Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Fears of a violent clash mounted Friday after progressive civic groups wanting a statue of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur in Incheon pulled down and conservative groups determined to protect it to the very end announced simultaneous Sunday demonstrations in the city��s Freedom Park.

One pro-unification civic group told police it will hold a rally in front of the MacArthur statue from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The gathering, which it expects to attract 100 people, will call for the expulsion of the U.S. military and the toppling of the statue.
Chosun Ilbo (July 15, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200507/200507150022.html

Since 2002, Incheon police have been guarding the statue in the city's Freedom Park for fear of vandalism. Anti-U.S. demonstrations took place in the park in 2002 and 2003, according to the police.
Guards for McArthur angers civic groups
JoongAng Daily (December 01, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200411/30/200411302250512509900090409041.html

General Douglas MacArthur, was commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, commander of the Allied Forces during the occupation of Japan, and commander of United Nations (U.N.) forces during the first nine months of the Korean War.
http://korea50.army.mil/history/biographies/macarthur.shtml

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:30 am Post subject:

Douglas MacArthur lobbied to nuke China during the Korean war.

He was convinced that several Chinese cities needed to have nuclear bombs dropped on them, precipitating his own removal from command, after a long and at times distinguished career.

That general wasn't what Korea needed, nor America. His time had passed.

Why should Koreans have a huge public tribute to him now that the pro-U.S. dictators have been removed from office? The Korean public can have their say through democratic means; in other words, it'll be a hot-button political issue that the next right-wing candidate for president won't want to make too much of due to public sentiments at the time being. It'll come down or be moved before the next election, because it serves the political interests of both sides to do so. A prediction.

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Ironic when you consider MacArthur nearly succeded in re-unifying Korea. That is, until the Chinese stepped in and ruined the whole thing.

The Chinese were what Korea didn't need.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:37 am Post subject:

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

Just how wrong can you be, VanIslander?

China Ready to Use Nuclear Arms Against U.S.

We should have tagged the little devils before they stole from us the secret of splitting the atom.

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

To be fair, not many westerners know how it feels to be saved, developed, culturally dominated, and depend for your security on a stronger foreign power.

You don't have to live with a statue of Chairman Mao in New York.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

Gopher · Joined: 04 Jun 2005

Ike threatened Mao with nukes over the Matsu-Quemoy crisis. Mao said something like: go ahead, you'll only kill a few hundred million. (Reported in Ike's memoirs).

If Washington pulled out the troops, South Korea would have serious security issues. There would also be economic fallout.

The South Koreans aren't thinking this through. Not apparently concerned with the consequences. They'd probably be pledging allegiance to Pyongyang by 2006...

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003