POST-COLD WAR Conservative Reappraisals of Syngman Rhee: Neoliberalism and the New Right  

WHY REAPPRAISALS HAPPENED? Answer is because of the politics wants to make relevant of historical and make bias by revisionism from villain to hero.  

Example another leader-figure in Asia such: In 1978, Ray Huang from Taiwan ally with Chinese soldier nationalist from Mainland.  

Politicians use Syngman Rhee’s case on nationalistic oriented and as news tactic. Syngman Rhee well known as Nation Founding: How we scholar to interpret what happened behind this message. 

The simplest way to look at the country is the money bank note. U.S. use Goerge Washington printed on 1USD, China use Mao Zhe Tong printed on 100 Yuan, Canada used John A. McDonald printed on the money note. What’s its meaning? Country use the important leaser-figure in everyday life to make nation pride of history. For South Korea, has used Yi Hwang Scholar, Yi, King Sejong and Sin Saadong, because the country’s mentality looks at the whole peninsula, the whole people at the same nation from history. To be say, they are in Korea Dynasty or to be specifically in Joseon Dynasty era. Why not the use the contemporary leader-figure instead? Because most of them are modern but controversial and likely politic way to present. South Korea believe that the whole peninsula even though divided but still “Ethnic Nationalism” and those people as mentioned earlier on the money note are symbol of unify role of Korea.  

On bias ideology of Syngman Rhee on the fact that he has achieved of anti-communism system. In 1960, April Revolution under dictatorship supported from U.S. Even though we can learn from Syngman Rhee achievement from following: “Nation Founding”, “Seeds of Capitalism” and “Alignment with U.S.”  

The video from National Museum Contemporary History has commemorate the first general election in 1948. While North Korea wants South Korea to revere responsible for separation of the nation. “Democracy” starts in 1948 even though the beginning of the period has imperfection but the mentality behind it is curable. The revolution of liberation is under serious violence. But Korea was  under Japan colonial from 1910 – 1945 and just liberated on August 15, 1945. The parallel 38 has  split by Soviet Union and U.S. on *August 9, 1945. Violence democracy defined from beginning of Korea Revolution.  

Korea peninsulas begin to form their country from independence, Committee Preparation Korea Government. But U.S. decided not to recognize the draft government and label as communist and want to restore “Japan police” and give speech that what Korea want the most right now is patience. 

Trusteeship Crisis – In 1945, Korea peninsula continue regime with two governments. One from North Korea and another one from South Korea leaded by Syngman Rhee. U.N. established for change colonial role ti independence and that’s the define of Trusteeship. At the Moscow conference has agreement on Trusteeship above Korea peninsula between Soviet Union and U.S.  But Korea has negative respond and resist on this trusteeship because inside the country, there is  false media saying that Soviet union policy against the U.S. when in fact U.S. and Soviet union has  agreed beforehand since Moscow conference but Korea media set the train of political conflicts by  using false media that U.S. didn’t agree on this but want the liberate to happen immediately. So, U.S. act impulsive and not go on with the plan. U.S. use this chance to collaborate and supported right 

wing when actually Soviet Union got support from U.S. as its proposal on trusteeship but appease automatically the met new comer. Using nationalism, transcending but because trusteeship so leader figure in Korea has changed category and refine right-wing to South Korea and left-wing to North Korea.  

The leader-figure in option are three main people:  

1. Kim Il Sung [1912 – 1994], who used to join the war in Manchuria and Russia so he bring the Russian troop to be country support and Soviet Union supported him as a recognize of the regime power. 

2. Cho Ma Sik [1983 – 1950], even though he’s left-wing but has expressed strongly against the Soviet Union policy.  

3. Park Meon Yeong, founder of Communist Party  

4. L.Y., Committee Founder Preparation of Korean Government, but later got assassinated in 1947. 

5. Kim Seong Su, Korea Chaebol founder during Japan-Colonial period, Donga Ilbo founder, Newspaper firm founder in 1920 and Korea University founder. He has recognized the top spot after liberation and become founder of Korean Democratic Party.  

6. Kim Ku, he was the provisional person and was good friend with Chong Qing and also working with Chinese nationalist. But strongly opposing the trusteeship. In 1948, he tried to make negotiation with North Korea aiming to unify the peninsula with peace but got assassinated.  

7. Sygnman Rhee, was also the leader of independence’s group under colonial period, fluent in English and have knowledge on political well. He also gave speech on June 1946 that his goal to “Established Government and Absorb the North” which make him became first completed liberation founded. On this action led him the original of division and his revolution perspective later in year 1999 recall as wise decision.  

