By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Renowned independent fighter and leading politician Lyuh Woon-hyung (1886-1947) was killed by communist members, a professor asserted on Thursday.
Also known by his pen-name, Mongyang, Lyuh actively led independent movements during the Japanese colonial rules and was one of the leading figures who called for the unity of the right and left in the chaotic political situation after the liberation.
It is known that he was killed by ultra-nationalists because of his radical political stance. But Lee Jung-sik, a professor of University of Pennsylvania, argued that members of the South Korean Communist Party murdered him.
His assertion was introduced during a conference at the Seoul Museum of History, which was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of his death.
Lyuh was in discordance with South Korean Communist Party and the Soviet Union's military administration, which led to his tragic death, the professor argued.
Lyuh had 13 terror assaults from the left and right in two years before he was killed. As the academic circle has claimed that he was killed by members of the extreme rightist group, Baekguisa, Lee's claim has stirred up controversy.
But the argument was based on his research and the talk with Lyuh's daughter whom he met in Pyongyang in 1981 as she claimed that her father was assassinated by communist members, the professor said.
Titled ``Lyuh's Goal and Choice: Victim of Cold War,'' the conference was also followed by other academic reports by other speakers.
The conference was also joined by other special guests including former Prime Minister Lee Soo-sung and former Uri Party Chairman Chung Dong-young.
Prior to the conference, members of the Mongyang Memorial held a memorial service at Lyuh's grave in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, with the participation of 300 people including Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kim Jung-bok and former Prime Ministers Lee Soo-sung, Lee Hae-chang and Han Myeong-sook.