[Opinion] The Umbrella of Defense Minister

“Look at our army. How brave they are!” A citizen watching the army’s downtown parade in Gwangwhamun, Seoul on October 1, exclaimed to his neighbor, “You said it. They are truly reliable.” The neighbor agreed with him. In the autumn rain, Korean armies have boasted their distinguished postures since long ago. Few were complaining about the traffic control. A loud applause burst out when home-manufactured missiles and state-of-the-art weapons passed by. Perhaps we might be fed up with those disordered demonstrators with headbands and slogans. Citizens might feel “relieved” at the sight of these brave soldiers marching in good order. It is a belief that our armies are protecting our country.

Prior to the downtown parade, a commemorative ceremony for Armed Forces’ Day took place in the morning in Sungnam-city, Gyeonggi Province, with a large participation of veterans. This is the first time that all generations of the military ranging from the soldiers on service to the war veterans and war disabled aged 70- 80 took part in a march together. And that was an event specially planned in honor of the men of merit. However, the veterans didn’t seem to be content at the end of the ceremony. During a formal military inspection, Defense Ministry Cho Young-gil held an umbrella for President Roh Moo-hyun the entire time. A reserve officer spoke ‘comforting words’ to Defense Ministry when shaking hands with him after the ceremony, “You must feel your arm is benumb.”

There could be no cross-questions on the event that Defense Ministry held the umbrella for the President, who also represents a supreme commander of the army. Nevertheless, this is the 55th anniversary of Korean Army. In order to celebrate the army’s birthday, not only the armies on service but also the war veterans got wet and participated in the ceremony. Definitely, it seemed quite weird to look at the actual military leader, the Defense Minister, holding an umbrella on such a special day. What if the ‘young’ president refused to stay dry under the umbrella, getting wet just like the other soldiers? In that case, the ceremony would be more remarkable, and the President’s care for the army might seem better and thoughtful..

Chungwadae said to the press yesterday, “It may be complicated if the President gets wet and caught a cold.” This is not wrong in its’ meaning. However, there is something lacking. If it was impossible to wear a raincoat and hat which Defense Ministry previously prepared for the President, couldn’t a bodyguard hold the umbrella instead? In this regard, ‘the umbrella case’ revealed an inflexibility of protocol and clumsy system operation in which the Government used to insist. Anyways, I am sort of anxious about the behavior of foreign defense ministers if they look down upon our “Umbrella holding” Minister.

Song Mun-hong, Editorial Writer, songmh@donga.com