ID :
26565
Sat, 10/25/2008 - 20:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/26565
The shortlink copeid
Chomsky lashes at Korean Defense Ministry's book ban
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- American linguist Noam Chomsky severely criticized
South Korea's Defense Ministry for imposing a ban on so-called "disturbing
books," including his own, saying the move violates the country's hard-won
democracy, according to a Web site.
The ministry would have to be renamed "the Ministry of Defense against Freedom
and Democracy," Chomsky said in an email to Playground for Disturbing Book
Readers (http://cafe.daum.net/bullnori), a Korean on-line community for opponents
of the book ban.
The Defense Ministry banned 23 "disturbing books" in July, accusing them of
disseminating pro-North Korea, anti-U.S. and anti-capitalist ideas and thus
harming soldiers' mentality.
Some law officers in the military filed a petition with the Constitutional Court,
arguing the ban breaches a soldier's basic human rights. The Defense Ministry
says, however, soldiers are often asked to give up their constitutional rights
under the nation's armed forces.
Asked by the Web community to comment, Chomsky, a renowned linguist and political
author critical of the U.S. pursuit of global capitalism, unleashed a biting
critique against the Korean ministry's book ban.
Two of Chomsky's books are included on the ministry's list. "Year 501: The
Conquest Continues" is an analysis of how the United States and major European
Powers came to dominate the world with free market doctrines, while "What Uncle
Sam Really Wants" looks into how the U.S. used its military power to gain global
dominance.
Chomsky says the move raises fears that the ministry might be trying to reverse
Korea's efforts to topple dictatorship and achieve democracy, a feat that
inspired people worldwide, according to the Korean translation of his response to
the book ban. The original statement was unavailable, and the site administer
could not be reached for comment.
Chomsky praised ongoing South Korean protests against the book ban, as well as a
recent surge in listed book sales, the Web site said.
The banned list also includes books by Chang Ha-joon, a Korean professor at
Britain's Cambridge University whose books, including "Bad Samaritans: Rich
Nations, Poor Policies and the Threat," have become bestsellers at home.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
South Korea's Defense Ministry for imposing a ban on so-called "disturbing
books," including his own, saying the move violates the country's hard-won
democracy, according to a Web site.
The ministry would have to be renamed "the Ministry of Defense against Freedom
and Democracy," Chomsky said in an email to Playground for Disturbing Book
Readers (http://cafe.daum.net/bullnori), a Korean on-line community for opponents
of the book ban.
The Defense Ministry banned 23 "disturbing books" in July, accusing them of
disseminating pro-North Korea, anti-U.S. and anti-capitalist ideas and thus
harming soldiers' mentality.
Some law officers in the military filed a petition with the Constitutional Court,
arguing the ban breaches a soldier's basic human rights. The Defense Ministry
says, however, soldiers are often asked to give up their constitutional rights
under the nation's armed forces.
Asked by the Web community to comment, Chomsky, a renowned linguist and political
author critical of the U.S. pursuit of global capitalism, unleashed a biting
critique against the Korean ministry's book ban.
Two of Chomsky's books are included on the ministry's list. "Year 501: The
Conquest Continues" is an analysis of how the United States and major European
Powers came to dominate the world with free market doctrines, while "What Uncle
Sam Really Wants" looks into how the U.S. used its military power to gain global
dominance.
Chomsky says the move raises fears that the ministry might be trying to reverse
Korea's efforts to topple dictatorship and achieve democracy, a feat that
inspired people worldwide, according to the Korean translation of his response to
the book ban. The original statement was unavailable, and the site administer
could not be reached for comment.
Chomsky praised ongoing South Korean protests against the book ban, as well as a
recent surge in listed book sales, the Web site said.
The banned list also includes books by Chang Ha-joon, a Korean professor at
Britain's Cambridge University whose books, including "Bad Samaritans: Rich
Nations, Poor Policies and the Threat," have become bestsellers at home.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
