Korea Report

Korean Peace Activist Denied Entry into the U.S.

2013-05-07T12:09:00.001-04:00

Oh Jong-Ryol (photo above), who is the leader of the delegation from a South Korean peace coalition, Citizen's Solidarity for Antiwar Peace Movement, was en route to the U.S. on a public speaking tour. On April 30 at the Tokyo airport while he was changing planes to go to the U.S., he was approached by a staff of the U.S. Embassy in Japan who informed him that he is being denied entry into the U.S. and Mr. Oh had to return to South Korea.

Mr. Oh and three others were planning to travel to the U.S. on a speaking tour to share their messages for a peaceful resolution of the current crisis in the Korean Peninsula. Mr. Oh had visited the U.S. several times before without any incidents or denial of entry. Mr. Oh is a veteran elder activist who has promoted peace and justice in nonviolent ways. There is no reason to deny his visit to the U.S., where public events were planned in New York City, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with Korean-American and American organizations.

There is no valid reason why Mr. Oh was denied entry into the U.S. this time. Most likely, the South Korean authorities tipped the U.S. authorities about the activists' plans in the U.S., which coincided with the visit by President Park Geun-hye. This kind of maneuvering by South Korean government is like reverting to the authoritarian days of Park's father, dictator Park Chung Hee, when political opponents and activists were blacklisted and denied freedom of speech and movement, and contradicts President Park's promise of openness in governance. This regretable, arbitrary and unjust measure and complicity by the U.S. Government is a violation of Mr. Oh's human rights and affront to democratic ideals and processes.

AFSC Statement in Response to the Recent Crisis in the Korean Peninsula

2013-04-05T15:08:00.004-04:00

U.S. flies nuclear capable B2 Stealth bombers in practice bombing run over South Korea.

Statement in Response to U.S. Simulated Nuclear Attacks on North Korea

and Cyber Attacks in North and South Korea
American Friends Service Committee (April 2, 2013)

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has long opposed military actions on the Korean peninsula that serve to deepen and prolong a conflict that has persisted since the Korean War. This month another round of military actions and escalations by all parties are now underway in the region, including repeated simulated U.S. nuclear attacks against North Korea by B-2 and B-52 bombers in the midst of ongoing U.S.-South Korean war games. We call once again for an end to such provocative actions and a concerted effort to de-escalate and resolve the longstanding regional conflict that has taken a deep, generations-long toll on the region.

Such simulations and the history of U.S. nuclear threats during past Korean crises contributed to the development of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and its recent nuclear test, threatening to ignite a regional nuclear arms race. Military threats made routinely by North and South Korea as well as recent and possibly related cyber-attacks against North Korean media outlets and against South Korean broadcasters and banks further escalate the conflict.

Provocations of this sort - routine or otherwise - can too easily lead to miscalculations, and generate fears and passions that make it difficult for political leaders to respond with necessary caution. We are sobered by the memory of how such miscalculations have triggered cataclysmic wars in the past and even brought nuclear powers to the brink of all-out war.

The escalation of tensions and confrontations needs to be halted:

AFSC urges all parties to step back from further provocations.
AFSC further calls for the suspension of war games and military exercises on all sides. In particular, the U.S. should halt its provocative simulated nuclear attacks which are more likely to reinforce the DPRK's commitment to its incipient nuclear arsenal, rather than to open a constructive dialogue.

To set relations on a better course:

AFSC urges renewed diplomatic engagement and negotiations between the North and South Korean Governments.
Echoing the views of former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Donald Gregg, AFSC reminds the U.S. government that sanctions and military threats will not succeed in ending decades of militarized tensions. The Obama Administration should reach out to North Korea with the goal of negotiating a peace agreement to finally end the Korean War.

Koreans in the U.S. Send Open Letter to Pres. Obama on the Crisis in Korean Peninsula

2013-03-10T20:24:00.000-04:00

Open Letter to President Barack Obama on the Urgent Situation in the Korean Peninsula

March 10, 2013

Dear President Obama,

At this moment, the Korean Peninsula is facing the most serious danger of possible outbreak of war since the Korean War. It is not an exaggeration that the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2094 (tighter sanctions against North Korea following North Korea’s third nuclear weapon testing) has brought the matters to hair trigger situation. North Korea, in response, has announced the renouncement of nonaggression agreements between the two sides of Korea and the cessation of the hot line between the two governments.