South Korea has defending themself from North Korea and right-wing go along with the committee independence. The Korea Peninsula had separate state in term of DPK vs ROK with obvious pro left-wing vs pro-right-wing. From what Syngman Rhee’s wild decision is become the DNA of liberalism even though many has assumed that eventually South Korea will accept the Putin’s power.  

Syngman Rhee is founder of Liberal Democracy and vision country on Market Economy, even though Jeju rebellion doesn’t corporate on March 18, 1948. Jeju people want to have their own regime, so their people got killed by police on April 3, 1948, after the guerrilla war and have uprising. The beginning of South Korea democratic is filled with violence by right-wing. Yeosu suppress the Jeju, violence rebellion and 40,000 people was killed. Syngman Rhee think this imperfection can iron out by using National Security Law [NSC] in 1948 follow the U.S. advise and equipment. This is the dilemma when right-wing leader claim the democracy constitute for human right and liberty but in practical when they accused differential with communist and wiped them out and this cause high tension from the start. DNA of Syngman Rhee has designed or 무시하다  mostly ignored the people who struggled from democracy all that effort. The real democracy in South Korea start in 1979.  

The gray spot between Democratic vs Authorize regime was on and that’s when Political came in.  The economic under Syngman Rhee has growth from 1960 – 1968 for 50 times. Well known as miracle of the economic and he also lay the seed of the prosperity both Syngman Rhee and Park Chuang Hee. Syngman Rhee’s vision on faith and mentality on market economy that will lead to success of prosperity. In contract of The Joseon Dynasty failure between 1392 – 1910, why the whole peninsula was colonized by Japan, why Monarchy failed to modernization in 1910 – 1950. If we look at the geography map of the gangnido map, we will see the outstanding of Sino-centrism when China believe that they are the middle kingdom or the central of the world land and also the 

Confucianism that be the part of Chinese civilization. Yangban or scholar can again prestige and be an elite class if they have more knowledge and change their society class follow the China social system, while Japan will only secure class prestige in their own kind only, example Samurai class.  When the whole world is under the pro-realism during to 19^th century all over Africa and Asia region which motto of beginning the modernization. The opium war in 1839 or the century of humiliation between Britain and China that accused for abused free trade and use gun ship diplomacy at that time in Hong Kong, during 1856 – 1860, China must be defeated by Western Barbarian from try to overturning the western power. In 1852 – between U.S. and Japan that force to open country by The Black Ships. In 1866 – between French and Korea using the gunboat, accused that Korea has killed missionary, even though the confront Korea has won over the French marine and that’s the proof of successful of Joseon dynasty for over 500 years. In 1868 – Meiji restoration has used the economy cabinet to lead the country. In 1876, Japan open Korea. In 1884 “The Gapsin coup” was failures and young Korean radicals learn from Japan and want to be like western which to follow Japan. Syngman Rhee was born in 1875 while in 1894 Donghak peasant uprising cause dissatisfaction and poorly lead the country to first Sino-Japanese War. Japanese excuse to help Korea Royalty but aim to fight with China in Korea. In 1904, between Russo Japanese with claimed the purpose also only to help the royalty. In 1910 Japan has successful colonial Korea annexation has actively use, this say that Korea is the country that in the power game from World leader such: China, Russia, Japan and U.S. This shown that Korea Elite failure continuously from 1870 – 1910, Lew Young Hok quoted “We failed to properly prepare for a changing world.” The key important under the mentioned circumstance is “Not to Challenge The Power, but how to adaption?” And that’s make Syngman Rhee the elite worthy in 1948. If we look at his former education, in 1875 – he graduated from Munmyeong Gaehwa which boost study on civilization and enlightenment movement. As well as Paichai Academy by U.S. missionary and he also join the Independence club whereas Seo Jongpil or Philip Jason as his mentor. In the same timeline of world leader such Fukuzawa Yukimi from Japan and Liang Qi Chao from China.  Syngman Rhee has live his life in-style of the west to modernization and most importantly is he’s  christian. He also graduated bachelor’s degree at Harvard university in 1908 and master’s degree at Princeton university in 1910 where he met his good friend “Woodrow Wilson” the U.S. President.  Syngman Rhee is Christian and knows the value of market economy, his mentality is aligning with U.S. mentality. Syngman Rhee has reform of Education in 1949 that introduce mentality to people. Later on in 1960, people have enough education or has been resolver and got the competitive advantage. In 1950, reformed the land policy which is the biggest problems in Korea because of the monopoly system of land. The land’s owner are ally to Syngman Rhee because in 1948 Japanese used to owned land, the ownership was back to Korea just after the Korea War only. Syngman Rhee has land’s owner as main rival in 1950 to undermined base of power. Meanwhile during to war North Korea has put South Korea to Busan and try to extend land reform demanded. In 1953, Syngman Rhee policy on import at least as possible and protected economic from global meanwhile grow everything the people need and then after strong enough can compete with the world. Syngman Rhee recognition on successful of alignment with U.S. back in 1953 – when Republic of Korea (ROK) ally with U.S. and has mutual security treaty which the started point of the relation. Look at the example video on anniversary K-Mi (Korea & U.S.) relation in 2023 saying kitehara 70 nyeon,  that shows the relationship about supported of military, technology, history and tourism with the same chemistry.  

