Speaking Irony to Suspicion

Balbina Hwang
Not the sort to lose face . . .
Korea Herald

Sometimes, when the context doesn't require speaking truth to power, it might offer opportunity for speaking irony to suspicion, as Professor Balbina Hwang does with journalist Song Sang-ho in this Korea Herald interview, "Obama won't budge unless N.K. acts first" (January 11, 2012)

KH: How do you analyze the true intentions behind President Obama's recent reference to China as an "adversary" as well as a potential partner?

Hwang: Foreigners are often overly suspicious about "true intentions" or motives behind U.S. leaders. There is no hidden intention or meaning, other than exactly what President Obama stated: that on some issues, China is and should be a partner, but on many others, China is an adversary.

I like the implied retort: The hidden intention is the one hidden by suspicion of a hidden intention. Just take Obama's words at their face value, folks. In short, accept the obvious. I appreciate that Professor Hwang is the one explaining this to the Korea Herald, for having a Korean point it out raises the credibility among Koreans.

Or maybe not. Koreans might suspect Professor Hwang of trying to hide something, and therefore ask themselves, "What are her true intentions?"

Think of the Tablo case . . .