A protestor stages a solo rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on July 11, 2022, to express her objection to the assignment of new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg, claiming the envoy is homosexual. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 14 (Korea Bizwire) — A banner has been placed in front of the U.S. embassy building to protest the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg’s gender orientation.
The banner contains expressions written both in Korean and English that slander the new ambassador, but is has yet to be taken down.
The banner was set up by right-wing extremists in front of the U.S. embassy building in Seoul’s Jongno District. “We oppose U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg, a homosexual, coming to South Korea,” it said.
It also demands that the U.S. immediately retract Goldberg’s position as ambassador to South Korea.
The opposition based on the ambassador’s gender orientation, rather than his capabilities, is raising public concern.
Goldberg, a veteran diplomat, previously served as ambassador to Colombia after working as a coordinator for implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea from 2009-10.
Neglecting such a case of hatred toward the U.S. ambassador could cause an international dispute, some say.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
