Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Relief Committee, expressed his strong opposition to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ initiative to construct a memorial hall for President Syngman Rhee. In a statement released during the ‘Korean Identity Announcement Ceremony’, Chairman Lee emphasized that the establishment of the Republic of Korea dates back to 1919, with the Korean Empire ending and the Republic demanding its identity through the Declaration of Independence on March 1st of that year.
This statement can be seen as a direct criticism of those who argue that the establishment of the South Korean government in 1948 should be considered the establishment of the Republic of Korea. Chairman Lee emphasized that the Korean Empire already existed at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and with the establishment of the Provisional Government on April 11, 1919, it evolved into a democratic republic. He highlighted that the Government’s Official Gazette No. 1 marked ’30 years of the Republic of Korea’, emphasizing that this year is the 105th year of the Republic of Korea.
Chairman Lee pointed out that considering the Republic of Korea as established in 1948 would discredit the anti-Japanese independence movement and undermine the legitimacy of South Korea. Regarding the Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall, led by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Chairman Lee firmly stated that the Relief Committee would oppose its construction. While acknowledging President Syngman Rhee’s commendable achievements, Chairman Lee voiced his opposition to the memorial hall if it serves purposes beyond honoring the President.
According to Chairman Lee, the establishment of the Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall would undermine President Syngman Rhee’s reputation and wrongly portray him as a dictatorial figure. The Relief Committee, as the nation’s highest elders organization, cannot forget the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement and opposes any attempts to distort the continuity of history.
In commemoration of the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day, the Liberation Society plans to organize various events, including the ‘Korean Identity Announcement Ceremony’, memorial lectures, performances, and a debate on Korean identity.
Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Relief Committee. random news
On the 1st, Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the National Liberation Society, confirmed his firm opposition to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ campaign to build a memorial hall for President Syngman Rhee.
Chairman Lee Jong-chan made this announcement through the unusually pre-distributed ‘Korean Identity Announcement Ceremony’ (3rd).
Chairman Lee said that the first year of the Republic of Korea was 1919, and the Korean Empire ended with the Declaration of Independence on March 1 in 1919, resulting in the Republic of Korea demanding an identity.
This is interpreted as a direct criticism of the debate over the ‘National Foundation Day’ by some figures of the New South in the past, saying that the establishment of one government in South Korea in 1948 should be considered as the establishment of the Republic of Korea.
According to Chairman Lee, the Korean Empire already existed at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and with the establishment of the Provisional Government on April 11, 1919, it developed into a democratic republic.
He mentioned that the Government’s Official Gazette No. 1 marked ’30 years of the Republic of Korea’ and repeatedly emphasized that this year is the 105th year of the Republic of Korea.
He pointed out, “If the Republic of Korea was established in 1948, it would be the result of suddenly falling from the sky one day.”
Then, he said, “This kind of forced history deliberately denies and disparages the anti-Japanese independence movement, and seems to be intended to shake the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea.”
Regarding the promotion of the Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall, which is especially led by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Chairman Lee said in a strong tone, “If such a monster memorial hall is built, our Relief Society will oppose it .”
He said that parts of President Syngman Rhee’s achievements are highly commendable, and in that respect, he is not opposed to erecting the memorial hall, but he has no choice but to oppose it if it has more nefarious purposes than that.
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He said, “The establishment of the Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall is a catalyst to undo President Syngman Rhee again, driving him to be a ‘founding president’ and a ‘president not unlike a dictatorial king’.” “We cannot agree with this,” he said.
Chairman Lee said, “(The National Relief Society) is the nation’s highest elders organization, but we cannot become blind in forgetting the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement.” As the continuity of history is shattered and arrogantly replaced with ‘Rhee Syngman’s theory of the founding of a nation’,” he reiterated that “we oppose this.”
On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day, the Liberation Society plans to hold various events such as the ‘Korean Identity Announcement Ceremony’, memorial lectures and performances on the 3rd, and the ‘Great Korean Identity Debate’ on the 10th.
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