Tae Young-ho, People Power Party Lawmaker, CBS Radio Interview
"Hong Beom-do's 'Soviet Communist Party' Background Itself Is a Problem"
Regarding the controversy over the relocation of General Hong Beom-do's bust on the campus of the Korea Military Academy, Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, emphasized, "At first glance, it seems like a debate about whether to move General Hong Beom-do's bust or leave it as is, but fundamentally, it is an issue concerning the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces."
On the 5th, Tae appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and stated, "Originally, it was common knowledge in our country that the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces lie in the Liberation Army created by the Shanghai Provisional Government in September 1940," adding, "Former President Moon Jae-in shook this foundation."
Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 4th at the National Assembly regarding the relocation of General Hong Beom-do's bust at the Korea Military Academy. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
He said, "The expansion of the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in all directions happened during the Moon Jae-in administration," and explained, "Not only the independence army that existed long before the Liberation Army, but also figures like General Ji Cheong-cheon and General Lee Beom-seok from the Shanghai Provisional Government, as well as Kim Won-bong, and further, whether General Hong Beom-do should also be considered part of the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces?this issue of expanding the roots began to emerge."
Tae emphasized, "The issue of relocating General Hong Beom-do's bust should not be viewed in isolation but rather by connecting various circumstances and events that occurred before," adding, "For example, during the Moon Jae-in administration, the Korean War history was moved from a required subject to an elective course at the Korea Military Academy."
He continued, "Also, the concept of the main enemy (Jujeok) and various other related issues should be seen as interconnected."
Tae pointed out that regardless of General Hong’s actual ideology, his history of sympathizing with the Soviet Communist Party itself is problematic, as it could cause ideological confusion among cadets at the Korea Military Academy. He elaborated, "General Hong Beom-do’s military uniform is a Soviet military uniform," and questioned, "Can we enshrine a bust of General Hong Beom-do wearing a Soviet military uniform?"
Regarding his statement two years ago that "Kim Il-sung said General Hong Beom-do was not a communist," Tae clarified, "It is not that Kim Il-sung said he was not a communist, but rather that Kim Il-sung did not acknowledge Hong Beom-do as a communist and did not disclose this publicly."
Furthermore, Tae stated, "We do not deny General Hong Beom-do’s anti-Japanese achievements and merits," but added, "However, the current identity of our armed forces is to fight against North Korea with military power, and the question is whether we should enshrine someone whose identity and background are controversial in this context. That is the point of the debate."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
