북미 대학교수들 240명 - 한국 상황에 대해 시국 선언

[국제적망신]

Statement from Professors in North America Concerned about Korean Democracy


10 June 2009


The following represents the considered view of professors at colleges and universities throughout North America whose thoughts are with Korea and Korea`s democracy. In light of recent developments in South Korea, we, the undersigned, cannot but express grave concern. Nurtured by the toils and sacrifice of many, democracy is a proud asset of the Korean people. The world has watched as the Korean people have moved deliberately, with determination and at human cost, from dictatorship toward democracy, over the last half a century. Regrettably, since the inauguration of the President Lee Myung-bak administration, Korean democracy has lost its way.


A democracy must not only allow the people to select their own representatives through votes but also guarantee the freedoms of assembly and association in order that they can express diverse political opinions. We have observed how the power of the state suppressed last year`s "candlelight vigils," has issued subpoenas even to ordinary citizens who had participated in the protests, and is restricting the lively online exchange of ideas. The recent police blockade of Seoul Square is an egregious example of the government denying its people a fundamental democratic right, the freedom to assemble.


A democracy acquires a capacity for self-regulation through the free press. We note with distress that the Public Prosecutor`s Office has questioned journalists critical of the government, and the replacement of major broadcasting networks` executives with pro-government figures has infringed upon the professional autonomy of rank-and-file reporters. A foundation stone of a democracy, the free and independent press has suffered serious damage.


The Constitution of the Republic of Korea enshrines a system of checks-and-balances among the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches of the government. We regretfully recognize and call attention to the fact that since its inauguration, the government has not upheld the principle of checks-and-balances. Moreover, such administrative organs as the Public Prosecutor`s Office, the police, and the National Tax Service that must remain politically neutral have exercised excessive state power in an arbitrary manner, weakening the legitimacy of democratic governance.


Speaking for North American professors interested in the' health and strength of democracy in Korea, we express deep concern over the regression of democracy in Korea. Heart-wrenching incidents such as the death of forced evictees during the police suppression of their protest, the suicide of special contract workers, and the shocking decision by the former president to end his own life are some of the tragic consequences of a democracy that is taking backward steps in Korea; they highlight a democracy in crisis.


A democratically elected government cannot disparage its own people, because the mandate to govern derives from the people. We, the undersigned, urge the government of President Lee Myung-bak to recognize its responsibility for the democracy that has regressed and reorient itself as a government that respects the people`s sovereignty and democratic rights. The democracy, the pride of Korea, must again find its direction and return to the natural path of serving the people



서명 교수 240명 명단


Jiyoung Ahn (New York University)

G. Aldo Antonelli (University of California, Davis)

Hyowon Ban (California State University, Long Beach)

Don Baker (University of British Columbia)

Edward J. Baker (Harvard University)

Eun-Ok Baek (California State University, San Bernardino)

Tae-Ung Baik (University of British Columbia)

Wontae Cha (New York Theological Seminary)

John Chaffee (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

Kyeong-Ok Chang (Kansas State University)

Daehwan Cho (Southern Arkansas University)

Dong-Ho Cho (Queens College City University of New York)

Hyunkag Cho (Michigan State University)

Junghoo Cho (University of California, Los Angeles)

Baek-Young Choi (University of Missouri, Kansas City)

Jinbong Choi (Texas State University, San Marcos)

Jong Choi (California State University, Bakersfield)

Kyeong-Hee Choi (University of Chicago)

Kyoung-Shin Choi (Purdue University)

Namkee G. Choi (University of Texas, Austin)

Woonsup Choi (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

Yoonsun Choi (University of Chicago)

Jennifer Jihye Chun (University of British Columbia)

Ock K Chun (University of Connecticut)

Sung-Chang Chun (Mercy College of Northwest Ohio)

Nogin Chung (Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania)

WonJoon Chung (Carleton University)

Yoo Sun Chung (George Mason University)

Marc T. Cryer (University of Alabama, Birmingham)

Minsun Doh (Western Illinois University)

Alexis Dudden (University of Connecticut)

