James Laney: The man who saw the bridge built
James T. Laney, the U.S. ambassador to Korea during President Bill Clinton’s first term, is widely credited with helping prevent war during the 1994 North Korean nuclear crisis by giving strong advice to Washington and suggesting to former President Jimmy Carter that he go to Pyongyang and meet personally with Kim Il Sung. Laney died in August at the age of 98. Luckily for us, before he died, he…
James T. Laney, once the U.S. ambassador to Korea under President Bill Clinton's first administration, played a crucial role in averting a potential war during the 1994 nuclear crisis. He advised Washington on the matter and recommended former President Jimmy Carter to visit Pyongyang and meet with Kim Il Sung. Laney passed away in August at the age of 98.
However, before his demise, he shared his insights from nearly eight decades of devoted friendship with Korea. In March, Laney received the "Building Bridges Award" from the Pacific Century Institute in Los Angeles. He shared his perspective on the transformative two-way bridge that Koreans and Americans constructed over the years.
Laney's ambassadorship was his third extended stay in Korea. He arrived for the first time as a 19-year-old soldier in 1947, serving in counterintelligence alongside Korean comrades. He formed a deep admiration for the resilience and intelligence of a nation striving to rebuild itself from the aftermath of colonialism and the communist threat.
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- James Laney: The man who saw the bridge built koreatimes.co.kr
