"Was Hangil Teacher a Second-Timer?"... Hong Beom-do Caught in the Crossfire of 'Korean History Top Instructor' Debate

Korean History Instructor Jeon Han-gil Avoids Direct Answers to Student Questions
"Just Study the Facts... Political Conflicts Are Regrettable"
Netizens Criticize, "Are You Ignoring Even Historical Distortion?"

Jeon Han-gil, a well-known 'top instructor' in the field of Korean history, recently refrained from expressing a clear opinion on the controversy surrounding General Hong Beom-do, calling it a "political dispute," which has drawn criticism from some netizens.

On 'What do you think about the Hong Beom-do issue?'... Drawing a line as a "political dispute"

Korean history instructor Jeon Han-gil. [Image source: Screenshot from Mega Gongmuwon website]

On the 3rd, an online community posted a Q&A between a student and Jeon Han-gil from his fan cafe titled 'Top Korean history instructor Jeon Han-gil's thoughts on the General Hong Beom-do issue.'

On the 31st of last month, student A asked Jeon, "I am curious about what you think regarding the currently controversial issue surrounding General Hong Beom-do."

Student A wrote, "When we learned from you, teacher Han-gil, we were told that General Hong Beom-do, along with General Kim Jwa-jin, made great achievements in the overseas independence movement in 1920," adding, "The current discussions are quite bewildering."

He further added, "As a history expert, I am curious about your thoughts. I am not trying to discuss political issues, but I want to ask if there is enough evidence for this to become an issue."

[Image source=Jeon Hangil fan cafe capture]

In response, Jeon said, "Regarding the historical facts about General Hong Beom-do, we should only study the facts," adding, "Currently, the evaluations are being claimed with political standards, focusing on what the ruling party, opposition party, Ministry of National Defense, and the Liberation Association each want to emphasize."

He described the recent issue as "a political dispute that has divided the people, which is very unfortunate," and stated that according to the fan cafe's rules, "matters related to politics and religion are value issues rather than factual issues, so since right and wrong differ by individual, they are taboo," thus drawing a line as a political issue.

However, another student B commented on Jeon's remarks, saying, "I remember hearing your passionate historical evaluation of General Hong Beom-do in your lectures," and "I have thought that evaluation was very appropriate, and I was very happy when his remains were repatriated."

B added, "But it seems that you are confining the current situation to the framework of 'political strife,' which is currently popular in the ruling party, where the ruling and opposition parties are having a debate with very appropriate evidence," and criticized, "I think you should answer student A's question regardless of any criticism."

Though once a 'refreshing' voice on political issues... Criticized as 'lacking conscience'

The bust of the late General Hong Beom-do installed in front of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon, known as a 'refreshing instructor,' has voiced his opinions on political issues in the past. Regarding the 2020 conversion of irregular workers to regular positions at Incheon International Airport Corporation, he directly criticized the Moon Jae-in administration, saying, "XX, the president went to the airport and said, 'Convert (irregular workers) to regular workers.' This is like the actions of a wage earner in the old days. Does this make sense?"

He also commented on the 2021 appointment of Park Sung-min, former youth secretary of the Blue House under the Moon administration, saying, "I don't understand what big exam he passed or what great achievements he made to reach that position at such a young age."

On the other hand, he has remained silent on the recent situation where the Korea Military Academy decided to move the bust of General Hong Beom-do outside the academy, citing issues such as his Communist Party membership history, and the Ministry of National Defense's agreement with this decision, which has angered independence movement organizations.

Netizens criticized Jeon, saying, "Regardless of political orientation, to dismiss even historical distortion as political conflict is cowardly and lacks conscience." Some even questioned his political stance, saying, "Can someone who studied Korean history be a '2-jjik' (meaning voted for candidate number 2 in the presidential election)?"

Jeon is known as the most popular Korean history instructor for various civil service exams and the Korean History Proficiency Test. Last month, he appeared on a variety show and said, "This year, I paid 1.5 billion won in comprehensive income tax and 52 million won in national health insurance premiums."

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