News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin
1. Pentagon official expresses condolences over Korean War hero Paik's death
2. Korean War hero Paik laid to rest
3. Seoul dismisses N.Korean endorsement of New top officials
4. Letter to President Moon: Re: fighters for a free North Korea and Keunsaem
5. Korea punishes TikTok for data mishandling
6. Will a waning moon reduce the opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula?
7. Why a 'Grand Bargain' between the West and North Korea is possible
8. The true burden of the unending Korean War
9. Six men caught trying to escape North Korea on Memorial Day for Founder Kim Il Sung
10. It was petty of Moon to ignore Korean War hero's funeral
11. Pompeo downplays possibility of summit with North Korea
12. Trump insiders: Trump wants 'breakthrough' NoKo deal before election
13. Seoul prosecutors open probe into N. Korean leader's sister over liaison office demolition
14. North Korea boosts Mount Kumgang tourism amid COVID-19
15. S. Korea on alert over imported virus cases coming from Iraq
16. Arrivals from 6 countries subject to tougher quarantine (South Korea)
1. Pentagon official expresses condolences over Korean War hero Paik's death
en.yna.co.kr · by 최수향 · July 16, 2020
Very nice statement from David Helvey. It is difficult to convey how important General Paik was to the ROK/US Alliance for so many years - from 1950 until the day he passed away.
2. Korean War hero Paik laid to rest
en.yna.co.kr · by 최수향 · July 15, 2020
I think this is the last message I will send on General Paik's passing. However, the Korean press continues to harp on General Paik's short period of military service in Manchukuo under Japan. Therefore, I am going to take this opportunity to share some comments some Korea hands sent me. This provides what I think is some more objective history about General Paik's service in Manchukuo. And it also includes some political analysis regards those in South Korea who want to discredit General Paik's service.
Apologies for the length of these but I think they are worthy of study and reflection.
First Comment.
History Distortion in South Korea
"He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past."
---George Orwell's 1984
History is so distorted that most Koreans don't know the truth, and those academics/historians who speak out are sued, punished, and attacked physically and online.
As the editorial in the Korea Herald on July 14, 2020 pointed out ([Editorial] Proper recognition),
"In 2005, Paik was stigmatized as a pro-Japanese collaborator by a presidential committee formed by the leftist government of President Roh Moo-hyun to determine who those collaborators were. The committee cited Paik's membership in Japan's Gando Special Force, created in 1938 to subdue armed resistance forces in the Jiandao region of Kirin province in Manchuria, known in Korean as "Gando."
However, according to historians, independence fighters had already moved out of Gando by 1943, when Paik joined the force. Paik acknowledged having served in the force but stressed that he never saw any independence fighters."
Who were the Korean "Independence fighters?" There were those who wanted independence from Japan, and not to be subsumed under another country, but there were also those who had different ideas. Many were communists, who wanted independence from Japan in order to create a communist state loyal to the Soviet Union. There also were bandits, who threatened, extorted, and stole from Korean businesses in Manchuria. Money and jobs were not readily available back then. So the money for their activities came from where they can. Lenin provided funds for those seeking independence, but that wasn't out of the goodness of his heart. He wanted to propagate communism and Soviet Union's influence to the Far East, but Japan was standing in its way. They received financial and other support from Lenin (which was crucial) and also, communism was romanticized back then (sort of like now too)--all the oppressed rise up and be "equal," "carve your own destiny," "workers, peasants are the masters," etc. The communists and nationalist had the common goal of independence from Japan, so sometimes they worked together, but also there were a lot of internecine fighting. Some of these communist/gangster-oriented groups also advocated killing and killed their parents (like Mao's Red Guards). Manchuria at this time was sort of like the wild, wild West.
By 1921, these groups were decimated. The Soviet Union's Bolsheviks essentially massacred them and took more as prisoners to the Soviet Union and sent to labor camps or killed.
