[KS] Re: Su Gi (flag)

Michael Choi michael_choi15 at hotmail.com
Thu Jun 29 02:12:36 EDT 2000


Media exposure to this issue would expedite the return of the flag. Perhaps 
a peaceful demonstration at Capitol Hill could be organized to show the 
solidarity of support with regards to this issue? I think that Congress 
would be more inclined to act if they were public awareness alongwith 
support with regards to this issue.

Sincerely,
Michael Choi


>From: "Eugene Y. Park" <eugene.park at yale.edu>
>Reply-To: korean-studies at mailbase.ac.uk
>To: korean-studies at mailbase.ac.uk
>Subject: Re: Su Gi (flag)
>Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 16:48:05 -0400 (EDT)
>
>
>Dear All,
>
>Seems like having three separate petitions is an excellent idea.  As soon
>as they are ready after further improvements and polishing, I shall play
>my part in signing and circulating them.
>
>I also wonder if we could somehow get a major network's evening news to
>give a special report on the issue.  The history and humand drama involved
>(Koreans and Americans labeling each other "barbarians" in 1871, Lt.
>McKee's great-great-nephew and Gen. O^'s great-grand-son shaking hands in
>2000, etc.) may have an appeal to the network.  Media publicity such as
>this could only help the cause.
>
>Just a thought.
>
>Gene Park
>
>
>On Tue, 27 Jun 2000, Thomas Duvernay wrote:
>
> > 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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