John B. Duncan (University of California, Los Angeles)

Henry Em (New York University)

Norma Field (University of Chicago)

Christina Ghanbarpour (Chapman University)

Jaesook Gho (Liberty University)

Laam Hae (York University)

Hyeouk Chris Hahm (Boston University)

Jungpil Hahn(Purdue University)

Seonok Ham (University of Kentucky, Lexington)

Dennis Hart (University of Pittsburgh)

Martin Hart-Landsberg (Lewis and Clark College)

Todd A. Henry (Colorado State University)

David L. Howell (Princeton University)

Theodore Hughes (Columbia University)

Chang Huh (Niagara University)

Jung Won Hur (Auburn University)

Merose Hwang (University of Toronto)

Wonjae Hwang (University of Tennessee)

Eunsook Hyun (University of Massachusetts, Boston)

David E. James (University of Southern California)

Roger L. Janelli (Indiana University, Bloomington)

Gyoung Sun Jang (Clark University)

Ivan Jeliazkov (University of California, Irvine)

Gyung-Ho Jeong (Claremont Graduate University)

Kelly Y. Jeong (University of California, Riverside)

Tae-Hee Jo (Buffalo State College, State University of New York)

Hee-Jung Serenity Joo (University of Manitoba)

Myungkook Joo (Rutgers University)

Boochun Jung (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Changhoon Jung (Auburn University)

Kwanghee Jung (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey)

Taejin Jung (State University of New York, Oswego)

Wonho Jung (Washington Baptist University)

Woo Jung (California State University, Fullerton)

Jennifer Jung-Kim (University of California, Los Angeles)

Nick Kaldis (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

Seung Ihl Kam (Louisiana State University)

Heesam Kang (TUI University)

Hugh H.W. Kang (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Hye-ryoung Kang (University of Nevada, Reno)

Jinhee Kang (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Namsoon Kang (Texas Christian University)

Sinuk Kang (Westfield State College)

George Katsiaficas (Wentworth Institute of Technology)

Eyun-Jung Ki (University of Alabama)

Byoung Sug Kim (Roosevelt University)

Byungki Kim (University of Massachusetts, Lowell)

ChangHwan Kim (University of Kansas)

Charles Kim (University of Wisconsin, Madison)

Chigon Kim (Wright State University)

Dae-Kyoo Kim (Oakland University)

Daekyung Kim (Idaho State University)

Duk Kim (St. Ambrose University)

Dukhong Kim (Florida Atlantic University)

Eleana Kim (University of Rochester)

Hae-Young Kim (Duke University)

Heeman Kim (Kennesaw State University)

HeeMin Kim (Florida State University)

Henry Kim (Rancho Santiago Community College)

Hoi-eun Kim (Texas A&M University)

Hongkyung Kim (State University of New York, Stony Brook)

Hwansoo Kim (Duke University)

Hyojoung Kim (California State University, Los Angeles)

Hyunjin Kim (Oklahoma State University)

Hyun Ju Kim (University of Massachusetts, Lowell)

Ilpyong J. Kim (University of Connecticut, Storrs)

Janice C. H. Kim (York University)

Jang Hyun Kim (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Jeong-Nam Kim (Purdue University)

Jeounghee Kim (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey)

Jih-Un Kim (Webster University)

Jina E. Kim (Smith College)

Jinhee Kim (University of Maryland)

Jon-Lark Kim (University of Louisville)

Kyung Hyun Kim (University of California, Irvine)

Minjeong Kim (Colorado State University)

MinJeong Kim (University of Massachusetts, Lowell)

Nadia Y. Kim (Loyola Marymount University)

Samuel S. Kim (Columbia University)

Seong-Hee Kim (Western Michigan University)

Sun-Chul Kim (Columbia University)

Sung-Kun Kim (Baylor University)

Sungmoon Kim (University of Richmond)

Sun-Young Kim (Harvard University)

Su Yun Kim (Hamilton College)

Suzy Kim (Boston College)

Tae-Hyung Kim (Daemen College)

