War Memorials and Memories: Comparing the Philippines and South Korea

Abstract

This paper draws from international relations, comparative politics, and Asian Studies in an effort to compare war memorials and memories in the Philippines and South Korea. The analysis begins with a description of how memorials in both countries pursue a conventional narrative of glorious victories, heroic defeats, and sacred ground. The focus then shifts to counter‐narratives that have challenged the USA and American General Douglas MacArthur. The comparisons reveal a desire for sovereignty in both the Philippines and South Korea, but also differences in heritage and geopolitical circumstances that shape relations with the USA. South Korea possesses an older and more warlike birthright than the Philippines and has developed a national identity increasingly separate from North Korea. Filipino memories, conversely, are steeped in Catholic spirituality.

Keywords:

• Korea
• MacArthur
• Philippines
• Memorials
• Memories
• War

Notes

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[2] Mulder, ‘“This God‐forsaken Country”’, 181–204.

[3] Nanto, North Korea.

[4] War Memorial Service—Korea, War Memorial.

[5] Shin Chang‐won and Chun Young‐gi, ‘Park Chung Hee Still Gets High Marks’, Joong Ang Daily, 13 October 2005.

[6] War Memorial of Korea, ‘Character’ [accessed 23 April 2006], available from www.warmemo.co.kr/eng/intro/story/character.jsp

[7] Marie Neri, ‘Villegas Says Bishop Can’t Declare Mt. Samat a Holy Ground’, Sun Star, 28 November 2004.

[8] Ileto, Pasyon and Revolution; Moreno, Church, State, and Civil Society in Postauthoritarian Philippines.

[9] PBS, The American Experience: ‘MacArthur’s Speeches: “I Shall Return”’ [accessed 29 October 2007], available from www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/filmmore/reference/primary/macspeech02.html

[10] Boot, The Savage Wars of Peace, 99–128; Ileto, ‘Philippine Wars and the Politics of Memory’.

[11] ‘Tears’ refers to Marcos’ autobiography For Every Tear a Victory.

[12] R. Constantino, Vol I.; L. R. Constantino, Recalling the Philippine–American War; Ileto, ‘Philippine Wars’, 218.

[13] Boot, The Savage Wars of Peace, 125; Ileto, ‘Philippine Wars’.

[14] Manila 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities (DVD), Manila: Spyron AV Presentation, 2007; Peter Parsons, writer and director, e‐mail, 14 November 2007.

[15] Ileto, ‘Philippine Wars’, 233.

[16] BBC News, ‘Philippines Blast Wrecks Marcos Bust’, 29 December 2002.

[17] CNN, ‘Filipino Hostage Freed in Iraq: Philippine Troops to Leave Iraq on August 20’, 10 July 2004.

[18] Jack Kim (Reuters), ‘South Korea Spy Unit Admits Kidnapping Nobel Winner’, Yahoo!News, 24 October 2007.

[19] Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas, 109–38.

[20] Shin, ‘An Interview with Bruce Cumings’.

[21] Jeremy Williams, ‘“Kill ‘em All”: The American Military in Korea’ [accessed 11 September 2007], BBC History, 2002‐02‐01, available from www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/korea_usa_03.shtml; US Army, ‘Report of the No Gun Ri Review’ [accessed 11 September 2007], January 2001, available from www.army.mil/nogunri/

[22] Chosun Ilbo, ‘Lawmakers Lock Horns over Taft‐Katsura Treaty’, 30 September 2005.

[23] George Vecsey, ‘Sports of The Times; The “Other” South Korea’, New York Times, 18 November 1988.

[24] K. Y. Hyo, ‘Greeting’ (War Memorial of Korea, 2004) [accessed 30 October 2007], available from www.warmemo.co.kr/eng/intro/message/message.jsp

[25] People’s Daily Online (China), ‘DPRK Calls for Dismantling MacArthur’s Statue in Incheon Park’, 4 July 2002.

[26] Deirdre Griswold, ‘South Korea is “Boiling” over Crimes of Occupation’, Workers World, 12 December 2002.

[27] Korean Central News Agency (DPRK), ‘Prompt Removal of Murderer’s Statue Demanded’, 14 June 2005; Kum‐Chun Hwang, ‘Statue of MacArthur at Center of Ideological Dispute’, Dong‐A Ilbo, 12 September 2005; China Daily, ‘Gen. MacArthur Statue Spawns Korea Protest’, updated 18 July 2005.

[28] Bong, ‘Yongmi’.

[29] Jeremy Kirk, ‘South Koreans Doubt Relevance of MacArthur; Want Statue Out of Incheon Park’, Washington Times, 18 January 2005; Choe Sang‐Hun, ‘Tussle over MacArthur Highlights Split with U.S.’, International Herald Tribune, 16 September 2005; Chosun Ilbo, ‘Attack on MacArthur “An Insult to All UN Soldiers”: Envoy’, 23 September 2005; ibid., ‘Korean Veterans Apologize for MacArthur Protests’, 25 September 2005.

[30] Chosun Ilbo, ‘Foreign Minister Responds to U.S. Concerns about MacArthur Statue’, 19 September 2005.

[31] Angus Reid Global Monitor: Polls & Research, ‘South Koreans Would Keep MacArthur’s Statue’, 28 October 2005 [accessed 4 November 2007], available from http://www.angus‐reid.com/polls/view/9603

[32] C. Lee, ‘Gallup World Poll: South Korea’s Political Dilemma’, The Gallup Organization, 22 September 2006.

[33] Bong, ‘Yongmi’.

[34] BBC News, ‘S Korea Extends Iraq Deployment’, 23 October 2007.

[35] Associated Press, ‘S Korea to Build No Gun Ri Park Memorial’, 22 March 2007.

[36] University of Chicago News Office, ‘Distinguished Scholar Bruce Cumings Receives Important Award from South Korea’, 24 May 2007 [accessed 29 October 2007], available from www‐news.uchicago.edu/releases/07/070524.cumings.shtml

[37] Jack Kim (Reuters), ‘South Korea Says U.S. Troops to Stay after Peace Deal’, Yahoo!News, 26 October 2007.