KAC Condemns NBC Commentator’s Culturally Ignorant Remarks During 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Criticizes NBC’s Inadequate Apology

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Sophia Shin
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Los Angeles, CA - The Korean American Coalition of Los Angeles (KAC) condemns the culturally ignorant remarks made by NBC commentator Joshua Cooper Ramo during the opening ceremonies of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and criticizes NBC’s inadequate apology. Ramo said, “Now representing Japan, a country which occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945. But every Korean will tell you that Japan is a cultural and technological and economic example that has been so important to their own transformation.”

During Japan’s occupation of Korea, many atrocities were committed against the Korean people, from rape and forced labor to torture and death. Even today, the issue of “comfort women,” victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, remains a point of tension and controversy between Japan and Korea. Many Koreans also argue that Japan’s occupation involved human rights violations, exploitation of Korea’s resources, and attempts to replace Korea’s culture and heritage.

In NBC’s subsequent apology read live on NBCSN on Saturday morning, NBC said that they “understand the Korean people were insulted by these comments and we apologize.” The way in which this apology reads simply emphasizes the need for NBC to take cultural sensitivity more seriously.

For those interested, there is a petition demanding NBC’s public apology to the Korean people available online at https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/912/792/227/.​

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Educate | Embrace | Empower
Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities.

Media Coverage: Korea Daily, Koogle, MBC, KBS