New film champions ROK’s first president, and his hardline stance on North Korea



Analysis New film champions ROK’s first president, and his hardline stance on North Korea ‘Birth of Korea’ offers revisionist take of Rhee Syngman, winning conservative fans but misconstruing history Gabriela Bernal March 5, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON President Syngman Rhee and U.S. General Douglac MacArthur at an event to mark the establishment of the ROK government \| Image: Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall website A newly released South Korean documentary has put the spotlight back on the country’s first President Syngman Rhee — and on his hardline approach to North Korea still popular in conservative circles. “The Birth of Korea” (건국전쟁) recounts Rhee’s life story and his leadership during the Korean War, winning praise from politicians on the right for honoring what they say are his forgotten achievements. A newly released South Korean documentary has put the spotlight back on the country’s first President Syngman Rhee — and on his hardline approach to North Korea still popular in conservative circles. “The Birth of Korea” (건국전쟁) recounts Rhee’s life story and his leadership during the Korean War, winning praise from politicians on the right for honoring what they say are his forgotten achievements. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis 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

Analysis

New film champions ROK’s first president, and his hardline stance on North Korea

‘Birth of Korea’ offers revisionist take of Rhee Syngman, winning conservative fans but misconstruing history

Gabriela Bernal March 5, 2024

New film champions ROK’s first president, and his hardline stance on North Korea

President Syngman Rhee and U.S. General Douglac MacArthur at an event to mark the establishment of the ROK government | Image: Syngman Rhee Memorial Hall website

A newly released South Korean documentary has put the spotlight back on the country’s first President Syngman Rhee — and on his hardline approach to North Korea still popular in conservative circles.

“The Birth of Korea” (건국전쟁) recounts Rhee’s life story and his leadership during the Korean War, winning praise from politicians on the right for honoring what they say are his forgotten achievements.

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Gabriela Bernal

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