How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions



Columns How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions Hong Beom-do, celebrated for fighting Japanese Empire, is now at center of South Korean debate over his communist ties Andrei Lankov September 29, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Korean guerilla leader Hong Beom-do \| Image: Wikimedia Commons (public domain) South Korean defense minister nominee Shin Won-shik faced a parliamentary grilling at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. But while lawmakers interrogated the retired lieutenant general over his past remarks and North Korea, a rather unusual topic took up an inordinate amount of the proceedings — Shin’s views on a long-dead communist guerilla fighter. Since early September, one of the most contentious issues in South Korean politics has been the decision to relocate a small bust of the guerilla leader Hong Beom-do from the Military Academy where it was installed in 2018. South Korean defense minister nominee Shin Won-shik faced a parliamentary grilling at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. But while lawmakers interrogated the retired lieutenant general over his past remarks and North Korea, a rather unusual topic took up an inordinate amount of the proceedings — Shin’s views on a long-dead communist guerilla fighter. Since early September, one of the most contentious issues in South Korean politics has been the decision to relocate a small bust of the guerilla leader Hong Beom-do from the Military Academy where it was installed in 2018. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Columns

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions

Hong Beom-do, celebrated for fighting Japanese Empire, is now at center of South Korean debate over his communist ties

Andrei Lankov September 29, 2023

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions

Korean guerilla leader Hong Beom-do | Image: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

South Korean defense minister nominee Shin Won-shik faced a parliamentary grilling at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. But while lawmakers interrogated the retired lieutenant general over his past remarks and North Korea, a rather unusual topic took up an inordinate amount of the proceedings — Shin’s views on a long-dead communist guerilla fighter.

Since early September, one of the most contentious issues in South Korean politics has been the decision to relocate a small bust of the guerilla leader Hong Beom-do from the Military Academy where it was installed in 2018.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting

Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.

Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

How a long-dead independence hero became embroiled in inter-Korean tensions

Try unlimited accessOnly $1 for four weeks

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Andrei Lankov

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –