Kim Bo-rae of the Rhee Syng-man Founding President Commemorative Association speaks about the Rhee Syng-man statue in a recent interview with . On the right is the statue of Founding President Rhee Syng-man that was on the Inha University campus. [Photo courtesy of Inha University] 

Do you know the founding day of the Republic of Korea? The official founding day of the Republic of Korea is August 15, 1948. This August 15th marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day and the 77th anniversary of Foundation Day. 

There was a history of fierce struggle leading to the establishment of the Republic of Korea. And there was the unwavering will of Founding President Rhee Syng-man. 

Recently, as a movement to 'Erect a Rhee Syng-man Statue' is gaining momentum, centering around Incheon, I met with Kim Bo-rae (Inha University graduate, 2019) from the Rhee Syng-man Founding President Commemorative Association.

Regarding her reason for participating in the 'Erect a Rhee Syng-man Statue' movement, Bo-rae stated, "I wanted to restore the rightful position of Founding President Rhee Syng-man, who founded the Republic of Korea and is the founder of my alma mater, Inha University."

"George Washington, the founding president of the United States, has statues erected in various places, including the Rotunda Hall of the Virginia State Capitol, the campus of George Washington University, and Wall Street in New York. Moreover, in the United States, they honor Founding President Washington through the names of their capital city, currency designs, and university names."

Bo-rae lamented the reality of being so keen on erasing Rhee Syng-man, rather than honoring the founding president as the United States does.

"When I was a student, I felt proud to attend Inha University. But when I visited the school after a long time after graduation, I overheard a current student complaining about the buildings being too old and the location being bad. So, I thought that if this student learned properly about President Rhee Syng-man, who founded the school, they might feel proud of attending Inha University. From that perspective, I felt the urgent need to erect a statue."

Inha University, an abbreviation of 'Incheon-Hawaii University', was founded with donations from Korean expatriates in Hawaii. 

Bo-rae expressed that many people have misconceptions about President Rhee Syng-man.

"During the March 15th election, Rhee Syng-man was the sole candidate. His rival, Cho Pyong-ok, died of illness, so Rhee was automatically elected as the sole candidate. He only resigned, taking responsibility for the fraudulent actions committed by Lee Ki-poong of the Liberal Party against Chang Myon of the Democratic Party in the vice presidential election. Setting aside these facts, politicians have unfairly framed him for fraudulent elections for many years."

She added that the defamation of Rhee Syng-man by conservatives and leftists alike, to assert their own legitimacy, has become entrenched and continues to this day.

Kim Bo-rae. "One of President Rhee Syng-man's many achievements that is not well-known is his contribution to women's rights. Thanks to President Rhee Syng-man, Korean women gained suffrage without shedding a drop of blood. At the time, women's status was at rock bottom, yet President Rhee boldly appointed women as ministers."

On August 15, 1948, President Rhee Syng-man appointed Im Yeong-shin, a woman, as the Minister of Commerce and Industry, the first in the Republic of Korea. Prior to this, President Rhee Syng-man led the anti-trusteeship movement (1945) and was instrumental in enacting the Land Reform Act (1945). The signing of the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty (1953) is also an indispensable achievement of his.

During the Korean War, when the Chinese intervention led to a stalemate, armistice talks began between UN forces and communist forces in the summer of 1951. Korea opposed the armistice, but President Rhee Syng-man demanded a ROK-US military alliance from the United States as a condition for the armistice. 

Ultimately, as he wished, the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty was signed, strengthening Korea's defense capabilities. A strong national defense became the foundation for Korea's economic development. The fact that the Republic of Korea has become so prosperous is due to President Rhee Syng-man's quick judgment and bold decisions. 

And in 1952, during the Korean War, Inha Institute of Technology was established at the initiative of President Rhee Syng-man. 

Bo-rae emphasized that erecting a Rhee Syng-man statue goes beyond political logic. 

"President Rhee Syng-man founded Inha University. Honoring a founder is something every school does and is natural. Initially, our university also had a Rhee Syng-man statue. However, one day in 1984, the statue suddenly disappeared from the Inha University campus."

Bo-rae was deeply shocked to hear that the statue was removed by activist groups. 

"It is rare in world history for a nation's founder to also establish a university. President Rhee Syng-man was an intellectual with a doctorate. Therefore, his philosophy on education was also unique. It is fortunate that voices are now being raised, centering around the Inha University Alumni Association and the Korean Veterans Association, to set the historical record straight. However, there are still those who oppose the erection of the Rhee Syng-man statue. These include the Inha University student council, progressive professors, and some local newspapers."

As voices calling for the erection of a statue arise between Inha University students and the alumni association, there are individuals who have offered to fund the statue's production. However, for this to become a movement, more participation is needed. This is a critical time for the mobilization of conservative youth. 

As citizens of the Republic of Korea, we should know why August 15th Liberation Day is commemorated. Who is it that brought us our current wealth and freedom? Bo-rae believes that restoring the rightful position of Founding President Rhee Syng-man begins with returning the statue to its rightful place. 

Lee Hyo-ju, Editor 

The statue of Founding President Rhee Syng-man, installed on the Inha University campus in 1984, is being removed. Provided by Inha University / Yonhap News.