Jayu (Freedom) Park

I went to the Jayu (Freedom) Park in Incheon, South Korea. This park displays a large statue of General MacArthur and an inscription that commemorates his successful Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation during the Korean War. This landing operation turned the Korean war in favor of the South Korean forces. Jayu Park uses the statue and inscription to show that they believe America values change, freedom, and goodness for the humankind.

As I arrived at Jayu Park, I predicted that the park would show that South Korea highly respects General MacArthur. I also predicted that the park would have many decorations to express South Korea’s respect for General MacArthur. Jayu Park has a large statue of General MacArthur decorated with flowers and an inscription.  This park holds General MacArthur and the U.S. forces as South Korea’s saviors. General MacArthur statue’s sheer size symbolizes South Korea’s immense gratitude for his landing operation. Adjacent to the statue is the inscription that provides details about MacArthur’s operation and lauds the U.S. forces’ valiant effort to “save” South Korea. The inscription states, “…turned the course of the war to the triumph of freedom and the salvation of this Republic…We shall never forget what he and his valiant officers and men of the United Nations Command did here for us and for freedom.” This inscription uses extremely positive words that lauds America’s bravery, ideal of freedom and change, and kindness towards South Korea. Without the U.S. forces’ help, South Korea would have lost this war and joined the North Korean communist regime. Today, South Koreans still hold the United States with the highest respect and view them as amiable and valiant. In contrast,  the United States both love and hate General MacArthur. Even after visiting this site, I still have some remaining questions. Since this site only tells one perspective of the Korean War, I still wonder if this site’s narrative of the Korean War is skewed or not. A nation’s emotions and bias may mold history into what it want to remember.  I also still do not understand how General MacArthur managed to land on Incheon because the numerous islands surrounding Incheon make it a difficult place to land on.