U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow was scheduled to hold a talk with members of the Korea Internet Journalists Association on Friday, but members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) denied him access to the building. KCTU and the internet news organization Voice of the People, where Vershbow had an appointment, both have offices there. Union members said they blocked him from entering because of inflammatory comments about North Korea being a "criminal regime" and since he was there "as either part of an attempt to plot something towards the progressive media or put on a political show."
Conservative forces are asking how the issue of North Korea is related to KCTU, and criticize its action as having hurt the country's image. You hear calls for it to "act like a labor group." That criticism, however, is inappropriate. Since its founding, KCTU has been a pillar of the movement for intra-Korean reconciliation and reunification. It is an organization that has grown despite violent suppression based on accusations its members were "reds," so has maintained the view that the reality faced by workers and division on the Korean peninsula are inseparable. No one can deny that aspects of that interpretation are still valid. Therefore, criticizing Vershbow for his comments about North Korea does not by itself hurt the country's image, and it was not forgetful of what the organizations purpose is supposed to be.
The problem is KCTU's rigidity and self-righteousness. As noted in a statement by the Korea Internet Journalists Association, people who work for internet media are laborers too, and the organization's president also happens to be the head of Voice of the People, which has a contract for cooperation with KCTU. If KCTU's members had the slightest amount of confidence in their fellow workers and allied forces, they would not have considered the journalists people who can be used in an effort to manipulate the media. The U.S. ambassador has to be able to meet with diverse individuals in Korea and exchange views. KCTU needs to take a look at itself and see whether its inflexible attitude is because of self-righteousness.
The Hankyoreh, 14 January 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] KCTU Wrong To Block U.S. Ambassador |
