I’ve bitched quite a bit about the tendency of the Korean press to condemn the U.S. in general and USFK in particular for doing things Koreans in general and the R.O.K. military in particular do quite regularly. The Hani, however, does show the occasional flashes of fairness. Take one of today’s editorials, for example:
The fort site at Mount Acha is considered the most important Goguryeo ruins in South Korea, but the preservation project is running into problems because of the Ministry of National Defense’s (MND) lack of cooperation. Mount Acha and other fortification remains along the Han River are living proof that Goguryeo not only held territory in areas that are now Chinese, such as Manchuria, but also deep into the Korean peninsula, in addition to the fact that it is a central current in Korean history. “Fortification number 4,” at Mount Acha is the only one of the 15 in the area which has been the subject of an excavation, and has revealed a building site, ondol, earthenware, and ironware. In other words, it will be very effective documentation in confronting the “Northeast Progress.” The private Goguryeo History & Culture Foundation, established shortly before the government’s Goguryeo Research Foundation, is pursuing the construction of a history museum and “history park” in the area. The government of Seoul is moving to have the ruins designated a historical landmark and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At sites number 1 (Mount Mangu), 4 (Mount Acha), and 5 (Mount Yongma), there are military helicopter landing pads, and the MND is unwilling to move them at the request of the city.
The editorial goes on to say that while the MoD’s concerns about national security, defending the nation’s history was important, too. OK, the tone of the editorial is a lot gentler than what it would be if it were, say, American helicopter pads on the tops of those hills. But still, at least they brought the issue up (and it’s an interesting issue, too).
8 Comments
Isn’t that special!?!
We wholeheartedly agree with the MND’s claim that while preserving and maintaining cultural properties is important, “so is defending the country.” Preserving cultural heritage can’t mean giving up on national defense.
The Hankyoreh, stepping out on a limb.
Desperate to extol the Hani to score cred with the PC, are we?
Okay, now how are ruins on the Han River “living proof” of Koguryo rule over Manchuria?
“Living,” as in proof that you can touch and ain’t just on paper, I think.
It’s always special to see the Hani given credit for something, but I guess it’s worth noting that Hani is generally very critical of the military. You’d guess as much, I suppose, but especially critical of the army and feeling a little warmer towards air force & navy.
Desperate to extol the Hani to score cred with the PC, are we?
No. But it’s not often that the Hani gives one reason for praise. It’s kinda like a solar eclipse — you don’t want to miss it, even if it’s only a partial one.
Agreeing with the Ministry of Defense that defending the country is important … is worthy of praise?
How low can the praise-generation bar go?
I suppose you made Peter’s day, at least.
How low can the praise-generation bar go?
In the Hani’s case, pretty damn low. BTW, I’m not praising them for agreeing with the MoD that national defense in important. I’m praising them for raising an issue with their own military that often seems reserved for USFK or the U.S. embassy. One of the things that ticks me off the most about issues like, for example, the U.S. embassy move, USFK environment issues and — worse of all — sound pollution near U.S. bases is that the issues often seem more about the U.S. than they are the issues themselves. How many times have you seen the media bitch about the ROKAF because their F-16 bases in Haemi and Chungju are noisy? Personally, I don’t know enough about the helicopter pads cited in the Hani piece to agree or disagree with the Hani’s assertion that they should be moved. What I praised them for was holding their own military to something approximating the standards they’ve set for the USFK.
I suppose you made Peter’s day, at least.
Don’t know ’bout that. Guess I’ll have to ask him.
RE: “How many times have you seen the media bitch about the ROKAF because their F-16 bases in Haemi and Chungju are noisy? ”
One in a (long) while. Should take notes next time.
Don’t think praise for the Hani could be considered PC, at least not in the English speaking community.
I see. My bad.
BTW, being anti-establishment is almost invariably being PC. The Hankyoreh purports to be the anti-establishment paper (Chosun is pro), so praising the Hankyoreh is being PC, no matter who’s doing the praisin’. As PC as having a Che patch on your backpack.
That’s why anti-Americanism is the default PC stance - because America is the ultimate figure of “the establishment.” And Bush is the ultimate personification of it, so hating Bush is the highest expression of PC.
I’m not above being PC when the circumstances call for it. To wit, PC-posturing will usually bag you more chicks. Especially Canadians. Lambaste Bush and you’ll be basting it pronto.
Ugh.