Some escaped this situation and joined the Chang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces or Mao's 8th Routh Army. That means they were part of Chinese military under Mao, working toward the mission of 8RA, which was not independence of Korea, but the independence of China, and building a communist society. Thus by 1940s, when General Paik and President Park Chung Hee were Gando (Manchuria) military officers, there really weren't "Korean independent fighters." There were bandits (Kim Il Sung's band was in this category).
In 1942, Stalin created the 88th Special Reconnaissance Brigade of ethnic Chinese, Koreans, and Russians. This is where Kim Il-sung and key personnel were when Stalin set up its puppet state in the north. In fact, Stalin created this unit to hold and train personnel, who will fill key slots and run Soviet Union's satellite state in the northern half of the peninsula.
During Japan's annexation of Korea (1910-1945), Koreans were treated as 2nd class citizens, to the point that they could not join the Japanese Imperial Army. They were seen as not capable. As the war went on, and Japan needed more soldiers, it started to open up, and the Koreans could join the military in Manchuria-the Gando forces. For many who lived in abject poverty (because Koreans were poor during the Chosun Dynasty-about 40% were slaves during that dynasty, which ended after Japan occupied Korea, but the majority were still poor), one of the ways up the social ladder was through the military. Their military training, of course, provided the capability needed for the ROK military, which fought the Korean War, started by North Korean invasion. To say General Paik and others who served in the Gando military are "pro-Japan" and are "traitors" ignores the reality of the situation. Also, since Koreans were seen as "not capable," it was a way to prove that Koreans are indeed capable and "equal."
Under Rho Moo-hyun, they began to create a "dictionary" of "collaborators with Japan." What they discovered was that so many of the people on the left can trace their ancestry to those who "collaborated" with Japan. So they stopped, and kept the part about the left's "pro-Japan" background silent.
So this is not about "pro-Japan collaborators." President Park Chung-hee also served in the Gando military. The South Korean left will drag this out about General Paik to go after President Park Chung-hee, his legacy, and his family (which includes President Park Geun-hye; the impeachment was not based on facts, as there still is no evidence-there never was. See here and here.
They have been rewriting history, and it accelerated under Moon. They have tried to defame and erase President Syngman Rhee. They have also tried to create a negative image of Park CH, but his achievement is so large that most Koreans will not go for it, but with this "pro-Japan because he served in the Gando military" is a narrative set up to target PCH.
This is part of their overall effort to change South Korean history to confuse its identity and de-legitimize the ROK system. Then they'll introduce another system-socialism/communism. It's already doing it--signs are everywhere: suppression of freedom speech/freedom press/freedom assembly/freedom of religion, severe deterioration of the rule of law, unfair and unfree elections, encroachment on private property rights, consolidation (not separation\) of power, and the efforts to change the constitution to delete "freedom" from it, and adding "public concept of property" (nationalization of property), among others, in it.
The Moon administration and his party are relying more and more on "anti-Japan" rhetoric as source of their legitimacy (like the North Korean narrative of Kim Il-sung and his partisan fighting Japanese and single-handedly bringing independence to Korea). Also, it's part of the Gat-geun (hat strings) strategy of Kim Il-sung-1 string ties to Japan, the other ties to the U.S. If the string to Japan is cut off, then the hat blows away (so it automatically ends the alliance with the U.S.).
So for many reasons, it's not really about "pro-Japan" Koreans and their "faults," but a concerted effort to change South Korea's system to socialism/communism, and help North Korea achieve its vision of unification.
Second comment.
Sir - thank you for a defense of a hero who should need no defense, yet is under full throated attack. But, there is far more to this: the reality: the sinister evil intent in destroying GEN Paik is not the destruction of GEN Paik, he is but a vessel for the attack - it is calculated, vicariously and strategically targeted at one single political opponent, legacy, and ideas that the individual and group represent: the Park Family and specifically progenitor Park Chung-hee.
Purposely without historical context, the Moon advocates are destroying GEN Paik for his service in the Japanese Imperial Army for the underlying purpose to destroy former President Park CH, his legacy, as well as his family and familial lines - President Park Geun-hye. They see their Paik destruction as thrusting a gold spike into the heart of the Park legacy and enduring opposing political gravitas as well as real Korean War history.
