'Elimination of Hanahoe' YS Underrated Theory... Positive Evaluation Ranked 4th, 1st Place Is

Korea Gallup 'Evaluation of Past Presidents' Achievements and Failures'
'Seoul Spring' Success Highlights 'Hanahoe Purge' Again
Positive Ratings: Roh Moo-hyun, Kim Dae-jung, Park Chung-hee, YS in Order

The film 'Seoul Spring,' which depicts the events to prevent the military rebellion by the New Military Group that occurred in Seoul on December 12, 1979, has become a box office success, leading to renewed attention on the late former President Kim Young-sam, who disbanded the 'Hanahoe' that led the 12·12 military rebellion. In this survey, former President Kim Young-sam received a 40% positive rating.

the late former President Kim Young-sam

Hanahoe was a secret organization within the Republic of Korea Army, formed around Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo. It was secretly established by classmates and juniors from the 11th class of the Korea Military Academy (entered in 1951, commissioned in 1955). Originally started as a social club, this organization wielded tremendous influence within the army at the time. The Kim Young-sam administration, almost immediately after its inauguration, abruptly dismissed key Hanahoe executives from their posts, leading to the rapid dissolution of Hanahoe.

On the 1st, Gallup Korea surveyed 1,009 voters aged 18 and over nationwide from November 28 to 30, asking whether they viewed former presidents Rhee Syngman, Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, and Moon Jae-in as having done many good things or many wrong things as presidents.

As a result, based on the response 'did many good things as president,' the rankings were ▲Roh Moo-hyun 70% ▲Kim Dae-jung 65% ▲Park Chung-hee 61% ▲Kim Young-sam 40% ▲Moon Jae-in 38%. Based on the response 'did many wrong things,' the rankings were ▲Chun Doo-hwan 71% ▲Park Geun-hye 66% ▲Lee Myung-bak 54% ▲Roh Tae-woo 49% ▲Moon Jae-in 46%.

In particular, with the success of the film 'Seoul Spring,' which depicts the events of the 12·12 coup, interest has focused on the late Chun Doo-hwan and former President Kim Young-sam.

Compared to a survey conducted eight years ago in August 2015, the positive evaluation of former President Kim Young-sam rose from 16% to 40%, reversing the positive and negative perceptions. This change appears to continue following the reappraisal of his life and achievements dedicated to democratization after his death in November of that year.

Regarding Chun Doo-hwan, 160 positive evaluators cited ▲economic policies/stabilization of economy and prices (25%) ▲eradication of criminals/social normalization (23%) ▲good living conditions (18%) ▲leadership/cabinet management (14%) as his good deeds.

Movie poster of 'Seoul-ui Bom'

On the other hand, 602 negative evaluators considered ▲suppression of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement (20%) ▲personal corruption/bribery/secret funds (20%) ▲dictatorship/coercion (17%) ▲coup/military regime (15%) as his wrongdoings.

For former President Kim Young-sam, 163 positive evaluators pointed to ▲real-name financial system (34%) ▲civilian government/civilianization (9%) ▲worked hard (9%) ▲eradication of military dictatorship (6%) as his achievements.

However, 420 negative evaluators cited ▲causing the IMF foreign exchange crisis (43%) ▲family/son corruption/bribery (12%) ▲incompetence/no notable achievements (6%) ▲collapse of the economy for common people and livelihoods as his wrongdoings.

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