U.S. diplomat: ‘Korea has come a long way during the past 10-20 years’


The Patrick Linehan and Emerson Kanegusuke’s four-year journey in Korea is coming to an end and with it, memories they take with them forever.

As minister-counselor for public affairs, Linehan has been responsible for bringing relations to a warmer, friendlier level within all sectors of the relationship between Korea and the United States.

This was Linehan’s second posting in Korea; his first stint was from 1994-1999, when he worked as the embassy’s press secretary.

But when he came back in 2007 to take the helm as minister-counselor for public affairs, he came back with a family and plans to heighten the Korea-U.S. relationship.

His most amusing story during his time here is also a perfect example of how the relationship has flourished and grown through the years.

Linehan first came to Korea in 1993 while working on the Korea Desk at the State Department.

During a visit to Chonnam National University in Gwangju, Linehan noticed a big sign saying “Hate America Week” in Korean.

Linehan recounted his interaction with the dean of the university after seeing the sign, “I told him that it was a great honor to be here especially during Hate America Week. The dean answered: ‘You know you’re making progress, it used to be Hate America Month.’”

“If in 1993 we made progress and graduated from Hate America Month to Hate America Week, then where are we now?” he told The Korea Herald.

Linehan added that today, Korean students are studying in the United States at all levels, are applying for internships at the embassy and working for U.S. companies.

“So one of the reasons why I’ve enjoyed my contact with Korea over the years is that I believe the relationship has gotten better and better,” he said. “When you’re a diplomat, it’s nice to see tangible results from your efforts; my job in public affairs is to help people understand my country better and I can see the results.”

Linehan and Kanegusuke will soon be leaving, and in August, Linehan will become consul general in Osaka.

Kanegusuke is also leaving with more than he came to Korea with.

He completed his undergraduate degree in computer science and is now working on his master’s degree on cyber security.

To understand the country he has called home for four years, Kanegusuke also took courses on Korean culture, ancestral worship practices and the Korean War.

There are many proud moments for Linehan during his tenure.

For one, he created a students program titled the Embassy Youth Forum to great acclaim.

“We meet once a month and talk about politics, U.S.-Korea relations, societies in both countries,” he said. “So my fondest memory is engaging with university students.”

It is well-known that Korea is the most wired county in the world and Linehan took advantage of this by creating a blog, Facebook and Twitter account for Ambassador Kathleen Stephens.

Under Linehan, the embassy also released two books. One book showcased pictures taken by Stephens during her teaching days with the Peace Corps in the 1970s. Another book is a compilation of her blog entries in a hardcover edition titled, “Reflections of a U.S. Ambassador.”

“Also, the ambassador has done bicycle trips with university students during the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, exploring along the Nakdong River, the old Busan Perimeter and the battlefields of the war,” he said.

The trips were so successful that Stephens and the embassy are planning another such excursion.

Linehan was also proud to be part of the embassy’s first program on gay rights in 2010, in connection with U.S. President Barack Obama’s proclamation to make the month of June, Gay Pride Month.

“So Emerson and I are really happy to introduce a new discussion in Korea. Over 200 Koreans came for the discussion program with Hong Suk-chon and we presented him with an award signed by the ambassador called the U.S. Embassy Seoul Personal Courage Award for having the courage to standup for human rights,” he said.

Linehan and Kanegusuke met during the 2002 World Cup in Japan. From there, a relationship flourished and both were married in Ottawa in 2007 during Linehan’s posting in Canada before coming to Seoul.

They enjoyed their time in Korea so much that Linehan extended his stay for an additional year.

As an openly gay couple, Linehan and Kanegusuke explained that they never felt any discrimination while in Seoul.

“Consistently, in our time here, Koreans in all walks of life have been kind, accepting and understanding,” Linehan said. “So I’ve come to the conclusion to be yourself and people will accept you.”

Kanegusuke added, “Koreans are more prepared to accept the gay community than they know.”

Linehan has noticed that Korea has come a long way during the past 10-20 years over the issue.

“It was a nice surprise to us that they accepted us and we will miss that,” Linehan said.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)