Differences Exposed Between Han Duck-soo and Ministry of National Defense Over Renaming of Hong Beom-do Ship

Noh "Pushing through controversial issues without consensus"

Following the relocation of General Hong Beom-do's bust within the Korea Military Academy, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo mentioned the need to rename the Navy submarine 'Hong Beom-do Ham.' However, the Ministry of National Defense expressed a difference in stance, stating that it is not reviewing the name change.

On the 31st of last month, during the plenary session of the National Assembly's Budget and Accounts Committee, when Assemblyman Ki Dong-min of the Democratic Party asked about the possibility of changing the ship's name, Prime Minister Han said, "I think it is inappropriate to name a warship, which must fight against our main enemy, after a person who was a communist," adding, "I believe the name should be reconsidered."

Seoul Gyerye Hana officials hold a press conference on the afternoon of the 1st in front of the Independence Gate in Seoul, urging the withdrawal of the plan to remove the bust of General Hong Beom-do. 2023.9.1 [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Ministry of National Defense officials told reporters on the 1st that when asked whether they were reviewing the submarine's name change following the Prime Minister's remarks, "The Prime Minister was responding to a lawmaker's question and seemed to express the need for such (a name change), but as far as we know, the Navy is not reviewing changing the ship's name," they replied.

The official added, "(The Prime Minister's remarks) seem to be in line with the Ministry of National Defense's earlier position that they would review the matter if necessary," and regarding whether there was any separate directive from the Prime Minister's Office, they said, "There does not seem to be such an instruction."

Earlier, Jang Do-young, head of the Navy's Seoul Public Relations Team, also stated at the Ministry of National Defense's regular briefing on the 28th of last month, "Currently, the Navy is not reviewing the naming or renaming of the Hong Beom-do Ham." No further statements from the Navy have been made since Prime Minister Han's remarks.

Meanwhile, opposition parties strongly opposed Prime Minister Han's suggestion to change the ship's name. Assemblyman Ki Dong-min criticized, "Why are we trying to do something unprecedented worldwide? That is why even the Ministry of National Defense cannot say anything."

Assemblyman Ki also said, "There are differing opinions within the Ministry of National Defense, and the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office and the National Security Office each have different standards," criticizing, "I don't understand why such an ideological issue, which is highly controversial even in academia, is being pushed forward so forcefully without nationwide consensus."

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