Thomas P. Kim (Scripps College)

Wooksoo Kim (University at Buffalo, State University of New York)

Yong-Lyun Kim (Empire State College, State University of New York)

Young-Han Kim (University of California, San Diego)

Youngjoo Kim (Oakland University)

Youngmi Kim (Jacksonville State University)

Yung Soo Kim (University of Kentucky)

Yunjeong Kim (Kansas State University)

Mikyong Kim-Goh (California State University, Fullerton)

Thomas R. Klassen (York University)

Hagen Koo (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Yong Ku (Johns Hopkins University)

Tae Yang Kwak (Ramapo College of New Jersey)

Kyong-Ah Kwon (Georgia State University)

Nayoung Aimee Kwon (Duke University)

Soonsik Kwon (Princeton University)

Thomas Lamarre (McGill University)

Bumsoo Lee (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

Cheol Lee (Wayne State University)

Cheol-Sung Lee (University of Chicago)

Dongwon Lee (Pennsylvania State University)

Eunjung Lee (University of Toronto)

Ha Youn Lee (University of Rochester)

Hak-Seon Lee (James Madison University)

Jin-kyung Lee (University of California, San Diego)

Jinsun Lee (Old Dominion University)

JongHwa Lee (Loyola Marymount University)

Jung Lee (Richard Stockton College of New Jersey)

Jungmin Lee (Florida International University)

K. Samuel Lee (Claremont School of Theology)

Kyoung H. Lee (University of Texas, Pan-American)

Namhee Lee (University of California, Los Angeles)

Sang-Hyop Lee (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Sangkwon Lee (Kent State University)

Seoki Lee (Temple University)

Seunghae Lee (Purdue University)

Sunghee Lee (University of California, Los Angeles)

WonSook Lee (University of Ottawa)

Yeon-Shim Lee (San Francisco State University)

Yeunjoo Lee (California State University, Bakersfield)

Yoonkyung Lee (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

Young-Jin Lee (University of Kansas)

Youngju Ryu (University of Michigan)

Young-Jun Lee (Harvard University)

Young-Sun Lee (Columbia University)

Han Lheem (Fayetteville State University)

Ramsay Liem (Boston College)

Chaeyoon Lim (University of Wisconsin, Madison)

Churlzu Lim (University of North Carolina, Charlotte)

Bokyung Min (Nova Southeastern University)

Pyong Gap Min (Queens College, City University of New York)

Byongook Moon (University of Texas, San Antonio)

Seungsook Moon (Vassar College)

Seungahn Nah (University of Kentucky)

Hwasook Nam (University of Washington)

Seongwoo Nam (Ringling College of Art and Design)

Siho Nam (University of North Florida)

Taehyun Nam (Salisbury University)

Yunju Nam (Washington University in Saint Louis)

Kyoungrae Oh (University of Dayton)

Ravi Palat (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

Albert L. Park (Claremont McKenna College)

Cheolwoo Park (University of Georgia)

Chiwook Park (Purdue University)

Do-Hwan Park (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)

Eugene Y. Park (University of California, Irvine)

Hyunjoon Park (University of Pennsylvania)

Hyun Ok Park (York University)

Jong Chool Park (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

Jong Hee Park (University of Chicago)

Jungkun Park (Purdue University)

Keun-Pyo Park (University of California, Riverside)

Nan Sook Park (University of Alabama)

So Yeon Park (University of Kansas)

Sung Bae Park (State University of New York, Stony Brook)

Sung Kyun Park (University of Michigan)

Sunyoung Park (University of Southern California)

Won-ho Park (University of Florida)

Youngrak Park (Columbus State University)

Samuel Perry (Brown University)

Michael J. Pettid (Binghamton University State University of New York)

Mooweon Rhee (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Michael Robinson (Indiana University)

Lawrence Rogers (University of Hawaii, Hilo)

Mahua Sarkar (Binghamton University, State University of New York)

Johnny Sarraf (Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma)

Wesley Sasaki-Uemura (University of Utah)

Andre Schmid (University of Toronto)

