Seoul has seen some small-scale protests.
The groundswell of public unrest in America over police violence has extended globally, with protests in solidarity happening in Australia, Japan and other nations. There was no immediate comment from Trump or Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the banner removal, but the embassy statement repeated a recent comment from Pompeo that “America is rightly outraged at the brutal killing of George Floyd and our country will prosecute his killers and respect the right to protest peacefully.” The Supreme Court on Monday backed workplace rights for gay, lesbian and transgender people, a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court.
There was no mention in the statement of the removal of the rainbow flag. The embassy said the removal in “no way lessens the principles and ideals expressed by raising the banner.” It said it “will look for other ways to convey fundamental American values in these times of difficulty at home.” To avoid the misperception that American taxpayer dollars were spent to benefit such organizations, he directed that the banner be removed.” “However, the Ambassador’s intent was not to support or encourage donations to any specific organization. Harris “wanted to highlight the enduring American values of racial equality, freedom of speech, and the right to peacefully protest,” the U.S. protests that began after Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis officer pressed his knee into his neck at length as he lay face down and handcuffed. Lee Tae-ho, an activist with the Seoul-based civic organization People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, called the abrupt banner removal regrettable, saying its presence was “a very positive thing that could improve the U.S. On Tuesday, a banner marking the upcoming 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was draped from the embassy. The banner was put up on Saturday with Ambassador Harry Harris tweeting that his embassy “stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change.” It will likely be controversial amid the ongoing global debate over racial inequality that has followed the death of George Floyd. The decision drew criticism from some activists in Seoul. The official explanation from the embassy, which didn't mention an LGBT pride flag that was also removed from the building, was that the Black Lives Matter banner was removed to avoid any perception that it was meant “to support or encourage donations to any specific organization.” Embassy building in South Korea's capital three days after it was raised there in solidarity with demonstrators protesting against racial inequality back home. SEOUL, South Korea - A large Black Lives Matter banner was quietly removed from the U.S.