60 years of paradox and failure

The war strengthened the Rhee Syngman government, which had been ridden with innumerable problems, to the extent of giving it a new life. The progressive elements that had earlier survived the repression of the rightist regime in the ROK were decimated amid the destructions.

But the eclipse of progressive politics in the ROK was not in the physical sense alone. Ideologically and politically, progressive politics had to wait nearly half a century - passing through trials and tribulations - to find its place in the ROK, because people had grown nearly allergic to anything sounding mildly progressive, let alone leftist, because of the war. This became a good political resource to exploit for the authoritarian regime for a long time.

Rhee, on his part, did not admit, let alone take responsibility, for his failures. Despite being aware of the vast superiority of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's military, he insisted the country could be unified only through military means. People in responsible positions in his government even bragged about making an easy game of the DPRK in case of war.

When the invasion came, the Rhee government assured the people that everything was all right. He said they were beating back the DPRK army and even advancing to the north beyond the 38th Parallel, only to flee Seoul in secret and leave its residents to suffer the harrowing experience of death, destruction and deprivation. The destruction of life and property went on for three years even behind the battle lines.

In the 60 years of armistice, we have not seen anybody on either side of Korea take responsibility for the war and its aftermath. Everybody has been pointing the finger at others. The war is still going on behind the scene in clandestine operations and in exchange of words. The past 60 years have been a history of failure and paradox. Is it because there have only been heroes and none to take the responsibility?

The author is a distinguished professor in the International Division of Hanyang University, the Republic of Korea.