Seoul criticizes US Ambassador's 'Very Inappropriate' comments on N Korea tourism

Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to Seoul, has been the target of heavy criticism in South Korea for his recent comments on issues such as GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement, intelligence sharing pact with Japan) and the U.S.government's role in inter-Korean relations.

Harris made controversial comments related to the intelligence pact between the South Korean and Japanese governments, pressuring the South Korean government to keep the pact alive.Also, Harris recently said that the South Korean government must consult with the U.S. government when making decisions to push for individual tourism to North Korea.

These comments led a South Korean ruling party member to compare Harris to a Japanese colonial ruler in the early 20th century.He's even been criticised over his moustache, which protesters say is of a style that was popular with Japanese governors during the colonial era.

Yang Moo-jin, a North Korea and U.S expert based in Seoul said such criticisms are inappropriate because it is an attack against his ethnicity and heritage.However, Moo-jin also accused Harris'several mistakes as a diplomat.

"If such mistakes become more frequent the U.S government should take necessary actions because not only Harris' qualification as a diplomat but also the U.S diplomacy itself can be heavily criticzed," he added.

Image Credit: AP