US ambassador Goldberg meets the South Korean opposition

Video of Lee Jae-myung opposition leader meeting with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg. (2024.09.26 오전) Goldberg and Lee use interpreters so the whole video is understandable in English.

I recall Lee's meeting with the Chinese ambassador some time ago, it seemed so much friendlier. Goldberg looks stiff, forced smiles, folded arms, etc. I'm sure the leader of the Democratic Party, a majority in the National Assembly was the last person he wanted to meet, he was probably directed to do it. "Human rights, rule of law, wherever they are under threat." How can Goldberg keep a straight face saying that? The comment at the end by Lee is a dig at the US apparent lack of interest in the extraordinarily tense relations with North Korea. The threat of "accidental" conflict breaking out along the DMZ causes Lee to request "...your deeper interest in these issues." Other than mentioning the potential for nuclear proliferation to South Korea and/or Japan prompted by the North Korean threat, Lee said zero about Japan, China, Taiwan, Indo-Pacific etc. This is by design. I wonder what may have happened during the closed meeting after the short formal public meeting.

From the large anti-Yoon demonstration in Seoul today. "Anti-democratic, anti welfare of the people, anti-peace, historic pro-Japan coup d'etat Yoon government; there is no way to sit and just let this go."

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According to Simone Chun's recent essay in Counterpunch, the provocation of North Korea is deliberate, and part of the US anti-China strategy. I listened to some other activist leaders in an OhMyNews talk show who are seeing parallels developing to events during the latter part of the Park administration. They think an editorial take lately in the Chosun Ilbo, reflects increasing conservative frustration with Yoon, who is not a politician by nature, but is solely focused on advancing his personal interests and protecting his wife and her supporters from justice. He has of course, adopted an authoritarian manner of doing things, is uncompromising and neglecting state affairs other than the anti North Korea, US pro Japan, Indo-Pacific outlook directed against China. This was their analysis of Chosun Ilbo's editorial, they didn't give a specific reference that I could look at myself. I have seen at least one recently that suggested Yoon was too detached from public sentiment and would present challenges in future elections for conservatives if he didn't change.

Although there were some impeach Yoon placards in this large demonstration, the theme of the organized labor and civic groups was, "Yoon step down!"

Simone collected a few photos over on her twitter thread of the large Yoon resign demo in Seoul today. Candlelight leadership was there, but most of bodies were from organized labor groups and civil society. Demonstrations took place in multiple South Korean cities from what I understand. I saw banners from the progressive party and justice party as well. There was a serial confrontation with police that seemed to me to have been instigated by someone lighting smoke bombs or some kind of flares in the crowd near the end of the demonstration. The senior police officers and parade staff managed the hotheads well and the trouble subsided. I'd like to see the size of this demonstration double. That will signal the end for Yoon and company.

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soryang's picture

This is from the Yoon Seok-yeol step down demo last Saturday and records the entire development of the confrontation between union members and police near the end of the demonstration. The sequence of events appears to be that some workers had prepared some sort of flammable Yoon Seok-yeol OUT display on a metal frame arrangement. It looked like one demonstrator was pouring fuel of some kind on the display. The police began interfering. There was a fairly mild altercation, most people stepping away, but some hanging onto to the display while police seem to be apprehending at least one individual. As the confrontation develops someone throws a smoke device of some type, then more. I heard in earlier video someone yell tear gas, and then another Capacin. The police start to put their rather rudimentary masks on, and some of the demonstrators do likewise as they try to get away from the smoke. On the earlier video I saw it seemed as if senior police officers calmed the situation down, which I don't see that so well on this video.

The union organizers blame the police for the confrontation and want the individual arrested to be released. They claim the police reaction was excessive, I'm not sure. However, the willingness of some of the men to push back indicates the level of political tension. I understand that one of Yoon's recent vetoes was a "yellow envelope" law, which is aimed at reducing the legal remedies employers have for financial damages (loss of income) caused by workers on strike. There are also potential criminal consequences for workers who organize strikes that result in financial losses to employers that are intended to inhibit strikes. One worker several months ago, burned himself to death in front of the courthouse where he was being arraigned in opposition to the criminal penalties on strike organizers.

I see the title on this suggests the erection of the structure with the Yoon OUT sign was a violation of the "gypsy ban" that precludes encampments on public venues (especially for political reasons). This is how overnight sit ins are prevented.

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語必忠信 行必正直

QMS's picture

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sounds like Yoon is building a tinderbox

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truth is considered foreign influence, world peace is a threat to national security