[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Military's 'Eye-Game' Amid Public Backlash Over Bust Relocation

General Hong Beom-do Bust Relocation Only Confirmed
Blue House: "Ministry of National Defense and Korea Military Academy," Ministry of National Defense: "Korea Military Academy" Avoiding Responsibility

The Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Military Academy have stepped back amid strong public opposition to the relocation of busts of five independence and liberation army heroes. Initially planning to move all five busts, they have shifted to a stance of observing public opinion a bit longer.

A Ministry of National Defense official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 29th, “The Korea Military Academy has settled on moving only the bust of General Hong Beom-do among the five busts located in front of Chungmugwan, the cadet education facility,” adding, “The Ministry of National Defense will decide on the relocation of General Hong’s bust within the ministry building after monitoring public opinion further.”

Currently, busts of Generals Hong Beom-do, Kim Jwa-jin, Ji Cheong-cheon, Lee Beom-seok, and Lee Hoe-young, the founder of the Shinheung Military Academy, are installed in front of Chungmugwan at the Korea Military Academy. The Ministry of National Defense recently announced its intention to relocate these busts, which sparked political controversy. President Yoon Suk-yeol fiercely criticized the “blind followers of communist totalitarianism” in his Liberation Day speech, which gave momentum to the relocation plan. The Korea Military Academy also requested cooperation from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Independence Hall of Korea, which represent commemorative work for independence activists, and discussions were held.

However, the atmosphere changed after Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Liberation Association and grandson of Lee Hoe-young, and Kim Eul-dong, former National Assembly member and granddaughter of General Kim Jwa-jin, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 26th, criticizing it as “a very serious and grave issue attempting to overturn the history of the independence war, the origin of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.” The Korea Military Academy Alumni Association also sent a statement to the Ministry of National Defense press corps on the 29th, saying, “The placement of sculptures of figures with conflicting historical evaluations should be handled with caution,” and “Cadets should not be left to salute such busts.”

As public opinion worsened, the Presidential Office has avoided comment, stating, “The Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Military Academy will carefully review and decide.” The Ministry of National Defense is also reportedly internally organizing its position, saying it will observe the Korea Military Academy’s decision and then decide on the relocation of busts within the ministry. The Korea Military Academy’s stance is that relocating the busts is part of on-campus maintenance projects, so there is no need to make an immediate decision. A military official said, “In a situation where neither the Presidential Office nor the Ministry of National Defense can make a decision, would the Korea Military Academy decide first?” adding, “They will postpone the decision on relocation, citing the reason that the on-campus maintenance project will be decided all at once.”