Flag currently kept in U.S. museum
"We want the flag back that was looted by the U.S."The city council of Incheon adopted a resolution on May 28, calling for the return of a general’s flag, Jangsu flag, looted by the U.S. military when it invaded the western area of the Korean Peninsula in 1871 to attempt to coerce a trade deal with the Joseon Dynasty. The U.S. military was armed with five warships and 1,200 soldiers and was aimed at opening a Korea intent on keeping its closed-door policy. Fought on Ganghwa Island, the entire battle - called Shinmiyangyo in Korean - lasted 15 minutes, with three U.S. soldiers and 350 Korean soldiers killed, the disparity largely due to the Koreans being overwhelmed by the U.S. troops’ superior firepower.On the 4.5 meter-by-4.5-meter flag is written the Chinese character su, representing the general or commander.Ganghwa Island, which is part of Incheon, is at the mouth of the Han River, through which ships can travel to Seoul. Thus, many foreign ships at that time tried to pass by Ganghwa Island to the river, so the Joseon kingdom set up defense forces there to fend off such advances.In 1866, five years before the U.S. attack, the French navy also attacked the island and looted the royal library there. In 1875, Japan, which was the first country in Northeast Asia to move toward Westernization, followed suit and exchanged fire with Joseon’s defense forces there; a year later, it reached a trade agreement with Joseon."During the invasion, Joseon was absolutely overpowered by the U.S. military, and 350 Joseon soldiers fought to their deaths," Yoo Cheon-ho, a city council member, said. "The U.S. military took 50 flags, including the Jangsu flag, as well as 481 artillery pieces back to their home country as loot. They are currently kept in the U.S. naval museum in Annapolis."The Jangsu flag stands out among the 50 flags taken because it was the one carried by the Korean general who led the troops in an attempt to defend Joseon. The South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration recently learned of the location of the long-lost flag and has been exploring ways to get it back, but the museum officials have reportedly said such a move requires U.S. government approval. Last month, a U.S. senator proposed exchanging the flag for U.S. spy ship Pueblo, seized by North Korea in 1968.Incheon city council members said in the resolution that the flag should be returned for the sake of those who lost their lives fighting, even with inferior firepower, to defend their country.The city council also decided to set up a committee in charge of a nationwide campaign to return the flag.Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
