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A Chosun-era Army flag taken by U.S. forces in 1871 during the disastrous Shinmiyangyo, or Korea Expedition, could be returned to Korea this year. The military expedition was a clumsy attempt by the U.S. to force diplomatic relations with the Chosun Dynasty, which after mutual misunderstanding escalated into a battle that claimed the lives of 350 Koreans. The flag, bearing the Chinese character for ¡°general,¡± was the banner of the Korean troop leader general Eo Jae-yeon, who died in the battle.
You Hong-june, the administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, said Sunday officials from his office visited the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis on April 25 and asked for the return of the flag. ¡°The museum¡¯s director rejected our request saying the U.S. Navy has taken about 350 flags as booty from wars and never returned a single one,¡± he said. ¡°He told the officials the return of a flag, as a symbol of victory, needs approval from Congress and the president's signature.¡±
However, the museum suggested a long-term loan of the flag to Korea provided it is preserved and displayed properly. The administration is examining where the flag should be exhibited, You added. According to the administration, it measures 4.5 m x 4.5 m and is on display rolled up at museum.
Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado on April 18 suggested swapping the flag for the USS Pueblo, a naval vessel captured by North Korea in 1968 and displayed there.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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