US okayed mass murder in Korean War

[Lemmy]

The American colonel, troubled by what he was hearing, tried to stall at first. But the declassified record shows he finally told his South Korean counterpart it "would be permitted" to machine-gun 3,500 political prisoners, to keep them from joining approaching enemy forces.

In the early days of the Korean War, other American officers observed, photographed and confidentially reported on such wholesale executions by their South Korean ally, a secretive slaughter believed to have killed 100,000 or more leftists and supposed sympathizers, usually without charge or trial, in a few weeks in mid-1950.

Extensive archival research by The Associated Press has found no indication Far East commander Gen. Douglas MacArthur took action to stem the summary mass killing, knowledge of which reached top levels of the Pentagon and State Department in Washington, where it was classified "secret" and filed away.

Now, a half-century later, the South Korean government's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is investigating what happened in that summer of terror, a political bloodbath largely hidden from history, unlike the communist invaders' executions of southern rightists, which were widely publicized and denounced at the time.

In the now-declassified record at the U.S. National Archives and other repositories, the Korean investigators will find an ambivalent U.S. attitude in 1950 — at times hands-off, at times disapproving.

"The most important thing is that they did not stop the executions," historian Jung Byung-joon, a member of the 2-year-old commission, said of the Americans. "They were at the crime scene, and took pictures and wrote reports."

They took pictures in July 1950 at the slaughter of dozens of men at one huge killing field outside the central city of Daejeon. Between 3,000 and 7,000 South Koreans are believed to have been shot there by their own military and police, and dumped into mass graves, said Kim Dong-choon, the commission member overseeing the investigation of these government killings.

AP IMPACT: US wavered over S. Korean executions - Yahoo! News

[Vargas_4]

It's a terrible thing but it's not a surprise at all.

They're gringos. They always do shit like this and get away with it.

[JamesC81]

america gets away with it because they're the 'good guys' and anyone against them are baddies

[Lemmy]

^ sounds about right

[sinoy1]

Yeah me and a friend were talking on a bus one day.He'd just finished a political science class and kept raving about how America gets away with everything.One topic came up and he mentioned(sited from a book as well...) how America massed murdered millions upon millions,thats not counting WW2.Mauritius Nicaragua Iraq Afghanistan to name the obvious ones.

[Mr Brightside]

If it wasn't for the influence of America under Bill Clinton, my country would probably not be at peace now, so I have a lot of respect for America.

[Vargas_4]

Too bad half of the countries in the world can't say the same thing.

[sinoy1]

And yet, Mr.Brightside, they've got problems within their own nation go figure.

Also Im pretty sure every 3rd world nation would totally disagree with you

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Oh get off it...of course people dont like america...we are the best country in the world...no one likes the best...Do i condone mass murdering...no not at all...but get off it, this would is alot better place with america in it! Sinoy canada hides behind the USA..its comfortring to know your attached to the most powerful nation in the world...no one can attack you without the USA getting your back...its like calling some big guy a name because your with your even bigger friend and u know no one will hurt you when your with them...People only look at the bad shit in history...there were mass murders before America was founded and there will probobly be more in the future......you dont think their were mass murders in ancient rome? but you dont call out the italian goverment...probobly in the UK when they had their rule, but you dont call out the british...get off it!

[Jager]

we are the best country in the world

Says who? Why are you the best?

As opposed to Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and Canada? Or any other country. I have been to America many times, I don't rate it at all, to be honest. However interested in why you do?


And for the mass murder of 3500 prisoners of war, just typical of what really goes on behind the scenes. And now that the Americans cherry coat all their intrusions and acts of aggression around the globe, they will do more of it.

[sinoy1]

Well I cant point out the massive murders of Ancient Rome because we arent in the Roman era .

All I said,correct me if im wrong,was the US condoned mass murdering.You agree correct?I never said its people are ignorant and blinded by the fact that their one sided media enables them from seeing the horrors or pressure they put on the world.

Also Im not attatched to Canada.Yes nobody can fuck with Canada unless they mess with the US...and any sane person would not mess around with the US...hell they'll get Sanctions so far up their ass that any other EU nation cant veto,mostly cause USA has its own Veto .The world is so fucked up that Ive given up all hope about rights or wrong.Ive given up about fighting the "good" fight.Right or wrong is subjective and opinionated.Whatever you deem to be is techinically right and who am i to argue.

