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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul mayor meets with veterans, vows support expansion
To mark Patriots and Veterans Month in June, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held a roundtable Wednesday with veterans' group representatives, presenting updates on the city's major commemorative infrastructure projects and welfare policies for those who served. Wednesday's meeting, held at Seoul City Hall, brought together Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and 15 representatives from major veterans groups based in the city, including Ryu Jae-sik of the Korean War Veterans Association, Kim Bu-gil of the Vietnam Veterans Association Korea and Kim Dae-ha of the Heritage of Korean Independence. During Wednesday's meeting, Oh shared the city's vision for building a second Veterans Hall in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, complementing the existing facility in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. According to a city government official, the existing facility in western Seoul has reached full capacity and can only accommodate four of the city's 15 veterans' organizations. The new hall is scheduled to be built by 2030 and will include not just offices for veterans' groups but also exhibition halls and educational facilities for veterans' organizations to use. The Seoul Mayor also presented updates on the Garden of Gratitude, a symbolic space dedicated to honoring the veterans and countries that participated in the 1950-53 Korean War. Set to be constructed at Gwanghwamun Square by 2027 to honor Korean veterans and the 22 countries that supported South Korea during the Korean War, Oh added that the city government aims to remember the sacrifices of veterans who 'laid the foundation for South Korea's prosperity' and 'create a space that conveys gratitude for their contributions.' 'This space will serve as a place where visitors and passersby can remember and reflect on the value veterans hold in our everyday lives,' said Oh. The Seoul Metropolitan Government currently supports over 100,000 veterans and their families. This year, the city government has allocated more than 100 billion won ($72.9 million) to bolster veterans' welfare services. Among key programs receiving increased funding is the city's Honorary Funeral Service for veterans, which provides ceremonial support at the request of bereaved families, including escorts, the presentation of the national flag and condolence visits. Previously, the program's reach was limited to around 40 percent of applicants due to budget and personnel constraints, but the city government plans to raise this coverage rate to 80 percent through its supplementary budget. The city government also announced Wednesday that it will expand its financial assistance to veterans and their families. Starting this year, the monthly subsidy given to individuals who were a part of the April 19 Revolution and veterans who were injured after taking part in wars was raised from 100,000 won to 150,000 won. The subsidy given to veterans aged 80 or older also increased from 150,000 won to 200,000 won. As part of its commemorative efforts, Oh also added that the city will distribute one-time condolence payments in June. Subsidies of up to 100,000 won will be given to families with more than two veterans who died from the war and veterans with severe disabilities, and subsidies of 50,000 won will be given to veterans aged over 80 as well as those part of low-income groups and the spouses of injured or fallen soldiers. The city government will also provide institutional support of up to 3 million won to the Veterans Health Service Medical Center and 300,000 won to each veteran's group branch across Seoul. 'This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation and the 75th anniversary of the Korean War,' said Oh. 'Many who are present (in the roundtable meeting) today are the very people who safeguarded Korea in times of crisis. Seoul will continue to honor their sacrifices through policies and commemorative spaces that ensure their heroism is remembered and respected in their everyday lives.'
![[Ambrose Seo] A tale of two national flags](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F02%2F05%2Fnews-p.v1.20250205.0d0bbcc6572b4f1da14b622599f3387b_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Ambrose Seo] A tale of two national flags
The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag of the United States, has become a frequent sight at far-right rallies in South Korea, flown alongside South Korea's Taegeukgi. These rallies support President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently under investigation for a self-coup attempt following his unconstitutional and illegal declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3. This move has not only triggered impeachment proceedings but also raised serious concerns about his alleged attempt to undermine democracy and establish authoritarian rule. The curious presence of American flags at these rallies raises questions. Why would those rallying behind a leader accused of attempting to dismantle democracy align themselves with the symbolism of the United States, a nation that professes to support democratic values? When outgoing US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg was asked about it, his response was speculative. He suggested that it might be linked to older participants who experienced the Korean War and felt gratitude toward the US While diplomatically careful not to make definitive statements, Goldberg likely understands that the phenomenon is deeply rooted in the complex and often troubling history of US involvement in South Korea's politics. The display of American flags at these rallies reflects more than mere nostalgia for past alliances; it symbolizes a distortion of history. During the Cold War, US foreign policy in South Korea prioritized anti-communism over democratic values, supporting authoritarian leaders like Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan. These leaders ruled with authoritarian measures, suppressing dissent, stifling democracy, restricting free speech, and violating human rights while enjoying US military and economic support. This historical relationship has left a complicated legacy. Far-right groups in South Korea have perpetuated the narrative that US support equates to an endorsement of authoritarianism. The presence of American flags at rallies supporting Yoon Suk Yeol underscores this misconception. It represents a plea for US backing despite Yoon's actions that threaten the very democratic principles the United States claims to uphold. This paradox points to a fundamental misunderstanding of the United States' role in South Korea's political history. While similar patterns of US support for authoritarian regimes have occurred globally -- in Chile, Indonesia and elsewhere -- the case of South Korea stands out. Unlike the far-right narrative that credits US support, democratic progress in South Korea was not achieved through US intervention but through the sacrifices of ordinary citizens. Movements such as the April 19 Revolution, the Bu-Ma Uprising, the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, and the June 1987 Democracy Movement are all vivid examples of the Korean people's determination to fight for freedom and justice. The United States, despite its close ties with South Korea, played little to no role in these movements. In some cases, such as the Gwangju Democratic Uprising, Washington's inaction in the face of state-sponsored violence and massacre has left a deep scar on the Korean psyche. The presence of American flags at rallies supporting Yoon's authoritarian aspirations sends a misleading and dangerous message. It conflates US geopolitical support with a perceived endorsement of undemocratic regimes. Ironically, these displays highlight the contradictions in US foreign policy, which has often prioritized strategic interests over democratic principles. The new Trump administration's unpredictable foreign policy adds further concerns. Trump's 'America First' approach prioritizes transactional relationships over shared values. Could Washington tacitly support leaders like Yoon if it aligns with short-term US interests? It is important to acknowledge, however, that not all Americans support such foreign policies. Many intellectuals, politicians and activists in the US have historically supported South Korea's democratic movements. As former US President Jimmy Carter once said, America is 'a beautiful mosaic' of diverse voices, reminding us that government actions do not always reflect the views of its people. As a physicist, I often find myself drawn to the concept of balance or equilibrium in nature. Since democracy relies on balance -- between power and accountability, freedom and responsibility -- the laws of physics offer a useful analogy. When balance is disturbed beyond a critical point, whether by internal vulnerability or external force, the system risks collapse. Yoon's December 3 declaration of emergency martial law is widely viewed as a deliberate attempt to destabilize this balance. Nevertheless, the resilience of South Korea's democracy and the will of its people have prevented its democratic system from collapsing. By not only resorting to antidemocratic actions but also wavering the American flag, far-right groups in South Korea seek to induce external intervention to disrupt the democratic balance and override the will of the people. South Korea's democracy -- now often referred to as 'K-democracy' -- is a globally recognized achievement born from the collective will of its citizens, not external powers. As President Yoon faces a legal and political reckoning, the world watches closely. The protection of South Korea's constitutional democracy is not just vital for the nation's future but also serves as a powerful reminder that democracy must be defended from within. The Star-Spangled Banner may wave in the streets of Seoul, but it cannot obscure the truth that South Korea's democratic destiny lies firmly in the hands of its people.
