Why statues have become a centre of ideological dispute in South Korea

Historical debate: A bust of revered independence fighter Hong Beom-do at the headquarters of the defence ministry in Seoul. — The Korea Herald/ANN

A heated debate is unfolding in South Korea over conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s plan to relocate the statue of an independence activist, once again placing ideological divisions in the political spotlight.

At the centre of the renewed controversy is the statue of Hong Beom-do, a prominent figure in Korean independence history, who was associated with the Soviet Communist Party during his time in the Soviet Union.