[KS] South Korea's Rollback of Democratic Rights

[Michael Braverman-Scult]

Dear all,

This is a fascinating topic and I would like to thank Proffessor Katsiaficas
for starting the discussion.

I believe that the police crackdowns last weekend were the latest chapter in
Lee Myung-bak fulfilling his promise of zero tolerance for illegal
demonstrations and to crackdown on protesters, demonstrations, and descent
in general.  The recent arrests of the MBC producer and chairman of the YTN
union, as well as the conviction of the organizers of the online boycott
against business placing advertisements in the Chosun Ilbo, Joongang Ilbo,
and Dong-A Ilbo attest to the current administration's disregard for certain
democratic rights and freedoms.

In relation to Scott's comments on the violent actions of "*these same
individuals* attacking "violent crackdowns" by the police" who exactly are
we talking about?  The Human Rights Network of Korea?The Korea Progressive
Alliance? The Korean
Confederation of Trade Unions? The high school and college students? There
was a myriad of groups and organizations involved in the activities over the
weekend representing a wide array of issues.  I think it is inaccurate to
lump the whole of Korean civil society into "theys" and "folks" who "lie and
distort in the interest of promoting their own agenda."  Were there fringe
groups of protesters who engaged in violent activity?  Possibly. However,
also having been there, I can say that I witnessed only peaceful
gatherings.  I would further say that most protests in Seoul are conducted
peacefully and within the confines of the of the rule of law.  The point of
many of these protests is to influence or gain access to the political
process and those involved know that violent conduct is not a productive
means.  Too often the focus is put on the actions of a small group of
provocateurs, while ignoring the issues and concerns of the thousands of
peaceful protesters involved.

I think most pressing concern with this issue is the threat to the
fundamental freedoms of speech and assembly that these "crackdowns" entail.
In terms of violence, I am sure there are those few who are guilty on both
sides.

Michael Braverman-Scult
M.A. Candidate in International Affairs
Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies





On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 12:17 AM, Matthias MAASS <mm at mmaass.net> wrote:

> Dear Prof. Katsiaficas,
>
> You make a good point, asking for proof from Mr. Burgeson., and I second
> that. However, in order to avoid double-standards, I's suggest you might
> also provide the list with more 'meat' than an arguably one-side
> news-clipping. For what's it worth, I find it a bit one-side to align
> yourself with one side (by posting the news item without further comment)
> and then shoot down the counter-argument by setting higher standards.
>
> We might want to keep the discussion, I'd suggest, on the 'journalistic
> level,' for all, or limit it to a discussion that requires scientific
> methodology.
>
> I, for one, can live with different opinions quite well, and would welcome
> an open discussion where people can present their reasonable viewpoints
> without prior extended trips to the library.
>
> Aloha,
> Maass (Mr.)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: koreanstudies-bounces at koreaweb.ws
> [mailto:koreanstudies-bounces at koreaweb.ws] On Behalf Of george katsiaficas
> Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 2:57 PM
> To: jsburgeson at yahoo.com, Korean Studies Discussion List; J.Scott Burgeson
> Subject: Re: [KS] South Korea's Rollback of Democratic Rights
>
> Dear all,
>
> Scott calls for "further research and investigation before drawing any
> final
> conclusions" about individuals holding a press conference being arrested en
> masse.
>
> I am all for further research and in that spirit, I would like to know the
> factual basis for Scott's assertion that "these same individuals attacking
> "violent crackdowns" by the police and calling for a "guarantee (of) the
> freedom to assemble and demonstrate" had physically hijacked the stage of
> the Hi Seoul Festival at City Hall on the previous Saturday night."
>
> Evidently Scott has some inside information that can name specific
> individuals who held the press conference(s) and were arrested being the
> same individuals present a week before at a different location.
>
> Scott, please provide us with the names and/or other research you've done
> to
> draw your conclusion.
>
> Thanks,
> george katsiaficas
>
>
> > From: "J.Scott Burgeson" <jsburgeson at yahoo.com>
> > Reply-To: <jsburgeson at yahoo.com>, Korean Studies Discussion List
> > <koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws>
> > Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 21:25:53 -0700 (PDT)
> > To: Korean Studies Discussion List <koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws>
> > Subject: Re: [KS] South Korea's Rollback of Democratic Rights
> >
> > I suggest further research and investigation before drawing any final
> > conclusions.
>
>
>
>
>
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