Moreover, North Korea has already declared its abandonment of the Korean War Armistice Agreement starting on March 11, to coincide with the start of the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. All these ominous developments are leading the Korean Peninsula closer to war.

Through these years, we have seen that sanctions and pressures against North Korea are not realistic approaches towards peaceful resolution; rather they have brought more tension and crisis. All nations -- the U.S., North Korea, South Korea, and the U.N. Security Council member nations – will surely want a peaceful resolution and not resort to another war. Indeed, a peaceful resolution is the only viable road for peace and security in the peninsula and the region.

We respectfully ask the following:

First, initiate dialogue with North Korea on the road to peaceful resolution, culminating in theformulation of peace treaty. The replacement of the Korean War armistice agreement with a peace treaty is the only way to move away from the current crisis. You have pursued a policy of strategic patience towards North Korea through these years, but this path has not succeeded. Under current armistice mechanism, this kind of crisis will repeat itself constantly. The only way is to convert temporary armistice to real and lasting peace, guaranteed by a peace treaty.

Second, we ask the repeal of the Resolution No. 2094 as it is a catalyst of bringing the Korean Peninsula closer to war.

Third, we ask the end of Key Resolve/Foal Eagle military exercises. As the cessation of the Team Spirits exercises in 1992 brought about the start of dialog between Washington and Pyongyang, dialog can restart with the end of Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercises.

Concerned Korean Americans, Koreans in the U.S., and Americans:
Organizations:
June 15 Joint Committee for One Korea – U.S. Committee
Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
Congress for Korean Reunification
Korean American Women of Peace
Korea Policy Institute
Korea Project/Center for Process Studies, Claremont Lincoln University, Claremont, CA
Korean Quarterly
National Association of Korean Americans
National Campaign to End the Korean War
National Committee for Peace in Korea
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, NY
Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification in U.S.A
Korean American National Coordinating Council
Korean American Support Committee for UPP
SASASE in US (LA, DC, Phila., NY, San Jose, Seattle, Chicago)
and concerned individuals...

Park Geun-hye Becomes South Korea's President

2013-03-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

Park Geun-hye, the eldest daughter of the late dictator Park Chung-hee (18 years of iron-fisted, repressive rule), has assumed the presidency of South Korea. She has returned to the Blue House (South Korea's presidential residence/office) after 34 years, having served as the First Lady after her mother was assassinated.

South Korea has changed drastically since her last stay in the Blue House, as hard-earned democratization took a firm hold on the Korean society and politics, with a 5-year, single-term presidency in place. She has been elected in a free election, thanks to the conservative base, with a promise to rejuvenate the economy and implement some welfare programs, despite her being the most conservative candiate of the presidency. She has also promised to pursue a different approach to North Korea than the confrontational approach of her predecessor Lee Myung-bak -- this will be tested in coming days as tensions mount with North Korea.

Much are expected from her presidency, as she needs to shed the legacy of her father's authoritarian rule in order to avoid the label "daughter of dictator" and pursue receptive policies that will bring together the fragmented and politically polarized South Korean populace.

Dennis Rodman in Pyongyang

2013-02-28T16:23:00.002-05:00

Who would have thought -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un laughing side-by-side with Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls fame, at a friendly basketball match in Pyongyang. Rodman is travelling in North Korea with members of the Harlem Globetrotters and a US cable news team. And one of the first tweets coming out of North Korea now that North Korean authorities have allowed the use of smartphones by foreigners, with internet access: "Um ... so Kim Jong Un just got the [cable news team] crew wasted ... no really, that happened" came out of the reception given by Kim to American visitors. Fun respites amidst war games and counter threats between the U.S. and North Korea -- sort of reminds of the song by the group War, "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Google's Top Man in Pyongyang

2013-01-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

Of all the unusual and unexpected foreign visitors to North Korea, Google's executive chairman and tech guru Eric Schmidt's visit this week to Pyongyang has raised a plenty of questions. Though this is not portrayed as a Google company trip, the very presence of high-profile Schmidt (and his interest and willingness to personally visit North Korea) highlights the growth and potentials of cyber technology in North Korea.