All I said and you can quote me was they have problems within their own borders (who doesnt really.) and they've sponsored or okayed mass murdering which you've aknowledge.No hate there.Id love to visit new york and watch a knicks game.Again its not the people's fault but the government...or those running the government so to say.

This is why I want to win the lottery and buy my own island.Build a restort and only allow 30% of tourists to be men.The rest of the 70% shall be women.Whose with me?

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by LaVecchiaSignora

Oh get off it...of course people dont like america...we are the best country in the world...no one likes the best...Do i condone mass murdering...no not at all...but get off it, this would is alot better place with america in it! Sinoy canada hides behind the USA..its comfortring to know your attached to the most powerful nation in the world...no one can attack you without the USA getting your back...its like calling some big guy a name because your with your even bigger friend and u know no one will hurt you when your with them...People only look at the bad shit in history...there were mass murders before America was founded and there will probobly be more in the future......you dont think their were mass murders in ancient rome? but you dont call out the italian goverment...probobly in the UK when they had their rule, but you dont call out the british...get off it!

This idea that Canada needs the Americans to defend them is fucking bullshit. It would be near impossible for any1 to conquer Canada given the size, geography and climate. Not to mention no1 would have a legitimate reason to attack Canada.


Strategically speaking, the U.S has been hiding behind Canada for decades. Without Canada, u would be vulnerable from an attack coming from the north and u wouldn't c it coming until it's to late because of not being able to have any early warning systems on Canadian land. Imagine having to fight the cold war with that limitation. It's different now because the technology has advanced, but NORAD wouldn't exist without Canada, an organization that plays a massive role in the defense of North America, never mind just the U.S.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Originally Posted by Jager

Says who? Why are you the best?

As opposed to Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and Canada? Or any other country. I have been to America many times, I don't rate it at all, to be honest. However interested in why you do?


And for the mass murder of 3500 prisoners of war, just typical of what really goes on behind the scenes. And now that the Americans cherry coat all their intrusions and acts of aggression around the globe, they will do more of it.

Name one other country that has a representation of citizen from just about EVERY other country in the world....If its not the best then why would people from all over the world come here to live out their dreams...

Also best in terms of quality of life, not necesarily the most beautiful place to leave...but it is great land..we have deserts and tropical places and temperate forests and all different types of climates...

But i was mainly refering to quality of life, and world power, and opportunities and freedoms given to its citizens...

Would if make you feel better if i say ONE OF?[/

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Originally Posted by azzurri

This idea that Canada needs the Americans to defend them is fucking bullshit. It would be near impossible for any1 to conquer Canada given the size, geography and climate. Not to mention no1 would have a legitimate reason to attack Canada.


Strategically speaking, the U.S has been hiding behind Canada for decades. Without Canada, u would be vulnerable from an attack coming from the north and u wouldn't c it coming until it's to late because of not being able to have any early warning systems on Canadian land. Imagine having to fight the cold war with that limitation. It's different now because the technology has advanced, but NORAD wouldn't exist without Canada, an organization that plays a massive role in the defense of North America, never mind just the U.S.

No way dude...the US is the most powerful country in the world...wether your like to admit it or not...Im not saying i agree with the goverment...I hate the government..I didnt vote for bush in the last election and ive been pissed off that his regime has been in power for the last 8 years...I count down the days until he gets his ass kicked out of office in january. You cant honestly believe though that the USA is hiding behind canada...canada has like no power and is a completely "neutral" country when it comes to war or anything. Even if US and Canada werent friendly and Canada let intruders in through the north...there is no way they could overtake the US...its forces are much to strong.


With great military power, and money comes responsibilities...the USA has to take care of alot of shit that they shouldnt deal with, and we get the negative publicity for it..

Again i hate the US government and war, but as a proud american i had to step in before this thread turned into a "american people suck thread"

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Not to mention hitler killed thousands of people, so does al queda, and other military/ terrorist throughout history, but the one that stands out is a "so called report that americans condoned mass mudering 58 years ago"?