"Moon Jae-in Lawyer Title Should Be Used Together..." Jisangwook Criticizes Veterans Affairs for 'Dr. Rhee Syngman' Expression

"Is It Part of the Effort to Undermine the History of the Free Democratic Republic of Korea?"

Photo by Jisangwook, captured from Yeouido Research Institute Director's Facebook.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] At the 55th anniversary event commemorating the death of former President Rhee Syngman, controversy arose when Park Sam-deuk, head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, referred to the former president not as "President" but as "Doctor." In response, Ji Sang-wook, head of the Yeouido Research Institute of the United Future Party, pointed out, "From now on, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs should use the titles 'President Moon Jae-in' and 'Lawyer Moon Jae-in' together."

On the afternoon of the 19th, Ji posted on his Facebook, saying, "The head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs used the title 'Doctor' throughout the eulogy, except when explaining the biography where the word 'President' was used."

He continued, "The official Facebook page of the Ministry also stated, 'Today is the 55th anniversary of the death of Doctor Rhee Syngman,' and 'The government awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Doctor Rhee Syngman in 1949,'" reiterating his criticism.

Ji argued, "'It is commonly acceptable to refer to the former president as both Doctor and President, so both titles were used,' they insisted," and criticized the Ministry's explanation as "truly petty beyond measure."

He added, "If the former president did not hold a doctoral degree, would they have referred to him as 'Mr. Rhee Syngman'?" and questioned, "Is this, following the attempt to award the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Patriot Kim Won-bong and the controversy over General Paik Sun-yup's burial at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, also part of an effort to undermine the proud history of the liberal democracy of the Republic of Korea?"

Earlier that morning, at the memorial ceremony held at Ewha Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Park referred to the former president exclusively as "Doctor" when mentioning his position. Some attendees protested, asking, "What do you mean by 'Doctor'?"

The memorial ceremony was attended by about 70 people, including the late president's adopted son Dr. Lee In-soo and his wife, as well as heads of independence movement organizations. From the United Future Party, lawmakers including floor leader Joo Ho-young, Kim Ki-hyun, Park Jin, Bae Jun-young, Bae Hyun-jin, Shin Won-sik, and Yoon Chang-hyun participated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.