UNITED STATE ROLE IN EAST ASIA  

In 1823 Monroe Doctrine or Isolationism which mean originally, U.S. only focus inward and just look after themself as the myth because they don’t want to involve with European politics as Patric. Except when they want to support the Latin-American or Pacific region. In 1854 – U.S.  open Japan under treaty meanwhile Britain open China-Hong Kong. In 1866 – SS general Sherman French lose to North Korea known as victory of the repel ship. In 1882 – U.S. form varies treaty base on peace, amity, commerce and navigation with volunteering to participate. In 2023 President 

Yoon gave speech and U.S. congress about 140 years of solidate Korean constitution western. U.S.  overthrow Hawaiian Monarchy and ignored bias in 1893.  

• 1898 – Philippines Annexation  

• 1904 – Panama Canal over Pacific Ocean  

• 1905 – Japan & Russia Treaty Portsmouth [Taft – Katsura Memorandum] • 1913 – Wilsonian Internationalism [Post Erotism / Imperialism World] • 1944 – Bretton Woods, U.N., NATO, CIA. Massive increase of military budget as well as military-industrial complex.  

• 1945 – Thread of Empire. Britain loses the colonial country as same as Japan and Deutsch.  U.S. came in between to supported for region and try to rule international system.  

The reverse curse in Japan and U.S. [1946 – 1947] Trade & general strike bring back the elite class to regime the country. Like Kishi Nobusuke, Abe Shinzo, The LDP father, top level officer in old empire of Manchuria and North China even he was label as war criminal, but he becomes the first Prime Minister, and his grandson is the longest prime minster until Now.  

Taiwan – U.S. by President Truman lead by Chian Kao Shel that have the aircraft in country from U.S. and got intervene later by Mao Zhe Tong. Meanwhile North Korea got soviet aggression.  Vietnam support finance to France. Between 1945 – 1954 U.S. look after South Korea while left wing in 1882 aim to unify the peninsula, U.S. became the hub and speaker between all parties.  Using NATO for European as multilateral. And manage with bilateralism which partner with U.S.  Basically, almost like THREADS OF U.S. EMPIRE? Taboo shows top 4 countries are 1. Japan 2. Germany 3. South Korea 4. Guam. Compare before and after 1945.  

Controversial Syngman Rhee in 1948, he has started the liberation period, saved ROK from communist system and seeds DNA of ROK success to present. Concrete policy such as capitalism, mentality of civilization and has victory during cold war period. Learn from U.S. and become it.  Align with U.S. History of commemoration, the way things are equal the way it should be. CSS vs CIA. From Rival pro-U.S. And pro-soviet meanwhile developing country that want to stay neutral in between.  

What U.S. will get from Korea. On debate:  

1. No interest by George Kennan from 1946 – 1947  

2. Five industry strategy toward Soviet union [U.S. West EU, Japan, Soviet, …]  3. Major advantage, far superior, nuclear weapon, protect, aim to be control center.  Cold war time in 1940s between Greece and Turkey. Chinese revolution in 1949, discord who lost China, Joseph McCarthy. McCarthyism the 2^nd RED SCARE. U.S. has name list of who are communist that’s why they have to intervene South Korea democratic to balance the pandemic of security posture and use the soviet aggression. Same like in Austria and Poland. For the event of  Fall 1950 the start of Korea War, when it start in Incheon, U.S. has push North to North most  aggressive rollback and containment. U.S. ironically consider the Korea War as the was that must  be won for the signal of The Free World. In conclusion, U.S. does not have material interest but the truth behind of its reason still on debate until now

Reference to Dr. Keiran August 16, 2025 Chula KSIM: SNU GSIS