Korea Enters 2012

The Korean Peninsula enters 2012 with both sides of Korea in flux. North Korea, with a recent transition of power, will be celebrating the 100th birthday of its founding leader Kim Il Sung in April. South Korea will be holding crucial elections in 2012 -- parliamentary elections in April and presidential election in December, with opposition forces eyeing for a transfer of power. China, Russia, and the US will be holding presidential elections or transfer of power as well.

With these expected changes and infusion of new players, an opportune moment may come in 2012 for a renewed and refreshed start of the peace process in the Korean Peninsula, with amending of relations between the two sides of Korea and a resolution of security issues. Let's hope for the best in 2012.

[Photo by AP: Sun rises in Pyongyang. With the AP now operating a bureau in Pyongyang, news stories and photos abound.]

North Korea After Kim Jong Il

Wild speculations and conjectures abound in the international circles in the aftermath of the death of Chairman Kim Jong Il of North Korea, whereas the transition of power to Kim Jong Un seems to be playing out without any incident. During upcoming uncertainties of the situation, all parties concerned should support a development conducive to fostering peace and reconciliation in the Korean Peninsula.
See alternative analyses: Korea Policy Institute article, interview on Democracy Now!

1000th Continuous Wednesday Protest on "Comfort Women" Issue

Dec. 14, 2011 marked the 1000th "Wednesday Protest" on behalf of the Korean "Comfort Women" victims -- the continuous protest every Wednesday, rain or shine, for the past 19 years in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul, Korea. The few surviving and aging victims and their support organization (The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Sexual Slavery by Japan) have been demanding sincere acknowledgement and apology from the Japanese government on this issue, yet no representative of the Japanese embassy has ever come out of its building over these years to acknowledge the protesters.

The silence of the Japanese authorities on this issue will not deter the protesters though, who have vowed to continue on until they pass away, if necessary. As the Japanese and South Korean governments aim to work toward a "future-oriented" relationship, the first task is to acknowledge the past, especially those painful ones that have not been adequately addressed or redressed, like the wartime "comfort women" sexual slavery issue. Solidarity protests occurred worldwide, including in front of the Japanese embassy in Washington, DC.

Photos are scenes from the protest in Seoul, the bottom photo shows former "comfort women" survivors at the "peace memorial" statue that was erected across from the Japanese embassy, with the likeness of young Korean girl who were forced to serve as sex slave for the Japanese military.

Naggomsu -- The Rise of Alternative Media and Political Activism in South Korea

Naggomsu -- the phenomenal podcast (internet radio) team that is all the rage in South Korea these days -- is on the U.S. tour. (The photo is the event on Dec.8 in Washington, DC at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.) Naggomsu is made up of independent journalist, commentator, producer and a former national legislator. Its programs draws the largest audience in Korea as well as being the top downloaded podcast in iTunes.   While it specializes in humorous satire and parody of President Lee Myung-bak and his policies, it relies more on investigative journalism and keen analysis that uncover the ruling government and political party's mis-steps.

This phenomenon is noticeable and extraordinary since the mainstream Korean media has turned conservative due to media consolidations and ownership by pro-government big businesses. The effective and widespread use of alternative media and social media have energized the pro-democracy and opposition movement to a new level. No wonder the South Korean governemnt has announced that it will begin monitoring and potentially censuring expressions aired in the social media.

A Korean-American Becomes U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

Sung Kim, a "1.5 generation" Korean-American, is the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea (photo showing his family's arrival in Seoul), marking the first time that a Korean-American has taken this post. Kim hadserved as a Korea expert in the State Department. He was also a special envoy to the six-party talks, which now puts him in a good position on the ground in the Korean Peninsula to help foster an atmosphere for possible renewal of the talks aimed at nuclear disarmament and regional security in Northeast Asia.

A Civic Activist Becomes the Mayor of Seoul

Park Won-soon (second from the right on the photo, with supporters from other opposition party leaders) -- human rights lawyer, pro-democracy activist, and a leader of South Korea's grassroots civil society organizations -- was elected as the next mayor of Seoul.

This election was significant in many ways in that 1) a political novice and independent candidate won a major election, bypassing more well-known candidates from the established parties; 2) the opposition parties fielded a unified candidate (by supporting a non-affiliated candidate) which helped prevent splintering of votes that arose in the past elections with the usual array of many opposition candidates; 3) it is an indicator of the populace's dissatisfaction with the ruling Lee Myung-bak government and its policies that will impact upcoming general and presidential elections in 2012; 4) the younger generations have voted strongly for Park, suggesting that they yearn for change from the established politics and economic inequities and hardships.

With his long experiences in civic activities and citizen watchdog groups, Park will be in a good position to promote genuine and popular reforms based on true fairness and social justice.

Protesters on Lee Myung-bak's State Visit to the U.S.

While President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea came to Washington with much fanfare for a state visit, opponents of his policies held a rally during the state dinner; the following is the statement from the rally:

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We have gathered in front of the White House to voice our anger at the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, whose government has reversed the trend towards democracy, prosperity, peace and social welfare espoused by the two previous administrations of Presidents Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo-hyun -- and instead pursued policies that are ant-democratic, anti-peace, and anti-citizen welfare.

Instead of promoting the advancement of Korea’s national economy and the general welfare of the people, President Lee has pushed for his personal agenda and enrichment of his family members through favors, governmental contracts, and shady, speculative land investments. His government officials have been mired in corruption scandals.

Moreover, the Lee government has reversed the years of hard-earned democratic gains by restricting the freedoms of press, assembly, expression and is criticized from all sides for practicing autocratic and unilateral approach towards governance. No wonder South Korea is back in the headlines of the Amnesty International reports for cases of human rights abuses.

Also, we ask President Obama and President Lee to pursue more sincere and pro-active approach towards ensuring peace and reunification of Korea by pursuing an engagement policy that aims to resolve contending issues peacefully, rather than resorting to arms buildup and arms race in the Northeast Asia region.

We demand:
-- President Lee to apologize to the Korean people for destroying democratic gains and freedom, and to pursue policies aimed at restoring democratic principles and rights;
-- President Lee to apologize for economic wrongdoings, and to pursue policies of fairness, transparency and justice;
-- President Lee to stop the construction of Jeju Island Naval Base, which will only add to the military buildup and arms race in the Northeast Asia region.
-- Presidents Obama and Lee to pursue engagement policies that aim to achieve a peaceful settlement in the Korean Peninsula.

October 13, 2011
Anti-MB Committee/Korean Americans for Peace