Dismiss Trump's displeasure, US Embassy in Seoul removes the "black life is also precious" placard

According to Reuters, two people who are familiar with the issue say the large'black man's life' banner that was thrown outside the US Embassy in Seoul was dismissed Monday after President Donald Trump expressed displeasure. The placard was stepped in front of the mission building on Saturday, when the embassy tweeted on support for anti-racism campaigns across the United States and around the world about the killing of African American George Floyd at the Minneapolis Police Station last month.

"Trump, who responded to street protests by urging US authorities to crack down, was dissatisfied with this placard," the source said.

The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The placard was seen as unusual as Trump's appointment authority publicly supported the black movement. US Ambassador to Korea, Harry Harris, ordered the embassy to tape it.

Embassy spokesman William Coleman after the banner was demolished reiterated that "the reason why Harris put the placard was to deliver a message of solidarity to Americans who fear racial discrimination."

But he added, "The ambassador's intention was not to support or encourage donations to any particular organization."

"I ordered the demolition of the banners to avoid the false perception that US taxpayers' money is being used to benefit those groups," said Coleman. "It never diminishes the principles and ideals expressed by raising banners."

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that both President Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were displeased with the banner.

Harris, a naval veteran who started in Seoul in 2018, said he plans to leave his office this year.