Nation Building, Wars, and Evangelistic Campaign - Essay Example

NATIONALISM 4: NATION BUILDING, WARS, AND EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN Introduction The process of attaining proper nationalism in Korea took different turns especially during the rule of the Syngman Rhee. At that time of birth of the country, a visionary leader was highly needed to foster development and establishment of united country, however split and disunity came earlier than anticipated (Yang-Won, 15). The president’s inclination towards Christianity could only add problems to the management of the country resources. Politically, the country was under good relations with America but that would not help as in most cases the American policies had their own interests which at most times could not aid in helping Korea attain their desires (Yang-Won, 18). The policies of the country became quickly misplaced and the desires of some sections of the country fall out as the expected growth failed to take course as expected. A mixed group of interests led to the fall of the first president of Korea. The eventual split of the country came from the conflict of interest from US and Russia in the management of the country. In Korea, the process of nationalism underwent through progression that was identifiable as in segments of nation building , wars and evangelistic campaigns (Yang-Won, 76). The management of the Korean republic faced myriads of criticism from the wide range of groups stating various scopes of their expectations. The president had even prompted the split of Korea by fostering divided nation despite the apparent the constitution stating that the real territorial region of Korea (Yang-Won, 111). The president even placed strong foundation for implementation of the American policies and desires in the region. The president had even applied divide and rule tactics on his competitors and also entailed violence on the opponents only to retain power (Yang-Won, 131). He was even accused of rigging the presidential election a move that led to devastating the constitutional government and ruining democracy the organization and the management of the government of Korea. Syngman Rhee was blindly obsessed by pursuance of the American goals without regarding the interest of its country thus entrenching his country into split. Considering he was the first president of the Korea he was obliged to empower the country and create unity amongst the various parties in the country was described as a rabid pro-American and divisionary figure. To this end, Kang Jeong-gu claimed: “We have a historical duty and responsibility to establish a unification process that is based on an independent, peaceful, and national community in this the era of independent unification. At this point in time, any attempt to reinstate Syngman Rhee – whose contributions such as the establishment of a separate South Korean government, unification policy based on the forced annexation of North Korea, adoption of the president-for-life system, infringement on the rights of a constitutional government, and dictatorial politics have already been well documented – raises worries that our national history will once again be distorted as part of an amateur reevaluation of this public figure that does not involve any particular academic considerations” (Syngman, 27). The president was the utmost disappointment to the rebuilding of Korea following the liberation since he was he blindly followed the desires of an outside without considering the pleas of the natives of his own nation (Syngman, 156). While Korean had serious economic and even health problems, the president only created a structure that would favor outside countries and thus prompting the split of the wider Korea state. The state of the country was comparable to some transformation in the religious world for instance; the lack of comprehension of silenced voices that have been lost in the midst of someone else’s godly and faithful as notable from actions (James, 2011). Nationalism under the leadership of Rhee was mixed by misinterpretation of the bible teachings. Son Yang-Won, who personified the forgiveness and love of Christ throughout his life and ministry, rightly deserves our utmost regard and the spotlight (Lee Sang-Hoon, 73). However, it is critical for us to consider and care for Rev. Son’s wife, the remaining family members, and An Jae-Seon, the perpetrator Rev. Son’s embrace of An Jae-Seon may have caused much pain and condition on his family members who had no choice but to go along with his faithful and godly decisions. As good and praiseworthy as his actions of adopting the slaughterer of his two sons may have been, they are nevertheless of Rev. Son’s. Thus his family members inadvertently may have suffered and became victims from carrying out the burden of living and dealing with the enemy under the same roof (Lee Sang-Hoon, 120). While President Rhee was viciously fighting for the recognition of the American and veneration, the country’s leadership was stealthily organizing his fall as the president of Korea (Syngman, 109). The president’s opposition to the communist and desire for unification and anti- stance resulted in his being regarded as a laughingstock or a mental patient by the allied powers during this period, with this view being especially prevalent within the United States. In the aftermath of his release of North Korean prisoners of war without its agreement, the United States began to prepare various scenarios in which Syngman Rhee was removed from power. Voluminous of these plots have been exposed through the recent testimony of some of the key figures from this period (Syngman, 99). For his part, Syngman Rhee’s faith in the allied powers, including the United States, was far from unbreakable. Rather, he was clearly aware that the primary motivation of the allied nations’ participation in the Korean War was not that of ‘helping or saving Korea.’ The American parliament always had their own desires and would do anything to achieve their own desires ; this is exhibited by the acknowledgement of Paik Sun-yup who questioned by the American authorities in the any eminent replacement as the Korean president. The intentions and motives of the American was not as per the expected , they always disguised and for instance their involvement in the Korean war was not to aid in stopping the war but achieve their own desires (Syngman, 171). Syngman Rhee clearly perceived the communist forces as being engaged in a campaign that spread well beyond the Korean peninsula. More to the point, Rhee was convinced that this communist plot for world domination lay at the heart of the tragedy that was the Korean War. As notable, Syngman Rhee’s ‘pro-American’ leanings should be observed from within the wider scope of ‘anti-communism.’Syngman Rhee was a leader who fervently devoted himself to the accomplishment of Korean independence, and the establishment of a liberal democratic state that would promote freedom, democracy, and the market economy, while also serving as an anti-communist fortification. Seo Jung-seok, a critic of the president Rhee noted that Rhee’s political ideology was abrasive one based in “a fascism-based ultra-rightist brand of anti-communism under which insufficient political structure was be established.” (Syngman,45). To this end, Seo has argued, the ultra-rightist anti-communists of Korea, including Syngman Rhee. Shin Ok-hee undertook a study on the scratchy relationship that existed between the Syngman Rhee and Eisenhower governments. The struggle for nationalism and the desire to stick to Christian values also compromised the attaining of the desired goals of the country. Syngman Rhee, Christianity was not a religion, but a substantial power base. Contrarily, An Jae-Seon, who was unbelievably pardoned and embraced by Rev. Son, too warranted our care and attention. Although he must have been very appreciative, he may not have been ready to play the role of a son to such a faithful pastor as Rev (Syngman, 72). Son. If An Jae-Seon were not a Christian when he was adopted by Rev. Son, he may have needed more time and space for him to fit into the kind of Christian son whom Rev. Son had envisioned. It is also critical to point out that An Jae-Seon, the perpetrator, is expected to engage in and deal with the issues of truth and justice before the forgiveness and embrace that were granted to him can become truly active (Syngman, 190). This means that the proper emotional and emotional attention and consideration must have been granted to An Jae-Seon for reflection, repentance, and restoration (James, 22). Sarcastic stilly, while Rhee was in pursuit of the pro American agenda he still had courage to inform the Koreans of the elements on which Korean nation was created upon . He noted the transformation of the Korean studies to set up standards; he acknowledged the sole regards for each Korean to observe critical legitimacy and identity on. While the need exists to more clearly define what this perception of a ‘concrete power base’ was based on, what we do know is that Syngman Rhee regarded ‘Christianity’ as a ‘true religion’ that had proven its virtue throughout history, and as the ‘driving force’ that, via the actualization of the ‘spirit’ of Christianity, had made the spread of Western democracy possible (Lee Sang-Hoon, 131). Rhee regarded Christianity as more than a mere personal religion; in fact, he viewed the ‘spirit of Christianity’ as the driving force behind the accomplishment of independence, and as the main implement that would help shield the country from a communist invasion. Rhee’s belief in the formation of the country based on the Christian spirit was not one that suddenly sprung up after liberation. Rather, it had already taken root in his mind during his youth (Lee Sang-Hoon, 189). Syngman Rhee, had the undying love the for the American state exhibiting how it had gained its independence from the British rule and his desires on transforming the country only based on the trying to pursue the American style of leadership while on the other hand it the American rule was full of mistrust and misplaced interest as opposed to what came out visible to the rest of the people or viewers or the ardent supporters like president Rhee (Lee Sang-Hoon, 59). The unceasing support of President Rhee on American only led to the split and war of the country’s leadership. Syngman Rhee leadership style had suffered corruption of mind by retrogressive teaching model that would not apply to the secular style of living. Typically, Christian style of leadership has strict regards on the trust , handwork and some other good values however country leadership always some sacrifices to be made, hatred and sacrificial of others. The image of the government from the entire public determined the success of the government. Christianity as religion would not be left to control some of the major in the government since a national commonly has numerous religions to stick to (Lee Sang-Hoon, 111). Notably the leadership of the president was out of the misinformed version of the Confucian and Christian principles that conflicted and did not auger well. While some of the Syngman critics acknowledges how that his model of leadership was Gods way of informing the world how evil one could use his name to do evil and practice some foolish acts and acts in sin. For Syngman Rhee, the basic elements of modern democracy, such as popular sovereignty and an independent spirit, were rooted in an individual. “People around the world have always claimed that it is the nature and disposition of the people in Asia that makes possible the advent of despotic governments and the absence of any political revolutions in these lands” (Lee Sang-Hoon, 11). In conclusion, the attainment of the true leadership of the country was due to lack of visionary leadership of which President Rhee was entrusted with. The fall came earlier than expected because of the mistrust between Korea and foreign countries this included the communist Russians and the Americans (Lee Sang-Hoon, 41). President Rhee was involved in the Christianity and therefore in most instances thought of Christianity as the national religion which he thought everyone should accept and follow. In a miniscule, the combination of the religion interests with the interest of the country destroyed most of the fundamental regards for the establishment of the Korean state. Mr Rhee reiterated several principles that showed that required the people to leave pedigree lineages in promotion of the equal rights of the and thus unite as a single nation in rule of one law without recognizing he was highly influenced by Christianity of which not every person was part. The president considered certain values as the best paths to undertake for the benefit of the country as it most cases he desired that every citizen should work and obtain from the market what was availed. He desired that everyone should reap rightfully from the market under joint cooperation between land holders, capital source and laborers. He desired the establishment of the gender equality and crusaded for the elimination of the class divisions and regionalism. Works cited James H. Grayson Montanism and the "Empire of Mount Sion : Lessons from the Early Church and the Early Korean Church Journal of Korean Religions, Volume 2, Number 2, October, 2011, pp. 83-110 (Article) Published by University of Hawaii Press DOI: 0.1353/jkr.2011.0016. Lee Sang-Hoon, Syngman Rhee’s Vision and Reality: The Establishment of the Nation and Thereafter, The Review of Korean Studies Volume 14 Number 3 (September 2011): 33- 60 ©2011 by the Academy of Korean Studies. All rights reserved. Rev. Son Yang-Wo, A Martyr of Love: Pastoral Theology and Care for Those Left Behind: (1902-1950), Simone Sunghae Kim. Read More