The Korean community in America is deeply pained by the impeachment proceedings against the South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, announced on March 11 by the National Assembly in Seoul. Korean public officials and leaders of Korean groups in America are dismayed and are studying the newspapers for further developments.
Korean immigrants repeatedly checked news reports during their daily commute to work, and could not conceal both their shock and surprise. In the business sector, wholesalers who deal with Korean merchants are getting nervous about the Korean economy and are waiting to see whether the impeachment proceedings will have any effect on the exchange rate.
Leaders of various political parties also reacted strongly. Nosamo supporters – the largest block behind Roh Moo-hyun – loudly criticized the opposition party for their actions.
Most of those in high-level positions in Korean society however, were hesitant to voice any opinion publicly, even though many discussions are taking place in private. The reason for this seems to be that Roh Moo-hyun’s future is uncertain. With Noh’s political power deeply shaken, many of those who rode to power on his coattails are joining the rising condemnation of his administration, and yet are extremely wary about expressing such opinions in public.
As far as government organizations are concerned, the Korean Consulate here in New York held a general emergency meeting on March 12, at which time it was decided to implement a plan in response to the situation in Korea and offer services on weekends. The Consul General is issuing frequent reports on the Korean immigrants’ opinions regarding the impeachment, and on the reaction on Wall Street to the situation that include predictions for the Korean economy.
Korean business leaders are also following the situation closely. In New York, the local director of the Korean Trade Association, Jang-han Kim, said that Korean companies in America are making an effort to understand the pulse of the American investors. “Traders and market analysts are asking some questions, but I don’t think there will be a great problem because of the situation in Korea,” said Kim. “It’s possible that the Korean Won exchange rate will rise. We are studying this possibility carefully.”
According to a Samsung Company official: “It seems that the reaction in the American press will lead to the decline of Korea’s economic image. I’m deeply worried about this. We might have to endure a drop in the reputation and favored status of Korean products.”
Among supporters of the Korean political parties, Jae-hoong Choi, the chairman of the Hannara Party’s support group in New York, said: “The passing of the bill of impeachment in the National Assembly was a good thing . Noh has made many mistakes during his year in office. The economy has steadily worsened; it’s worse now than during the IMF-period [International Monetary Fund]. If he really cares about our country, then he should resign quickly to restore national order.
The former president of the Korean National Association of America, Sun-ho Kim, said: “Reform politics gather things together gradually to produce order. Noh’s policy has been irrational.”
Meanwhile in New York, Nosamo issued a strong public denouncement of the Hannara and Minjoo parties. A Nosamo newspaper advertisement read: “It’s time for us to stand up. We have lost our sovereignty. We are people of a country devoid of sovereignty. Let us call upon Korea to choose for Roh Moo-hyun on April 15th, so that we can restore our sovereignty.” Another announced: “We will be victorious! Truth has always overcome, in all ages and all times, in the East and the West. Our current pain and confusion will serve for us to gather and cut down the Conservative party, with its pro-Japanese roots.”
CNN’s headline news reported on the situation in the Korean National Assembly on March 12th in 30-minute intervals, airing footage of the fighting going on in Parliament.
Apparently, the anchors found the situation amusing; instead of focusing on the impeachment issue itself, they laughed at the repeated images of politicians tussling with each other.
A 23-year old Korean immigrant, Mr. Lee, said: “I was completely embarrassed by CNN’s coverage, and couldn’t explain to my friends what was happening on screen. I was so frustrated that I couldn’t talk.” A Flushing resident, Mr. Park, said: “When I came to work that morning I kept quiet. Many of my co-workers are supporters of the opposition party.”
Local leaders in Korean community have been slow to issue statements regarding the impeachment proceedings, in the attempt to prevent further confusion. Ki-chul Kim,, the chairman of the Korean Association of New York, said: “I don’t want to say anything, including ‘that’s too bad’ or ‘it’s very painful.’ Instead, I’ll just hold my tongue. I do not want our Korean immigrants to become divided into two groups, as it is happening to the population back home.”