Gary Schneider (University of Texas, Pan American)

Bert M. Scruggs (University of California, Irvine)

Jungmin Seo (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Michael Sherraden (Washington University in St. Louis)

Jaesung Sim (Mansfield University)

Heeju Shin (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

Jiwon Shin (University of California, Berkeley)

Donghee Sinn (State University of New York, Albany)

Soong Nark Sohng (Clarion University of Pennsylvania)

Dorothy J. Solinger (University of California, Irvine)

DongHee Son (Texas A&M University)

Juyeon Son (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh)

Seung-Hee Son (Purdue University)

Soohyun P. Son (Mt. San Jacinto College)

Jesook Song (University of Toronto)

Joungmin Song (Marshall University)

Junho Song (University of Illinois)

Jae-Jung Suh (Johns Hopkins University)

Serk-Bae Suh (University of California, Irvine)

Seung Hye Suh (Scripps College, Claremont Colleges)

Ken Wells (University of California at Berkeley)

Hyeyoung Woo (Portland State University)

Eun-Ho Yeo (Plymouth State University)

Yoon Yeo (Purdue University)

Hyangsoon Yi (University of Georgia)

Sungwon Yim (New York University)

Theodore Yoo (University of Hawaii, Manoa)

Myung-Keun Yoon (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology)

So-Yeon Yoon (University of Missouri, Columbia)

Sung-Wook Yoon (California State University, Northridge)

Jong Soue You (Algoma University, Canada)

Jong-sung You (University of California, San Diego)

Jisun Yu (Concordia University)

ManSoo Yu (University of Missouri, Columbia)

[ㅠㅠ]

부끄러워 못 살겠습니다.
설치류 따위 지지하시는 분들, 제발 다시는 그런 실수를 하지 말아주세요.

[외국인들도 동참]

한국과 한국의 민주주의에 대해 숙고한 후의 성명 발표이며 한국민주주의는 많은 사람들의 노고와 희생으로 얻어진 한국인들의 자랑스런 자산이다, 애석하게도 이명박정부 취임후 한국의 민주주의는 그 길을 잃어버렸다. -첫째문단 주 내용

[낭만고양이]

어제 읽었어요. 전문번역된 것도 있더라구요.

아무리 생각해도, 노통이 실수한 것이 있어요(엉엉 ㅠㅠ). 탄핵후 총선몰이해줬을 때 민심을 이해 안해준 거 말이죠. "팍팍 밀어줄테니 싹 갈아달라" 이거였는데... 너무 어지셔서 ㅠㅠ

[외국인들도 동참]

한국계뿐만 아니라 아예 외국인들까지도 동참했다는 의미구요, 뭐 오해의 소지 있다니까 바꾸긴 했습니다

[노대통령]

힘으로 저들을 물리치긴 부족했지요.

탄핵후 총선몰이래봤자 한나라당 그때 지금 민주당 보다 많이 뽑혔잖아요..?

국민들이 변해야 합니다.ㅠㅜ

[똥관이가]

뭐라 할지..미국의 일부 교수들이라고 하겠지요

[똥관이는]

아예 발표 안할겁니다 ㅠㅠ 모르쇠~~~
낭만고양이님 전문번역본 어디서 보셨나요?
그거 같이 달아놓으면
좋을거 같아서요
제가 일일이 번역해서 올리기 버겁네요..국내파의 한계 ㅠㅠ

[낭만고양이]

한국의 민주주의 후퇴를 염려하는 북미 대학 교수 성명서
2009년 6월 10일
우리는 한국과 한국의 민주주의에 대해 늘 깊은 관심을 가지고 있는 학자로서 한국에서 벌어지는 최근의 상황에 대해 심각한 우려를 표명하지 않을 수 없습니다. 한국의 민주주의는 많은 사람들의 희생과 노력으로 만들어진 한국인의 자랑스러운 자산입니다. 지난 반세기 동안 어려운 과정을 거치면서도 전세계가 지켜보는 가운데 의미있는 발전을 해 왔습니다. 그러나 이런 한국의 민주주의가 현 정부가 들어선 이래 그 본연의 궤도를 벗어나 오히려 역행하는 사태가 잦아졌습니다.

