month

Civic movements also hint of ominous times for Yoon. National Emergency Council for State Affairs, an organization founded by veteran civic leaders and activists, announced its demands for Yoon’s impeachment or resignation on Sept. 20. A national coalition of civic groups demanding Yoon’s resignation will simultaneously hold rallies in major cities nationwide on Saturday, at 3 pm. Things are reminiscent of the writing on the wall in October 2016.

Let’s wrap this up. Will Yoon survive October, the most politically brutal month he’s ever faced? What does he need to do to survive?

Conservative papers are calling for “acute introspection” (Chosun Ilbo) and “an overhaul in policy and administration” (Joongang Ilbo). Is this possible? It will be difficult. That’s not his style.

As many of his critics in the opposition have pointed out, Yoon is incapable of changing his authoritarian approach.


*Note. October 1 correction of typographical error, it's 24 vetoes for Yoon, not 42 as previously erroneously stated. That number will increase soon enough. Apologies to the one reader who saw this post before I fixed it.