Ex-President Rhee named as independence activist of the month

▲ This illustrated image, provided by the veterans ministry on Dec. 29, 2023, shows Rhee Syng-man, South Korea's first president. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

veterans ministry-late president

Ex-President Rhee named as independence activist of the month

SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- The veterans ministry on Friday named Rhee Syng-man, South Korea's first president, as the independence activist of next month, citing his involvement in the movement against Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.

Rhee held various leadership posts in the movement, most notably as the first president of the Provisional Government from 1919 to 1925. He went on to become South Korea's first president in 1948.

Rhee, however, is considered a divisive figure in South Korean history, with supporters crediting him for laying the foundation for a free democracy and critics accusing him of being a dictator during his 12-year rule.

He was ultimately forced out of office in 1960 following a massive pro-democracy civil uprising touched off by public anger over vote rigging. The protests culminated in the April 19 Revolution that left more than 100 demonstrators dead in clashes with armed police.

A veterans ministry official said Rhee's selection was based on his merits as an independence activist and not on his activities as president.

A committee of officials from the veterans ministry and independence activist organizations selects the activist of the month based on recommendations from civic groups and other organizations, according to the ministry.

It said it marked the first time Rhee was recommended since the title was first given in 1992.

Rhee died in exile in Hawaii in 1965.

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