Don’t exploit the military for political gains

The government plan to relocate the busts of heroes of independence war against Japan from the Korean Military Academy campus reignited a backlash. The Heritage of Korean Independence even demanded the government “blow them away” if it really wants the busts to be removed from the academy. The organization upholding the spirt of Korea’s independence movement during the Japanese colonial period is responding to the military’s decision to relocate their busts to the Independence Hall of Korea or other alternative locations due to some of the fighters’ associations with the Soviet and North Korean communists.

Six busts of the independence fighters were erected on the military academy campus on March 1, 2018 during the liberal Moon Jae-in administration to pose as the role models for cadets.

But in August last year, the military decided to relocate the bust of Hong Beom-do — the general of the independence army who led triumphs in several high-profile battles against Japanese forces — because of his ties with Soviet communists, as his bust could clash with the identity of the military academy training soldiers to protect the country from communist invaders. The government denied that the move is a part of its campaign to erase the liberal legacy of the former administration. Some argued the honor of an independence fighter should not be demeaned by his activity that took place a century before the creation of the Republic of Korea.

The defense ministry and military leadership in principle claim that they leave the final decision to the military academy. But given the traditional military hierarchy, the school cannot solely make the arrangement. The scheme is said to have been released to the public through the process of the military academy tapping opinions of stakeholders.

The military academy can make adjustment to its memorial statutes on its own. But its plan cannot but be seen as a move to erase the legacy of the past government based on ideology, as it can raise serious questions on the credibility of the military. The military, responsible for protecting the people’s lives and their properties, must have an unwavering confidence from the people due to its service as the final resort and fortress for the country.

The Korean military has been stained with the history of raising a coup and firing and killing citizens. Therefore, it must take extra pains to keep distance with politics to focus on their primary role of national defense. It is why Korean citizens are conscripted into military service. Politicians must not exploit their influence over the military. They are only harming the nation if it uses the military for its political wrangling.