Schmidt is accompaying veteran diplomat and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, on a humanitarian trip. The trip clearly perturbed the U.S. State Department, which maintains a rigid policy of isolating North Korea as punishments for long-range missile/rocket testings. But there are also benefits to this kind of civilian-initiated diplomacy as wider contacts with North Korea will likely bring new avenues and opportunities of mutual cooperation and a path of understanding towards resolutions of contending political and military issues.

Presidential Election in South Korea

2012-12-18T09:56:00.002-05:00

An important presidential election for South Korea will take place on December 19th. Voters will choose between Moon Jae-in (left), a former human rights lawyer, and Park Geun-hye (right), daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee. The race is very close and is difficult to predict the outcome. The Opposition, often fragmented, but fed up with five years under President Lee Myung-bak's draconian policies and fumblings, is united, for the first time, under a single candidacy of Moon, and is drawing additional support from younger generations. Moon was the chief of staff under former President Roh Moo-hyun and has the credentials of pro-democracy movement.

Park Keun-hae draws her main support from conservative sectors and the Kyungsang Province, whose older citizens have misguided nostalgia for the late dictator Park Chung-hee and his family. Although Park's candidacy is seen as a pioneering effort in that this is the first viable female presidential candidacy for Korea, many question her ties to chaebul conglomerates and the dark past of South Korean authoritarianism. The new president will need to tackle the economy, welfare programs, reviving inter-Korea relations, and relations with Japan, China and the U.S., among others.

"Are Koreans the Irish of Asia? Here’s a Case"

2012-10-16T12:38:00.001-04:00

[Recommended Reading: from The Wall Street Journal/Korea Realtime]

Eamonn McKee, the Irish ambassador to the Koreas, had heard the saying before he came to Seoul in 2009 – that Koreans are the Irish of Asia – but only after getting here did he begin to think it might be true.

“I think it might have been originally coined by an English woman to insult both of us,” Mr. McKee said. “You know, that we’re both emotional and entertaining and unruly and et cetera. We now both wear it as a badge of pride.”

Some people may also see that as a bit of code for a love for beer in both countries and the ease that both Koreans and Irish have finding a reason to drink it.

Mr. McKee is in the news this week because, after more than a year of ground work, a delegation of leaders in the joint government of the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland is in Seoul to share lessons from a peace process that took more than two decades. READ MORE

The Issue of "Comfort Women" (Enforced Sex Slaves) Persists

2012-08-18T10:34:00.000-04:00

Sixty-seven years since Japan was defeated in the World War II, the lingering issues surrounding Japan's wartime crimes persist because Japan is not forthcoming in acknowledging its past actions during the war, known for brutal conquests and barbaric treatment of subjects in occupied territories. The military "comfort women" or enforced sex slaves issue stands out, because, despite the appeals of the aging survivors for Japan's acknowledgement and apology, Japanese authorities continue to downplay the issue by excluding the issue in its textbooks or implying that this was a voluntary prostitution (there were Japanese prostitutes in the system, but those recruited from colonial areas were recruited forceably or tricked into it with promise of factory jobs). Meanwhile, demonstrations in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, as well as in Washington, DC (above photo), continue on.

The issue is pertinent today as there are pockets of sexual assaults in war zones around the world, as well as human trafficking of sex slaves. The Korean "comfort women" survivors have raised this connection of the past and present and have started a fund-raising campaign to aid the present victims of military sex assaults in Africa.

Action for Peace in Korea on the Korean War Armistice Day

2012-07-24T12:40:00.000-04:00

July 27 is the anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice in 1953, supposedly a temporary measure towards signing of permanent peace treaty. Yet, after fifty-nine years, peace treaty has not been signed to officially end the Korean War, keeping the Korean Peninsula in a perpetual semi-war-like state of mutual distrust, military buildup and frequent confrontations.

