Lee President Directs Review for Restoration of Independence War Heroes Hall

The Independence War Heroes Hall within the Korea Military Academy is expected to be restored soon.

According to a report by Korea Daily on the 19th, it has been confirmed that President Lee directed Prime Minister Kim Min-seok to review the restoration of the Independence War Heroes Hall at the Korea Military Academy.

This request is said to have come from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Woo Won-sik, a descendant of independence activist Heo Jeong-sik.

Woo Won-sik, the grandson of the independence movement member Kim Han, has shown a deep interest in independence movements. During a dinner held the previous day at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, he requested President Lee and Prime Minister Kim to restore the Independence War Heroes Hall within the academy, to which President Lee responded, "It seems we should do it quickly," and immediately instructed Prime Minister Kim to review related matters.

History of the Independence War Heroes Hall

The Independence War Heroes Hall at the Korea Military Academy was established during the administration of President Moon Jae-in in 2018.

This space was created in the Chungmu Hall of the Academy to honor heroes who dedicated themselves to Korea's independence, including Generals Hong Beom-do, Ji Cheong-cheon, Lee Beom-seok, Kim Jwa-jin, Lee Hoe-young, and Ahn Jung-geun.

However, during the administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2023, the army dismantled this facility and replaced it with a space aimed at enhancing the "national consciousness, security awareness, and historical understanding of the cadets," introducing the history of overcoming national crises, such as the Imjin War and the Vietnam War.

At that time, the army assessed that there were concerns about "redundancy and bias related to specific periods and organizations" regarding the Independence War Heroes Hall and its busts.

One of the most vocal opponents of this decision was Woo Won-sik, the current Speaker of the National Assembly. As the chairman of the Hong Beom-do Memorial Association, Woo criticized the decision, stating, "It denies the legitimacy of the armed forces that began from the independence of our country and claims it will only honor history after the establishment of the armed forces," adding, "They are trying to erase independence soldiers and liberation forces from the history of the Korean military."

At that time, President Lee, who was the leader of the Democratic Party, also criticized the actions, saying, "While the President, who is the commander-in-chief, cannot abandon ideological obsession, the army has colored the noble history of the independence movement with ideological bias through the removal of the Independence War Heroes Hall and the relocation of the bust of Hong Beom-do," and asked, "Is this the will of the people and their livelihood?"

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is scheduled to hold the launch ceremony for the 80th anniversary commemoration project at the Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 21st. Specific plans regarding the restoration of the Independence War Heroes Hall are expected to be mentioned during this event.

Image Source: President Lee Jae-myung speaking during the fourth senior advisor meeting held at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 17, 2025 / News1 (Provided by the Presidential Office), Speaker Woo Won-sik speaking at the celebration luncheon for the 77th anniversary of the Constitution at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of July 17, 2025 / News1, Photo = Insight