As you know, I recently completed a very detailed and lengthy study into the origins, actions, and history of the ROKMC from 1949 thru Vietnam. Given the first brilliant Commandant, the other founders, the officer corps, the few NCOs, and many of those who fell saving the ROK were former Japanese Imperial Army or their surrogate forces - where does the attack on GEN Paik lead? You also have studied the war, Korean history, and origins of the ROKA - it is a parallel tale to the ROKMC.
I make only one comment on the similarity of the destruction of ROK history for political sinister purposes and our Nation today: education is the center of gravity. Change history (should be an oxymoron), one changes the people and simultaneously the very foundational freedom principles of the Nation. We have already lost freedom of speech and public thought - speak one's thoughts lose one's livelihood and family's future. The ROK has parallel indicators in today's knowledge distribution: the escapee groups loss of expression freedom.
In the Machiavellian machination worlds occurring today - both Left and Right - it confirms again and again that "money is NOT the root of all evil" - an evil tree roots, grows, and is driven ever upward by political power instinct.
My comment:
There is so much to think about from the above comments. I will just focus on a couple points. I think the comments about Park CH are spot on and important but it even goes beyond that. Some in the current administration (and the political philosophy of their partisan views) seem to base their legitimacy on modern anti-Japanese sentiment. This is similar to the Kim family regime's legitimacy that is built on anti-Japanese partisan warfare and the myth of liberating Korea. This also parallels efforts to align the South more politically with the north by doing such things as attempting to remove "liberal" from the Constitution and taking out words like freedom. Afterall north Korea is a "democracy" - it says so in their name DPRK and constitution. A real conspiracy theorist would say North Korean subversion of the South is being very effective.
3. Seoul dismisses N.Korean endorsement of New top officials
english.chosun.com · July 15, 2020
I think this is pretty amazing that the North makes these statements and the South has to counter them. But according to some Korea analysts the members of the administration's new national security team were chosen because of their relationships with North Korean officials. It should be no surprise the North would endorse these officials. But the Blue House is concerned with the criticism such endorsements reign.
4. Letter to President Moon: Re: fighters for a free North Korea and Keunsaem
by Suzanne Scholte · July 15, 2020
Here is a letter from Suzanne Schotle to President Moon. Suzanne is the President, Defense Forum Foundation and among her many great contributions to freedom and human rights she supports the work of escapees/defectors working to get information to the Korean people in the North. Information and influence activities are so important not only to sustaining maximum pressure on the regime but also to informing the people of what their leadership is doing and how their human rights are being denied. Ultimately this work supports unification by helping to educate the Korean people about the outside world and to show them the alternatives to the Socialist Workers Paradise, its Juche ideology (religion), and the Songbun social classification system that supports the denial of human rights so the Kim family regime can remain in power.
5. Korea punishes TikTok for data mishandling
The Korea Times · July 15, 2020
A small victory (and a fine that is too small). But hopefully this will help to wake people to the "predatory" TikTok app.
6. Will a waning moon reduce the opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula?
The National Interest · by Denny Roy · July 15, 2020
Is waning better than waxing? I always get those confused. Seriously, If Kim or his successor (we hope) seek a peace treaty for tactical advantage by definition they would not be seeking a peace treaty that would bring peace and stability to the region. Instead the tactical advantage would be to support its "long con" and part of the regime's political warfare strategy.
7. Why a 'Grand Bargain' between the West and North Korea is possible
The National Interest · by Richard Javad Heydarian · July 14, 2020
A "grand bargain" is no longer improbable? How many times have we tried that? What happened to the Agreed Framework? The Perry Policy Review? The September 2005 Agreement? The Leap Day Agreement? Something must be in the kimchi Mr. Heydarian ate in North Korea. Now I agree unification is the solution; however, it cannot be under the mafia like crimes family cult in the north. The Korea question must be solved. But pieces like this read like a pro-north Korea propaganda piece.
8. The true burden of the unending Korean War
The National Interest · by Zhu Feng · July 15, 2020
Zhu Feng does provide a Chinese view; however, it has been my experience that he is masterful at telling us what we want to hear. An example is this statement. "It would be a grave miscalculation on the part of Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong to think that the deterioration of China-U.S. relations and long-soured ties between Moscow and Washington might serve as grounds for another go at military adventurism." We certainly hope that Xi is giving this warning to Kim Jong-un. But is he? Does Xi really believe this or does he want us to believe this so we will miscalculate?
9. Six men caught trying to escape North Korea on Memorial Day for Founder Kim Il Sung
This is the key point: "The crackdown and surveillance on illegal phone usage is stronger now than it ever has been." Cell phone usage is critically important in North Korea from contacting brokers and smugglers, managing the market prices, coordinating transportation for move goods and people, etc. The North is using the coronavirus to impose very harsh population and resources control measures to more completely oppress the Korean people in the North to prevent any kind of resistance.
10. It was petty of Moon to ignore Korean War hero's funeral
Strong criticism of President Moon from the Chosun Ilbo editorial board. But actually this illustrates a crack in the alliance. I do worry that General Paik has become the dividing line for support to the ROK/US alliance. I think the NSC, State, and DOD did the right thing in sending condolence statements; however, the political opposition in Korea uses that to shame and criticize the Blue House which make those with already existing anti-US sentiment even more likely to work toward the end of the alliance which certain partisan political factions blame for hindering intra-Korean relations.
11. Pompeo downplays possibility of summit with North Korea
Stars and Stripes · July 15, 2020
But there are those who think the US is going to engineer an October Surprise summit to help with the election.
12. Trump insiders: Trump wants 'breakthrough' NoKo deal before election
The American Conservative · by Harry J. Kazianis
I am glad these "Trump insiders" are confiding in Mr. Kazianis. A "return to the Six-Party talks?" Really? I am also not sure how there can be a bilateral summit that will have clear deliverables for each side if there are no substantive working level talks that are taking place (Or are there talks being conduct and somehow this has been kept secret from all the watchful eyes of the press, pundits and Korea hands). Mr.Kazianis does recognize the negotiating problem and the lack of a "counterpart for our special representative. But in the end is the same old tired recommendation: put denuclearization at the end of the negotiating process. Which means give North Korea everything first in the hopes it will denuclearize. How has that worked for us in the past? And I hope everyone can see how this would play right into Kim's long con..
13. Seoul prosecutors open probe into N. Korean leader's sister over liaison office demolition
en.yna.co.kr · by 유청모 · July 16, 2020
Good. So maybe the next time she comes to South Korea for the Olympic games she can be arrested. On a serious note I am surprised but pleased to see this. I hope the prosecutor and the ROK government will stand up to the North's bullying. But I am sure this will produce a rhetorical firestorm from the North at some point.
14. North Korea boosts Mount Kumgang tourism amid COVID-19
upi.com · July 15, 2020
Wishful thinking? Perhaps not if South Korean lawmakers have their way. And this is a large money-making enterprise for the regime which of course is problematic with the sanctions regime.
15. S. Korea on alert over imported virus cases coming from Iraq
en.yna.co.kr · by 주경돈 · July 16, 2020
Iraq? Note South Korean construction businesses operating in Iraq.
16. Arrivals from 6 countries subject to tougher quarantine (South Korea)
english.chosun.com · July 16, 2020
Can we read between the lines here? "...the government was squeamish about saying what the new additions are. A health spokesman cited "diplomatic reasons." Is one of them the US?
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"So the realm of strategy is one of bargaining and persuasion as well as threats and pressure, psychological as well as physical effects, and words as well as deeds. This is why strategy is the central political art. It is about getting more out of a situation than the starting balance of power would suggest. It is the art of creating power."
- Lawrence Freedman, Strategy: A History
"You've got to think about big things while you're doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction."
- Alvin Toffler
"Do not feel entitled to anything you do not sweat or struggle for."
- Marian Wright Edelman