Though there are many contentious issues that need to be resolved toward permanent peace settlement, one of the first logical steps is the signing of peace treaty. It is also a long overdue action to remove the archaic remnant and last vestige of the Cold War. As one of the signatories of the Korean War Armistice, the U.S. has an obligation to do its part towards this end.

The coming July 27th is also the date of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. On this day that celebrates peace and solidarity of the Olympic spirit, please join friends and concerned citizens in a peace action calling for a lasting peace in Korea, including the conversion of the Korean War Armistice Agreement to peace treaty, as a step towards comprehensive peace settlement in the Korean Peninsula.
(Event info. Sponsors: National Association of Korean Americans, Sasase-Washington/Koreans for Peace)

Former President Roh Moo-hyun's Legacy Lives On

2012-06-01T16:15:00.000-04:00

May 23 was the third anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea. In traditional Korean custom, a third anniversary of death marks the end of mourning period and brings forth a sense of renewal and hope. In this light, those around the world who marked this occasion combined somber ceremonies with merrier cultural festivals. The photo above shows an event in Annandale, (Northern) Virginia. The legacy of Roh Moo-hyun lives on with the spirit and dedication of activists and citizens who have vowed to help create "the world where people live" (sa ram sa neun sae sang) -- a phrase often used by Roh in pursuit of social justice and fairness. To the participants, this year is more significant as the South Korea's presidential election in December will test whether a government in line with Roh's legacy may resurface.

NY Conference on Peace & Cooperation in NE Asia

2012-03-11T18:37:00.001-04:00

The Conference on Peace and Cooperation in Northeast Asia was held during March 7-9, 2012 at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, New York City. This historic event was co-sponsored by: Freidrigh-Ebert-Stiftung, Maxwell School of Syracuse University, National Association of Korean Americans, Center for Peace and Public Integrity at Hanshin University, Pacific Century Institute.

This was a Track II meeting on peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia, with focus on peace and security in the Korean Peninsula, with participants (former and current government ministers and officials, academics, representatives of political parties and civil society organizations) from the six-party talks nations, plus Mongolia and Germany. It concluded with the reaffirmation by all participants for the pursuit of the peace process in the Korean Peninsula that would lead to comprehensive peace and security, and multilateral cooperation in the Northeast Asia region. Notable at this conference was candor in interactions between participants from North Korea and the U.S., inclusion of Mongolia in the regional dialogue, and comparative perspectives of the European security mechanisms and the German reunification experience.

Statement on the US-DPRK Bilateral Talks Results

2012-02-29T13:49:00.000-05:00

A Statement from NAKA

The results from the third exploratory round of U.S.-DPRK bilateral talks in Beijing announced today show a sign of improvement and progress towards a peaceful settlement in the Korean Peninsula, as "to improve the atmosphere for dialogue and demonstrate its commitment to denuclearization, the DPRK has agreed to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear tests and nuclear activities at Yongbyon, including uranium enrichment activities" and the U.S. has "agreed to meet with the DPRK to finalize administrative details necessary to move forward with [the] proposed package of 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance along with the intensive monitoring required for the delivery of such assistance."

Furthermore, we welcome the following points that came out of the discussions:

The United States reaffirms that it does not have hostile intent toward the DPRK and is prepared to take steps to improve bilateral relationship in the spirit of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality.

The United States reaffirms its commitment to the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement.

The United States recognizes the 1953 Armistice Agreement as the cornerstone of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The United States is prepared to take steps to increase people-to-people exchanges, including in the areas of culture, education, and sports.

U.S. sanctions against the DPRK are not targeted against the livelihood of the DPRK people.

