The Evolution of Syngman Rhee's Anti-Communist Policy and the Cold War in the Korean Peninsula

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구는 해방 정국에서 공산주의에 대한 이승만의 입장이 어떻게 변화되어 왔는가를 살펴보고, 이를 통해 이승만의 반공정책이 한반도에서의 냉전구도 형성에 어떤 영향을 미쳤는지 분석하였다. 이를 위해 본 연구는 첫째로 해방 직후 이승만의 반공노선과 이에 기초한 단독정부 수립 주장을 검토하였다. 둘째, 본 연구는 1948년 정부 수립 이후 북진통일론을 중심으로 이승만 대통령의 반공정책을 분석하였다. 해방 이후 한반도에는 좌우세력 간에 냉전적 대결현상이 나타났으며, 이는 이승만의 반공노선으로 더욱 심화되었다. 이러한 대결구도는 1948년 한반도에 다른 이념을 표방하는 2개의 정부가 수립됨으로써 격화되었다. 이러한 상황에서 이승만의 반공정책은 북진통일을 주장할 정도로 강화되었고, 이는 다시 남북한 사이의 냉전적 대립에 영향을 미쳤다. 북한의 김일성 역시 적대적 대남정책으로 냉전을 심화시켰으며, 이는 결국 열전으로 이어졌다.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual 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.

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