Prayers should not be long

SHIN BOK-RYONG
The author is an emeritus professor of history at Konkuk University.

On May 31, 1948, the historic Constitutional Assembly of the Republic of Korea opened. Founding father Syngman Rhee was elected as the speaker and presided over the first meeting. Regardless of the official agenda, Rhee asked Pastor Lee Yun-young (1890-1975), who was elected as a lawmaker representing Jongno District, to say a prayer of blessing for the opening of the legislature.

It is something Rhee, a devout Methodist, would do. However, as Christianity was not a state religion, non-Christians must have felt very uncomfortable at the time. When Lee started the prayer, everyone stood up. As Lee had been internally designated prime minister, the prayer was more like a speech on state affairs.

After the country was liberated from Japan’s colonial rule, Lee could have said grace to God. But he went on to talk about gratitude to the United States, farmland reform, the educational system, plans for North Korean defectors, national unity, gender equality and principles of democracy. He read a ten-page speech. The legislators were uncomfortable and began to complain.

That’s how the first National Assembly opening ceremony ended.

In August, Rhee announced members of the first Cabinet, naming Pastor Lee as prime minister. Rhee was a church elder and was friendly with the pastor. There was also consideration for Lee, who came from North Korea. Of course, no law prevents a pastor from serving as prime minister.

But when Lee was nominated, lawmakers said, “Oh, that person who said a long prayer!” In the end, the nomination was rejected with 59 votes in favor and 132 votes against among 193 lawmakers present. The long prayer was not the only reason, but was a decisive one.

After many twists and turns, Lee Bum-suk (1900-1972) — head of the Korean National Youth Association who was named the first defense minister — became the prime minister. The discord between Syngman Rhee and Lee Bum-suk and its consequent influence are beyond the scope of this article. History is not a grand predestination but a collection of trivial accidents. Prayers should not be long.