[KS] Re: Su Gi (flag)

[Thomas Duvernay]

I have further tweaked the draft petition.  I propose we make three
petitions; one for US citizens, one for Korean scholars and another for all
other interested parties.  We would only need to make a slight change; i.e.
'the undersigned' (all others), 'the undersigned scholars in Korean studies'
and 'the undersigned United States citizens'.  If a person fell into more
than one group, they should sign all that apply (they are, indeed separate
petitions).  Below is my proposed text:


We, the undersigned, request that the United States government return, to
the Republic of Korea [hereinafter, referred to as 'Korea'] the flag of
General Uh Je-yeon [commander of Korean forces on Kanghwa Island in 1871]
that was captured by US forces in 1871 and now resides in the United States
Naval Academy Museum. See: http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/kwg46.jpg  and
http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/usnasugi.jpg for pictures.

Korea, the country where the flag originated, has, for the past
half-century, been a good friend of the United States.  The flag, to the
United States, is only a piece of old cloth from a battle that is all but
unknown to the people of the United States; to the people of Korea, it is a
national treasure.  Currently, it is rolled up on a bottom shelf at the USNA
's museum, where it receives little attention; in Korea, it would reside in
a place of honor at the Korea Military Academy's museum.

We understand the technical points involved, such as it can only be released
back to Korea by an Act of Congress and that the US is reluctant to do such
a thing, as other countries would ask for their items back, too. We believe
both points can be worked around.  First, a bill can be introduced and
passed to repatriate the flag.  Second, the flag does not necessarily need
to be unconditionally returned; it could be 'loaned' to Korea on a
'permanent basis'.  In this way, it would still, technically, belong to the
United States, but would reside in Korea.

We all must remember that the way in which the flag was captured would be,
by today's standards, unacceptable. The United States ships entering the
Kanghwa Strait, only some 25 miles from the Korean capital of Seoul, is
comparable to a fleet of foreign warships sailing into the Chesapeake Bay;
the United States, no doubt, would have opposed such an action.  While it is
true that United States sailors and Marines risked (and some lost) their
lives to capture the flag, Koreans risked (and many lost) their lives to
keep it.  In no way would the return of the flag diminish the bravery and
honor in battle that United States sailors and Marines showed, as did their
Korean counterparts; in fact, it would be a great diplomatic gesture from
one friend to another and would, thus, honor all their memories.

Please help heal a wound that is over 129 years old.


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