Professor Who Led Hong Beom-do Bust Removal Fails Reappointment, Claims Political Retaliation

It has been confirmed that Professor Na Jong-nam of the Department of Military History at the Korea Military Academy, who previously sparked controversy by leading the removal of General Hong Beom-do's bust from within the academy during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, has failed his reappointment review.

Professor Na was included among the six professors who failed the military professor reappointment review at the end of last year, leading to his discharge from the military in June.

Military professors typically undergo a reappointment review to serve until the retirement age of 60, but the Ministry of National Defense applied strengthened screening criteria at the end of last year with the intent of expanding the ratio of civilian personnel.

Regarding the reason for Professor Na's failure, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "We comprehensively considered not only his expertise as a military professor, but also his qualifications and character."

In particular, it is known that his poor research performance in recent times played a major role.

However, Professor Na is reportedly claiming that the decision was unfair, arguing that he suffered "political retaliation."

Objecting to the reappointment review results, Professor Na has even filed an administrative lawsuit against the Ministry of National Defense, with the first-trial proceedings currently underway.

In 2023, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration took issue with General Hong Beom-do's history of communist activities and pursued the removal and relocation of his bust, which had stood in front of Chungmu Hall at the Korea Military Academy.

At that time, Professor Na served as the secretary of the academy's Monument Relocation Committee, overseeing the related administrative tasks in practice.

Back then, independence merit organizations and other groups strongly protested, arguing that the administration was attempting to erase the history of the independence movement.

Previously, during the Park Geun-hye administration, Professor Na participated as a writer for state-authorized textbooks containing "New Right" historical views, such as advocating for a "Day of Foundation of the Republic" and glorifying the Park Chung-hee administration.

(Reported by Kim Min-jung, Video by Hong Jin-young, Graphics by Yook Do-hyun, Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.