“Now is the time to see the U.S. as it is, beyond pro- and anti-Americanism” | Author Jeon Jin-woo calls for objective view of American role in Korea’s division and development, citing his novel on Capt. Hausman’s influence on military and politics. | Src: Hankyoreh (KR) (Translated from Korean title: “이제라도 친미-반미 벗어나 미국 있는 그대로 봐야” )

Author Jeon Jin-woo's new novel, "Applause and White Horse," delves into the often-overlooked influence of U.S. Army Captain James Hausman on modern Korean history. Hausman, who arrived in Korea in 1946, played a significant role in shaping the Korean military and was involved in suppressing key uprisings, including the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion and the Jeju 4.3 incident. Jeon uses Hausman as a symbolic figure to illustrate how the U.S. viewed and treated Korea as an occupied nation.

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I did not write this book to criticize James Hausman (1918-96). Captain Hausman, who came to Korea in 1946, played a very important role in a very urgent period before the outbreak of the Korean War. His military role as part of the U.S. occupation forces in Korea was to carry out his country's policies. Hausman is a symbolic figure showing how the U.S. viewed and treated Korea, a small country in Northeast Asia that it occupied.

The novel contrasts Hausman's actions with the life of Oh Cheon-su, a shaman from the southern region. Their stories intertwine, showing how Hausman's influence extended to supporting Park Chung-hee's rise to power, including helping to secure U.S. approval for the 1961 military coup. Hausman, who also served as the CIA chief in Korea, remained influential in the country for over three decades, impacting major historical events.

Jeon, a veteran journalist and activist, criticizes the division of Korea at the 38th parallel, questioning why the U.S. drew the line rather than treating Korea as a liberated nation. He believes this division, which will soon mark its 100th year, has fundamentally shaped Korean history. He advocates for a reassessment of the U.S. role in Korea, moving beyond the simplistic pro- or anti-American framework.

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My long-standing interest is why the U.S. drew the 38th parallel in Korea after liberation, not in defeated Japan. Why did the U.S. come to South Korea as an occupying force, not a liberating army, and divide the Korean Peninsula?

"The U.S. is still an important ally, but blindly following its lead is not true alliance," Jeon stated. He argues that the U.S. continues to prioritize its geopolitical interests, such as its anti-communist stance then and its current anti-China position, over Korea's well-being. This perspective, he suggests, led to the harsh suppression of civilian populations during events like the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion and Jeju 4.3.

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The U.S. is still an important ally, but blindly following its lead is not true alliance.

Jeon also expresses concern about the U.S. military's "flexible posture" in Korea, which he believes could drag the country into a conflict between the U.S. and China. He criticizes the lack of public discourse on these critical issues, urging media and intellectuals to challenge the U.S. and demand that their voices be heard. He believes that the fundamental dynamics of the "Hausman era" persist, with U.S. strategic interests dictating its relationship with South Korea.

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The U.S. prioritizes its geopolitical interests, such as being the frontline against China now, just as it was the frontline against communism after liberation.