Ministry of National Defense: "Relocation of Independence Fighters' Statues like Hong Beom-do and Kim Jwa-jin Is Not Excluding the Roots of the ROK Army"

"Exclusion from the Military Roots? No"
"Controversies like Communist Party Membership"... Opposition Backlash

The Ministry of National Defense stated regarding the plan to relocate the busts of five heroes of the independence and liberation armies, including Generals Hong Beom-do and Kim Jwa-jin, within the Korea Military Academy, that "this does not in any way exclude the history of the independence and liberation armies from the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces."

On the 26th, the Ministry said, "We are considering relocating the monuments in front of Chungmugwan, a cadet education facility, to an optimal location that highlights the independence movement."

The Ministry of National Defense is currently consulting with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Independence Hall of Korea regarding the relocation of the busts.

The Ministry stated, "Only the busts of the independence and liberation armies, which are limited to a specific period in the overall history of overcoming national crises, are installed in front of the main entrance of the building where cadet students study daily, raising concerns about the appropriateness of the location and the balance of historical education."

It added, "Considering the identity of the Korea Military Academy, which is to train officers to protect liberal democracy and the Republic of Korea against the invasion of North Korea, a communist state, it was assessed as inappropriate to commemorate individuals with controversial backgrounds, such as membership and activities in the Soviet Communist Party, especially at the main entrance of the symbolic building for cadet education."

A bust of an independence war hero erected in front of Chungmugwan at the Korea Military Academy to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the March 1st Movement in 2018. [Photo source=Asia Economy DB]

This refers to the issue of General Hong Beom-do, who led the Battle of Bongodong, having joined the Soviet Communist Party in 1927.

Currently, busts of Generals Hong Beom-do, Kim Jwa-jin, Ji Cheong-cheon, Lee Beom-seok, and Lee Hoe-young, the founder of the Shinheung Military Academy, are installed in front of Chungmugwan at the Korea Military Academy, and their relocation to the Independence Hall of Korea is being considered.

These busts were made by melting rifle shell casings used by our military personnel to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the March 1st Movement in 2018.

The opposition parties and the Liberation Association are opposing the Ministry of National Defense's policy.

Kang Sun-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized on the same day, saying, "Are you now trying to erase even the history of the independence movement by framing independence heroes with communism?" and added, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration's low-level historical awareness is lamentable."

Representatives from the Memorial Associations for General Hong Beom-do, Woo Dang Lee Hoe-young, Shinheung Military Academy, and General Baekya Kim Jwa-jin held a press conference at the National Assembly the day before, criticizing, "Stop the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's attempt to erase the history of the independence war immediately."

The Liberation Association also issued a statement condemning, "The Ministry of National Defense's attempt to remove the busts of the five independence patriots without justifiable reason is nothing less than an attempt by the Japanese colonial regime to erase the national spirit," and said, "The independence patriots and their descendants cannot contain their anger."

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