[KS] 1871 [was Jong-Il Personality Cult]

[Thomas Duvernay]

Actually, Gari, there were only five ships involved in the 1871 action (Shinmiyangyo): "Colorado", "Alaska", "Benicia", "Palos", and "Monocacy".  

While we're on the subject, though, I find one point about the "Pueblo" controversy ironic.  First, let me say that I support its eventual return to the United States, and that Senate Resolution 29, calling for the return of the ship, is understandable.  With a little re-work, SR 29 could equally call for another stolen item's return.

In 1871, the United States entered Korean territorial waters, without invitation, and with dubious intent.  Subsequently, a lopsided battle broke out between the forces of the two countries, with Korea suffering about 350 losses, as opposed to the United States' three KIA.  At the height of the main battle, on June 11, the flag of the Korean commander, General Uh Je-yeon, was captured, and has ever since been in United States' possession.  It currently resides at the United States Naval Academy Museum, rolled up on the bottom shelf of a display cabinet (I visited it, for the second time, this past summer).  While the U.S. capture of the flag probably saved it from destruction over the years, it really needs to be returned to Korea, where it is considered a national treasure.

Then: http://www.shinmiyangyo.org/kwg46.jpg 

Now: http://www.shinmiyangyo.org/usnasugi.jpg 

Thomas Duvernay
http://www.shinmiyangyo.org 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gari Keith Ledyard" <gkl1 at columbia.edu>
To: "Korean Studies Discussion List" <Koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 11:58 AM
Subject: Re: [KS] Jong-il Personality Cult


While we're on the Pueblo, a bit of historical trivia with a
Korean twist might be diverting.  The "Pueblo" that was seized was the
third U.S. naval ship to bear that name.  The first "Pueblo" came into
being when "Pueblo" was chosen to be the name of the former "Colorado," an
undistinguished, small cruiser, in 1916; the Navy wanted the name
"Colorado" for a bigger and more important ship, so renamed the cruiser
for the third-rank Colorado town Pueblo.  But this "Pueblo" was just the
second U.S. warship to bear that name.  The first "Colorado" was the flag
ship of the seven-ship fleet whose Marines invaded Kanghwa Island in 1871.
Koreans, being a people who appreciate genealogy, might chuckle at the
long-term revenge exacted in 1968 for the doings of 1871.

Gari Ledyard