State Security and Regime Security: President Syngman Rhee and the Insecurity Dilemma in South Korea, 1953-60

Book Description
This book examines the interaction between state security and regime security in South Korea under the leadership of President Syngman Rhee in the period 1953-60. In examining the reasons which led Rhee to repeatedly call to "march North," such as to remove the Communists and to empower Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War, the author shows that the "march North" was a manifestation of Rhee's concern for both state and regime security. Rhee's aggressive anti-Communist policy contributed to the promotion of security in South Korea. As he declined in popularity, Rhee's concern for the survival of the regime increased and he used the prevailing anti-Communist feeling to enhance his legitimacy. However, such tactics could ensure neither regime security nor the security of South Korea.


Card catalog description
"This book examines the interaction between state security and regime security in South Korea from 1953 to 1960, under the leadership of President Syngman Rhee. Yong-Pyo Hong argues that the 'march north' was a manifestation of the president's concern for state and regime security and was an attempt to both remove the Communists from power, in line with Rhee's own vehement anti-Communist stance, and to unify Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War. Rhee's primary concern was the survival of his political regime and as his popularity declined, he tried to use the prevailing anti-Communist feeling to his own benefit. Such tactics could not, however, ensure either regime or state security in South Korea."--BOOK JACKET.

About the Author
Yong-Pyo Hong is Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, Seoul.



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Drawing on documents declassified in 1994 and other archives, Hong (Korea Institute for National Unification, Seoul) argues that the post-Korean War "march north and unify Korea" policy was a manifestation of President Rhee's concern for state and regime security as well as an attempt to remove the Communists. The author provides a conceptual overview of security in developing states; discusses the historical setting of Rhee's policy; and details the collapse of his regime following the 1956 presidential election. The cover shows Presidents Rhee and Nixon together in 1954. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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