이승만의 반공정책과 한반도의 냉전

Abstract

While examining the historical unfolding of the turbulent period from the liberation to the Korean War, this paper puts its focus on the evolution of Syngman Rhee’s position towards the Communists, and examines the influence of Rhee’s anti-Communists policy on the formation of the Cold War in the Korean peninsula. First it is discussed how, throughout the post-liberation political struggles, Rhee persisted with his anti-Communist posture and his call for a separate southern government. Secondly, the internal and external situation of South Korea after its establishment in 1948, which led Rhee to introduce his “march north” slogan, is examined. Indeed, there existed cold war style tension and hostility between leftist and rightist forces within the Korean peninsula after liberation, which in part encouraged by Syngman Rhee’s strong anti-Communism. In addition, such confrontation deepened with the establishment of two polities: Each supported different ideology; each claimed control over the entire peninsula as the only legitimate government. In this process, President Rhee overtly expressed its antagonism against the Communists, and even argued for ‘marching north,’ which in turn reinforced a kind of Cold War competition in the Korean peninsula. It does not necessarily mean, however, that only Rhee was responsible for such a situation. Kim Il Sung in the North also strengthened tension in Korea, preparing a war against the South.