After
receiving a taekwondo uniform from South Korean President
Lee
Myung-bak before their luncheon, President Obama shows a few
of
his moves. Most Koreans, however, got the feeling that Obama
was
too tired from his travels to meet the public.
Korea Times, South
Korea
Obama's 'Fatigue' While
in Seoul Disappoints South Koreans
"If Obama did
feel tired, it would be hard to blame him. … Although few said it aloud, some
Koreans felt sorry about not have a chance to get to know Obama better."
By Oh Young-jin
November19, 2009
South Korea - Korea Times - Original Article
(English)
"What's with him?"
That was the question some
Koreans asked after finding that U.S. President Barack Obama had decided minimize
his exposure to the public during his less than 24-hour visit to Korea, the
last leg of his long Asian journey.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Perhaps it was that strenuous
walk along the fortress of the Great Wall or his visit to the Forbidden City,
or perhaps it was that Chinese banquet that had a few too many items on its
multi-course menu. Or was he feeling homesick, having left behind his wife and
alter ego Michelle and his two adorable daughters?
There was no official
explanation about why Obama, the "young" 46-year president with the
athletic build from years of playing basketball, decided to hunker down in a U.S.
military base, scarcely allowing himself to be shown to the Korean public.
According to news reports, after
a few official functions upon arriving, Obama went straight to bed. And rather than
staying at a hotel or the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, which is the usual practice of
U.S. heads of state, the 44th U.S. president stayed at the American airbase in Osan.
Even during the motorcade to
and from Seoul for his summit with President Lee Myung-bak, it was hard for
anyone to welcome him. Although not unusual, most managers of tall buildings
located along the route of his motorcade were told to shut their windows for
security reasons.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
President
Obama hugs South Korea President Lee Myung-bak at
a
news conference at the presidential Blue House, Seoul, Nov. 19.
CLICK HERE OR CLICK PHOTO
TO WATCH VIDEO OF PRESS CONFERENCE
Behind the Samsung building
in downtown Seoul, there was a large contingent of special police ready to be
dispatched for any emergency.
Still, Korean government
officials tried their best to make Obama's visit look like business as usual. One
Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying, "President Obama must be
tired because of his prior engagements before arriving." But he seemed to
show his disappointment when he pointed out that it was unusual for Obama to opt
not to use Seoul Airport and instead land at Osan.
Seoul Airport, located inside
a South Korean Air Force base on the outskirts of Seoul, is the official
gateway for foreign dignitaries.
Obama had about 15 "free"
hours between his arrival in Korea and his meeting with President Lee in Cheong
Wa Dae [the Blue House].
If Obama did feel tired, it
would be hard to blame him.
He first visited Japan and then
hopped to Singapore for the APEC Summit before traveling to China. There, he
had a series of meetings with top Chinese officials, including President Hu
Jintao. He also spoke to a selected group of Chinese students in Shanghai, which
wasn't broadcast across the country. During his China stay, he also experienced
what some view as a shift from an aging power to a new one.
Although few said it aloud, some
Koreans felt sorry about not have a chance to get to know Obama better. Perhaps,
next time.
foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US November 20, 4:27am]
