It has been confirmed that U.S. Representative Young Kim (R-CA) and several other members of Congress have launched an effort to advocate for the release of Morse Tan, former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice.
On the afternoon of the 19th (local time), Rep. Kim announced via X (formerly Twitter) that a group of Republican members of Congress had sent a letter to Cho Hyun-dong, the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S., urging that Tan be allowed to return home.
While various media outlets and organizations have previously reported on Ambassador Tan’s situation, this is the first time the issue has been officially raised within the U.S. Congress.
Rep. Kim stated, "I am deeply concerned about the South Korean government’s ongoing travel ban on former Ambassador Morse Tan, and I urge them to release him. The U.S.-ROK relationship is built on over 70 years of mutual trust and respect, and we must not allow this issue to overshadow our unwavering alliance."
The letter, dated the 13th, was signed by Rep. Kim as well as Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX).
In the letter, the representatives noted that they had met with Ambassador Tan during a congressional delegation visit to South Korea last July. They stated that the South Korean government's travel ban on him "raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and due process," and "respectfully urge that the travel ban on Ambassador Tan be lifted so that he may return home."
The lawmakers expressed grave concern over the travel restrictions and insisted that the rights of U.S. citizens under the First Amendment of the Constitution must be respected.
Below is the full text of the letter sent by the Republican members of the House to Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong:
To: Cho Hyun-dong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States
We are writing on behalf of a U.S. citizen who is unable to return home. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing travel ban imposed by the Republic of Korea on Morse H. Tan, a U.S. citizen and former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice.
Ambassador Tan entered South Korea in late May as part of a private initiative to monitor the June general elections. Upon his arrival, Ambassador Tan was subjected to highly unjust treatment by the South Korean government due to statements he had made while in the United States. Ambassador Tan has been placed under a travel ban and was indicted last month on charges of defamation against the South Korean President. He is currently awaiting trial.
This treatment raises serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and due process. The case relates to statements Ambassador Tan made in his private capacity as a U.S. citizen while residing in the United States. The rights of Mr. Tan as a U.S. citizen under the First Amendment of the Constitution must be respected.
The U.S.-ROK alliance goes far beyond protecting security on the Korean Peninsula and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific. We share a commitment to representative democracy, individual liberty, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. This treatment of Mr. Tan, a U.S. citizen and public official, could impact the perception of how faithfully South Korea adheres to these shared values.
A congressional delegation met with Ambassador Tan last month and was pleased to find him in good health and high spirits. We respectfully urge the South Korean government to lift the travel ban on Ambassador Tan so that he may return home.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Young Kim, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast, Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael Cloud, Member of Congress Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission |
U.S. NNP = Representative Journalist Hong Sung-goo / Special Dispatch NNP info@newsandpost.com
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