They were largely condemned for their blind militarism by the Talmud and according to Josephus, was said to have engaged in a “reign of terror” by killing Jewish collaborators to Rome.

Whether Kim Ku was a “terrorist” or not, I do not know nor really care. I’m probably one of those overseas gyopo who do not sufficiently understand modern Korean history, as the Joongang Ilbo noted.

But I think what is clear is this academic’s intentions. Creating controversy is certainly one way to generate publicity and make a name for oneself in the academic world. Maybe he fancies himself the foreign maverick who’s out to stir up some shit in the insular Korean academic world and spark debate.

If a Korean academic were to laud Bin Laden as an honorable freedom fighter in an American venue, as suggested by your reverse analogy, I’d think he’d simply be dismissed as a crackpot idiot and someone to be largely ignored or avoided. That’s what the Korean needs to do with these crackpots instead of focusing more attention on it, which is what the crackpot wants.

I totally disagree. I cannot see a foreign (meaning non-American) professor being able to avoid a storm of controversy if he taught that bid Laden was a freedom fighter (even 60 years from now) or that Lincoln was a military dictator who trounced on the rights of southern Americans.

“The comparison doesn’t hold because foreign professors are not at all rare in the US.”

???? What’s your point? If a professor is accredited and speaks English, among basic qualifications, he can be a professor in the US. Likewise, if a professor is accredited and speaks and writes Korean, among basic qualification, he can be a professor in Korea. But then there is standard of living, salaries, and other benefits among the various factors to consider before a professor from, say Poland, makes a move to Korea versus the US to teach at a university.

60 years after Bin Laden’s death, quite possibly yes. On Lincoln, no doubt yes. The comparison doesn’t hold because foreign professors are not at all rare in the US.

This kerfuffle, telling as it is, did not belong in the national press.

“I might not like someone disparaging Lincoln, but I wouldn’t get the newspaper involved! Academia is great because it allows for different viewpoints, and provides a venue for debate on their validity. Not liking someone’s viewpoint is only basis for repatriation in the minds of ultra-nationalist bigots.”

What’s in the national news is anything that hits a sensitive spot with the nation’s public. I could see it making the news in America if some professor from Korea or Pakistan or wherever, teaching at some top American school, that Osama bin Laden was a freedom fighter or that George Washington was a terrorist…or that Lincoln was a cruel military dictator who crushed the rights of southern Americans. You say academia is great because it allows for different viewpoints….but do you REALLY think it would be acceptable for a foreign professor in America to teach about Osama bin Laden, freedom fighter??? or Lincoln, military dictator??? Get real.