The National Association of Korean Americans (NAKA) welcomes this development and urges both parties to implement these measures in earnest, concurrent with other mutual efforts to improve relations and work towards a comprehensive peace settlement in the Korean Peninsula.
February 29, 2012
Washington, DC
The National Association of Korean Americans (NAKA)
www.naka.org

Political Party Realignments in South Korea

2012-02-07T13:36:00.003-05:00

As South Korea prepares for the general election (the National Assembly) in April and the all-important presidential election in December, all political parties across the political spectrum have been busy transforming or merging in order to have bigger impact on the elections. On the ruling, conservative side, the Grand National Party, which has been losing popular support (especially to younger generations) due to unpopular and lame-duck President Lee Myung-bak, has been renamed New World Party (Saenoori Dang) and its platform on North Korea somewhat softened from a rigid, confrontational approach. Its chairperson, Park Geun-hae, the daughter of the late dictator Park Chung Hee, has seen her front-runner approval rating slipping lately vis-a-vis the likely opposition presidential candidates.

On the opposition side, the Democratic Party, which has also been losing support due to its limited support base and lack of generational change, has merged with the Citizens Unity Party and members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions to become the Democratic United Party (Minjoo Tonghap Dang), with former prime minister Han Myeong-sook as its party leader, thus gaining broader appeal and support from the democratic/progressive/reformist and grassroots citizen's groups. The likely presidential candidate from this camp is Moon Jae-in (photo above), the former chief of staff to late President Roh Mu-hyun.

Other progressive parties have merged into United Progressive Party, incorporating the Democratic Labor Party, the People's Participation Party and a faction of the New Progressive Party. However, its proposal to merge with the Democratic United Party did not materialize, thus preventing a fielding of single opposition candidates to the ruling party candidates in the general elections.

Another key figure that may influence the outcome of the presidential election is Ahn Cheol-Soo, an independent figure with no declaration of running for public office but who has garnered immense popular support in polls of favorable presidential candidates.

Another possible dimension impacting this year's elections is the first-time incorporation of absentee ballots from overseas Korean citizens-residents, students and public officials. Despite a large number of possible registrants -- due to difficulties in the registeration process-- the registration level has been low and the process is marred by a possibility of fraud in transporting of ballots and difficulty of monitoring. Indeed, the Korean elections of 2012 will be closely watched -- in Korea and overseas.

Korea Enters 2012

2012-01-02T13:54:00.001-05:00

The Korean Peninsula enters 2012 with both sides of Korea in flux. North Korea, with a recent transition of power, will be celebrating the 100th birthday of its founding leader Kim Il Sung in April. South Korea will be holding crucial elections in 2012 -- parliamentary elections in April and presidential election in December, with opposition forces eyeing for a transfer of power. China, Russia, and the US will be holding presidential elections or transfer of power as well.

With these expected changes and infusion of new players, an opportune moment may come in 2012 for a renewed and refreshed start of the peace process in the Korean Peninsula, with amending of relations between the two sides of Korea and a resolution of security issues. Let's hope for the best in 2012.

[Photo by AP: Sun rises in Pyongyang. With the AP now operating a bureau in Pyongyang, news stories and photos abound.]

North Korea After Kim Jong Il

2011-12-21T15:30:00.001-05:00

Wild speculations and conjectures abound in the international circles in the aftermath of the death of Chairman Kim Jong Il of North Korea, whereas the transition of power to Kim Jong Un seems to be playing out without any incident. During upcoming uncertainties of the situation, all parties concerned should support a development conducive to fostering peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula.
See alternative analyses: Korea Policy Institute article, interview on Democracy Now!

1000th Continuous Wednesday Protest on "Comfort Women" Issue

2011-12-16T11:11:00.001-05:00

Dec. 14, 2011 marked the 1000th "Wednesday Protest" on behalf of the Korean "Comfort Women" victims -- the continuous protest every Wednesday, rain or shine, for the past 19 years in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, Korea. The few surviving and aging victims and their support organization (The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Sexual Slavery by Japan) have been demanding sincere acknowledgement and apology from the Japanese government on this issue, yet no representative of the Japanese embassy has ever come out of its building over these years to acknowledge the protesters.

