Controversy erupts over honoring ex-President Syngman Rhee 's independence activities

Former President Rhee Syngman

A decision by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Monday, to pick former President Syngman Rhee as the independence fighter of January, is rekindling controversy over the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration’s push to honor historical figures selectively based on their ideologies.

The ministry said in a press release that it selected 38 figures as the independence fighters of 2024. It has been selecting a number of independence fighters every month to honor their services for the country’s independence movement during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.

The ministry explained Rhee served as the president of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai in 1919, and promoted Korea’s independence to U.S. officials and other global diplomatic corps as the leader of Korean representatives.

Despite his contributions to the country’s independence movement, Rhee’s recognition is triggering controversy because of his 1948-1960 dictatorship as South Korea’s first president and his hardline anti-communist views.

While being praised for laying the foundation for a free democracy in South Korea, Rhee was also accused of corruption, repression against his left-wing opponents and amendments to the Constitution to enable his dictatorship.

Rhee was ultimately forced out of office following a massive pro-democracy civil uprising touched off by public anger over election fraud in the March 1960 presidential vote. The protests culminated in the April 19 Revolution in 1960 that left hundreds of demonstrators killed or wounded in clashes with armed police.

Then-People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk Yeol burns incense at former President Syngman Rhee's tomb at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, Oct. 26, 2021. Joint Press Corps

Despite Rhee’s checkered political career, the Yoon administration has been making efforts to highlight the former president’s achievements. Last month, Yoon donated 5 million won ($3,682) for the construction of Rhee’s memorial, and former Veterans Minister Park Min-sik also pushed the memorial’s construction as one of the ministry’s main projects.

"It is true that former President Rhee engaged in independence movements during the Japanese colonial rule, but there are other historical evaluations over his dictatorship after becoming the president," said Rep. Park Sung-joon, a spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

Rhee’s recognition appears to be in line with ideological conflicts surrounding historical figures earlier this year.

In August, the defense ministry announced a plan to relocate a bust of independence fighter Hong Beom-do, which had been on display at the Korea Military Academy. The ministry acknowledged Hong’s contributions to the country’s independence, but decided to relocate the bust citing his affiliation with the Soviet Communist Party.