Hwang Kyo-ahn "The Nation Took Shape in 1948"
Jin Joong-kwon "Constitutionally Succeeds the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea"
Former United Future Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn engaged in a verbal dispute with Jin Joong-kwon, a special professor at Kwangwoon University, over Hwang's praise of former President Syngman Rhee as the "founding president." Hwang argued that the Republic of Korea was founded in 1948 when the Syngman Rhee government was established, but Professor Jin pointed out that this is "historical revisionism."
Hwang, who serves as the chairman of the Syngman Rhee Founding President Memorial Project Association, appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Match" on the 28th and expressed his support for the recent announcement by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to build the "Syngman Rhee Presidential Memorial Hall," emphasizing that "(former President Syngman Rhee) is the president who established the Republic of Korea."
He said, "(Former President Rhee) really created a free democratic Republic of Korea in a very severe situation," adding, "Through that, he ultimately established a market economy and laid the foundation for the country's prosperity. More importantly, he played a significant role in leading to the Korea-US alliance through the signing of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty. He is fully deserving of respect."
Professor Jin agreed that the merits and faults of former President Rhee should be evaluated but warned that the claim that Rhee founded the Republic of Korea is a revisionist interpretation of history.
Professor Jin stated, "The idea that (former President Rhee) founded the Republic of Korea is historical revisionism that contradicts the official history," pointing out, "The preamble of the constitution includes the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, so the official historical view is that we established the government."
Former leader Hwang countered with the "1948 founding theory." He argued, "Whether the country was established is a matter of fact," and said, "A country must have territory, citizens, and a government. All of these were in place in 1948."
He continued, "If you speak with political logic, then the Republic of Korea has not even been established," adding, "Therefore, I believe it is appropriate to call Syngman Rhee the founding president, and we must also continue efforts to carry on the thoughts and ideology of founding president Syngman Rhee so that we can move forward as a complete Republic of Korea."
Professor Jin expressed concern, saying, "Because the founding issue already becomes an ideological debate, it could become an obstacle to establishing the memorial hall," but former leader Hwang insisted, "The formal government was created in 1948," and the two could not narrow their differences.
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