The silence of the Japanese authorities on this issue will not deter the protesters though, who have vowed to continue on until they pass away, if necessary. As the Japanese and South Korean governments aim to work toward a "future-oriented" relationship, the first task is to acknowledge the past, especially those painful ones that have not been adequately addressed or redressed, like the wartime "comfort women" sexual slavery issue. Solidarity protests occurred worldwide, including in front of the Japanese embassy in Washington, DC.

Photos are scenes from the protest in Seoul, the bottom photo shows former "comfort women" survivors at the "peace memorial" statue that was erected across from the Japanese embassy, with the likeness of young Korean girl who were forced to serve as sex slave for the Japanese military.

Naggomsu -- The Rise of Alternative Media and Political Activism in South Korea

2011-12-10T13:31:00.001-05:00

Naggomsu -- the phenomenal podcast (internet radio) team that is all the rage in South Korea these days -- is on the U.S. tour. (The photo is the event on Dec.8 in Washington, DC at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.) Naggomsu is made up of independent journalist, commentator, producer and a former national legislator. Its programs draws the largest audience in Korea as well as being the top downloaded podcast in iTunes. While it specializes in humorous satire and parody of President Lee Myung-bak and his policies, it relies more on investigative journalism and keen analysis that uncover the ruling government and political party's mis-steps.

This phenomenon is noticeable and extraordinary since the mainstream Korean media has turned conservative due to media consolidations and ownership by pro-government big businesses. The effective and widespread use of alternative media and social media have energized the pro-democracy and opposition movement to a new level. No wonder the South Korean governemnt has announced that it will begin monitoring and potentially censuring expressions aired in the social media.

A Korean-American Becomes U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

2011-11-11T13:17:00.002-05:00

Sung Kim, a "1.5 generation" Korean-American, is the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea (photo showing his family's arrival in Seoul), marking the first time that a Korean-American has taken this post. Kim hadserved as a Korea expert in the State Department. He was also a special envoy to the six-party talks, which now puts him in a good position on the ground in the Korean Peninsula to help foster an atmosphere for possible renewal of the talks aimed at nuclear disarmament and regional security in Northeast Asia.

A Civic Activist Becomes the Mayor of Seoul

2011-10-26T15:44:00.004-04:00

Park Won-soon (second from the right on the photo, with supporters from other opposition party leaders) -- human rights lawyer, pro-democracy activist, and a leader of South Korea's grassroots civil society organizations -- was elected as the next mayor of Seoul.

This election was significant in many ways in that 1) a political novice and independent candidate won a major election, bypassing more well-known candidates from the established parties; 2) the opposition parties fielded a unified candidate (by supporting a non-affiliated candidate) which helped prevent splintering of votes that arose in the past elections with the usual array of many opposition candidates; 3) it is an indicator of the populace's dissatisfaction with the ruling Lee Myung-bak government and its policies that will impact upcoming general and presidential elections in 2012; 4) the younger generations have voted strongly for Park, suggesting that they yearn for change from the established politics and economic inequities and hardships.

With his long experiences in civic activities and citizen watchdog groups, Park will be in a good position to promote genuine and popular reforms based on true fairness and social justice.

Protesters on Lee Myung-bak's State Visit to the U.S.

2011-10-14T15:24:00.004-04:00

While President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea came to Washington with much fanfare for a state visit, opponents of his policies held a rally during the state dinner; the following is the statement from the rally:

----------

We have gathered in front of the White House to voice our anger at the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, whose government has reversed the trend towards democracy, prosperity, peace and social welfare espoused by the two previous administrations of Presidents Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo-hyun -- and instead pursued policies that are ant-democratic, anti-peace, and anti-citizen welfare.

Instead of promoting the advancement of Korea’s national economy and the general welfare of the people, President Lee has pushed for his personal agenda and enrichment of his family members through favors, governmental contracts, and shady, speculative land investments. His government officials have been mired in corruption scandals.

Moreover, the Lee government has reversed the years of hard-earned democratic gains by restricting the freedoms of press, assembly, expression and is criticized from all sides for practicing autocratic and unilateral approach towards governance. No wonder South Korea is back in the headlines of the Amnesty International reports for cases of human rights abuses.

Also, we ask President Obama and President Lee to pursue more sincere and pro-active approach towards ensuring peace and reunification of Korea by pursuing an engagement policy that aims to resolve contending issues peacefully, rather than resorting to arms buildup and arms race in the Northeast Asia region.

We demand:
-- President Lee to apologize to the Korean people for destroying democratic gains and freedom, and to pursue policies aimed at restoring democratic principles and rights;
-- President Lee to apologize for economic wrongdoings, and to pursue policies of fairness, transparency and justice;
-- President Lee to stop the construction of Jeju Island Naval Base, which will only add to the military buildup and arms race in the Northeast Asia region.
-- Presidents Obama and Lee to pursue engagement policies that aim to achieve a peaceful settlement in the Korean Peninsula.

October 13, 2011
Anti-MB Committee/Korean Americans for Peace

New Film Highlights Korea's Divided/Separated Families

2011-10-05T10:02:00.005-04:00

This new documentary film (Divided Families), directed and produced by two Korean-American university students (Jason Ahn, Eugene Chung), screened at the U.S. Senate building on Oct. 4, 2011. It is a moving film that highlights the pains of separated families due to the Korean War and the prolonged division, focusing on separated Korean-American family members in their attempts to reunite with their loved ones in North Korea. The filmmakers are not professional filmmakers, but they made the film in their desire to spread the word around about this critical and not well-known issue. The audience was full of young Korean Americans -- indicating strong interests and activism on this issue from the second-generation Korean Americans. Hopefully, this issue will get more attention and resolution, vis-a-vis a peaceful settlement in the Korean Peninsula.

Playing Frisbee in North Korea

2011-09-15T16:22:00.002-04:00

Frisbee, that quintessential American plaything, spotted in Pyongyang -- with North Koreans playing with foreigners? And amateur golf tournament in North Korea? Are these signs that North Korea is opening up more to the outside world?

Protests Against Japan's Policies Amidst Korea's Liberation Day Celebrations

2011-08-19T10:39:00.004-04:00

In solidarity with former Korean "comfort women" and supporters who have demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on every Wednesday for the past ten years to demand the Japanese government's acknowledgement and apology of its role in the wartime military sex slave system, activists in the Washington, DC area demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy in Washington on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

The following is their statement:

This week, Koreans throughout the globe are commemorating the 66th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day (August 15, 1945) from the Japanese colonialism.

The reason why we have gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy today is to show our grave concerns on the Japanese government’s continuing refusal to acknowledge its wartime crimes such as the “comfort women” (military sex slave system) issue.

Unlike the German government, the Japanese government still refuses to come to terms with the ramifications of its wartime crimes, but instead pursues teachings of revisionist history through school textbooks that whitewash its wartime atrocities inflicted on civilians of Korea, China, and other Asian countries.

Moreover, the Japanese government has recently provoked confrontations with Korea with the Dokdo Island dispute, disregarding Korea’s historic and sovereign claim to the islands. Koreans painfully remember that one of the first steps taken by Japan in colonizing Korea was to incorporate the Dokdo Islands as its own territory, as a strategic stepping stone towards its territorial ambitions in Asia.

We demand that:
1. Japanese government fully acknowledge the wartime military sex slave system and apologize to its surviving victims;
2. Japanese government stop using school textbooks that distort wartime history;
3. Japanese government issue public apology regarding its wartime crimes and set up a compensation fund to surviving victims;
4. Japanese government stop disputing Korea’s sovereignty over the Dokdo Islands.

SaSaSe-Washington (Korean Americans for Peace)
Washington Special Committee on the Dokdo Islands

"There's an app for that" for Korean Reunification

2011-08-15T13:20:00.002-04:00

Imagine Korea without the signs of division such as fences along the DMZ. Now you can -- literally see it with your own eyes -- a smartphone user with this "augmented reality" app can point to certain locations along the DMZ viewing area and "see" the landscape without the man-made barriers that are painful signs of continuing Korean division and inter-Korean acrimony. Hopefully the time will soon come when smartphone users just can snap photos and see the landscape void of the physical remnants of the division.