[Politics That Day] Honored with Fighter Jets, the 'Baekdusan Tiger'... The Return of the Independence Hero

August 15, 2021, Return of General Hong Beom-do's Remains
The President Personally Welcomes and Honors Him at the Airport
Known as the 'Baekdusan Tiger' for Suppressing the Japanese Army

Editor's Note‘Politics on That Day’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

On August 15, 2021, Liberation Day, the solo performance of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ by a military band vocalist was delivered at Seoul Airport. Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish folk song with the lyrics of the Korean national anthem attached. It was a song that students of Paejae Hakdang began to sing in chorus and was sung like a national anthem among independence activists.

The government gave a warm reception to the return of the ‘Baekdusan Tiger.’ General Hong Beom-do, who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Korean Independence Army, was known as the ‘Baekdusan Tiger’ in Jiandao and Primorsky Krai. To us, he was a national hero, and to Japan, a figure of terror.

The main figure of the anti-Japanese righteous army struggle returned to his homeland after 78 years as a remains. The government welcomed him with the highest possible honors. He entered Seoul Airport escorted by six of our Air Force fighter jets.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This was a gesture of respect to welcome the historical figure who devoted his life to the independence movement during the Japanese colonial era. At Seoul Airport, then-President Moon Jae-in personally came out to receive General Hong Beom-do’s remains.

The repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains was realized during the Moon Jae-in administration, but the efforts began during the Kim Young-sam administration. It was the result of the dedication and efforts of several governments. General Hong Beom-do’s hometown is Pyongyang, North Korea.

When attempting to repatriate General Hong Beom-do’s remains from Kazakhstan to South Korea, North Korea put up obstacles. Our government tried to change the course by persuading the Kazakh government. The repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains was one of the important issues at the Korea-Kazakhstan summit.

The Korean government’s efforts eventually succeeded. In 2021, General Hong Beom-do’s remains returned to the country through Seoul Airport. The honor guard of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces carried the remains upon arrival at Seoul Airport, and this scene was vividly conveyed to the media.

The remains of General Hong Beom-do, an independence activist who returned to his homeland after 78 years, were temporarily enshrined at the National Daejeon National Cemetery on the afternoon of August 15, 2021. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government held a national memorial service both online and offline over two days, August 16 and 17. An on-site memorial was also opened at the temporary resting place set up at Daejeon National Cemetery.

At the time, President Moon Jae-in said, “It is the duty and honor of the nation and future generations to welcome independence heroes back to their homeland, and we will do our best until the end.”

Two years later, the government’s attitude toward General Hong Beom-do has changed significantly.

The fact that he was an independence hero who stood against Japanese imperialism remains unchanged then and now. However, the situation changed as it got caught up in ideological turmoil. The bust of General Hong Beom-do, which was installed in the comprehensive lecture hall of the Korea Military Academy, is planned to be relocated to the outskirts. The relocation of the bust is a choice that inevitably invites various interpretations.

On August 16, 2021, a memorial banner for General Hong Beom-do was hung on the outer wall of the Government Seoul Office Building. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs posted the banner with the slogan "The Return of the General" to remember and honor General Hong Beom-do's remains together with the public. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Regarding the relocation of General Hong Beom-do’s bust, some lament, saying “A nation that forgets its history has no future,” while others argue that considering his past membership in the Communist Party, moving the bust outside the military academy is a natural decision.

There is also a view that if this was going to happen, it would have been better to leave General Hong Beom-do’s remains resting in Kazakhstan. Before the repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains, which was like a spiritual pillar for our compatriots in Kazakhstan, opinions were divided locally as well.

August 2023 and September 2023 are expected to be as etched in our history as August 2021.

It is a curious point how the independence activists who sacrificed their lives against Japanese imperialism would perceive today’s Republic of Korea if they were still alive.