민주주의는 국민이 투표를 통해 자신의 대표자를 선출하도록 할 뿐만 아니라, 다양한 정치적 의사 표현과 집회와 결사의 자유를 보장해야 합니다. 그러나 지난 해 '촛불집회'는 공권력으로 봉쇄되었고, 참가한 일반 시민들에게까지 소환장이 남발되었으며, 온라인상의 활발한 의견 교환에도 제약이 가해지고 있습니다. 최근 서울광장의 원천봉쇄는 민주적 기본권에 대한 억압이 어느 정도 심각한 수준인지를 보여 주는 극명한 예입니다.

민주주의는 자유로운 언론을 통해 자정 능력을 갖게 됩니다. 그러나 현 정부에 비판적인 언론인들이 검찰 조사를 받고, 주요 방송사 경영진이 친 정부 인사로 교체된 후 일선 기자의 자율권이 침해 당하고 있습니다. 이는 민주주의의 근간인 언론의 자유와 독립성에 대한 중대한 훼손입니다.

대한민국 헌법은 행정부, 입법부, 사법부가 상호 견제하고 균형을 취하도록 하고 있습니다. 그러나 현 정부 출범 이후 이러한 견제와 균형의 원칙이 지켜지지 못하고 있습니다. 특히 검찰, 경찰, 국세청과 같이 정치 중립적이어야 할 국가 기관이 과도한 공권력을 자의적으로 행사함으로써 스스로 민주주의의 정당성과 공정성을 약화시키고 있습니다.

우리는 본 성명서를 통해 한국의 민주주의가 뒷걸음질치는 오늘의 현실에 깊은 우려를 표명합니다. 철거민이 진압과정에서 참사하고, 특수고용직 노동자가 목숨을 끊으며, 전직 대통령마저 삶을 충격적으로 마감하는 가슴 아픈 일들이 벌어지고 있습니다. 이는 분명 민주주의의 퇴행이 가져오는 비극적 결과이며 민주주의의 위기를 나타내는 사건들 입니다.

민주적으로 선출된 정부는 국민을 비난할 수 없습니다. 정부의 권력은 국민으로부터 나오기 때문입니다. 우리는 현 정부가 지금 일어나고 있는 민주주의의 후퇴에 대해 책임을 통감하고 국민의 주권과 민주적 권리를 존중하는 정부로 방향을 전환할 것을 강력히 촉구합니다. 한국의 긍지인 민주주의는 다시 자기 본연의 방향과 궤도를 찾아 나아가야 합니다.

구해근(하와이대), 김희민(플로리다대), 서재정(존스홉킨스대) 교수 등 북미지역 대학 교수 240명


http://media.daum.net/society/others/view.html?cateid=1067&newsid=20090611114...

[마음...]

이 일이 어떻게 시작되었는지 아시면 더 놀랄겁니다.
시작은 미주 주부를 위한 한 사이트에서 시작이 되었고 100명 정도를 예상했던게 이렇게까지 된 것입니다.
해외에서도 현 정부에 대해 그리고 현 상황에 대해 어떤 시각을 갖고 있는지를 정권을 쥐고 있는 자들은 알아야 할 것입니다.
그들이 오도하고 있는 좌경 세력에 의한 것이 아니라 지극히 평범한 사람들의 목소리입니다.
교수들의 선언에 힘받고 자극받은 미주 한인들 사이에서 역시 시국 선언을 준비중에 있습니다.
이 역시 평범한 몇 사람이 주도하고 있는 일입니다.
시국 선언이 과연 얼마만큼의 영향을 미칠까 의아해 하면서도 미미하나마 내 조국의 민주주의를 지키기 위해 작은 힘을 보태고자 하는 노력이 아닐런지요.
정치와 무관하다고 생각하고 있던 많은 사람들이 좌파로 오해받아도 기꺼이 좌파라 불리기를 왜 주저하지 않고 있는지 과연 그들은 알까요...