Anyone in Incheon on Sunday may wish to check out the potential clash between rat commie bastards “progressive” civic groups calling for the removal of the bronze statue of General Douglas MacArthur from Freedom Park and geriatric conservative groups who are ready to fight for the general. Should be fun for the whole family, regardless of ideological persuasion.
The Dongnip Shinmun, of course, is all over this from the right-wing perspective, while OhMyNews ran an interview with the head of one of the civic groups calling for the removal of the statue — read at your own risk. The latter media company ran an interview with some other anti-statue activists late last month.
I posted on the “controversy” over the statue last year.
15 Comments
Well, this just takes the cake.
At least you guys have a statue of MacArthur to argue about. Oddly, all my suggestions to erect one here in Hiroshima seem to fall on deaf ears.
r.elgin
those koreas are not the only one. in japan, many “citizen group”or2activists” condemn gen.macarthur for not allowing prosecution of emperor hirohito as class a war criminal.
Though I’m not a military man or a great supporter of Americana, Douglass MacArthur was one of the greatest generals of the 20th Century, despite his imperfections. He did enable South Korea to have a better life than they would have if they had come under the oppression that was Kim Il Sung reign. He also was awarded the “Korean Grand Cross of the Order of Military Valour and Merit” which none of these “statue-activists” will ever receive. He has such a statue because of his services to Korea and its citizens, not because Korea is an “American colony”.
It is sad how these “activists” defame Korea and distort the truth though ignorance and lies.
Mae, Emperor Hirohito has nothing to do with the ignorance and lies perpetuated by such Korean “activists” in Korea. What you are mentioning was also a political decision that was apparently made by General MacArthur so that Japan might be more easily governed. MacArthur also “encouraged the creation of democratic institutions, religious freedom, civil liberties, land reform, emancipation of women and the formation of trade unions.” See link.
I like how you depict this as “Progressives” vs. “Geriatric conservatives.” More like Thankless Ass-wipes vs. Survivors.
r.elgin
my post was somehow confusing. i fully agree with your opinion.
my point is there are many “ignorant” japanese “activists” in japan, not knowing the achievement gen.macarthur did for japan.
I like how you depict this as ?Progressives?? vs. ?Geriatric conservatives.?? More like Thankless Ass-wipes vs. Survivors.
I don’t label them “progressives.” That is simply the Korean term used. And the conservative groups doing the protesting are geriatric, as are reportedly the bulk of the “progressives” (although I’m sure their number was augmented by the younger Hanchongnyon/reunificationista crowd). Heck, the Incheon police prepositioned ambulances at the sight just in case some of the protestors got a little excited but forgot their pills at home.
They are expecting all of 100 protesters, or what I call wackos. Wow, big number. For some reason I think Gen.McArthur needn’t worry.
Leave “rat commie bastards” comment as is. That fits these floozies just right.
Their leaders gets money(literally) from KJI. Now you know how the money SKs have been giving is spent.
there are many ?ignorant?? japanese ?activists?? in japan
Those are lefties.
Japanese lefties are usually pro-Koreans.
I was in Korea in 76 - believe it or not that statue was not in Inchon back then. It was in that big intersection between Yongson and Itaewon. Move it back there, or take it down to Pyongtaek. Hey, how about putting in in front of the NCO club at Camp Humphrey?
As far as “progressives” go, has anyone ever seen any newspaper editorials as to why there is such a difference between how the word is used in Korea and how it is used in the rest of the world? Nationalistic chest beating hardly counts as “progressive” or “leftist” in most places.
In their socio-economic policies, they have a very strong leftist bent. The anti-USFK stuff is not the only thing they got from the Kim Ilsung playbook: many are anti-rich, pro-wealth distribution, etc.
The nationalism comes from both sides, so it is not really a factor in the label: the right says we should work hard and carry the day for a stronger nation, the left says that we should take back from the rich all the things they “stole” from the masses through the military governments and Japanese occupation so that we can better the nation.
Anyway, I hate calling them “progressives” because many of their actions are not toward progress but for undermining it. They are far-left radicals.
I would love to see the statue moved back to where it belongs, Iteawon. better yet, Hooker Hill, that is where most G.I.’s go to “Arrive”.