Korean Cabinet Background Guide CAHSMUN XVII Letter from the Director To my esteemed colleagues, It is both my honour and distinct privilege to welcome you all to the Cheongwadae for the first meeting of this cabinet. On these hallowed grounds, the enormity of the task that confronts us matches the extraordinary historical significance of the place where we sit. For the past half-century, the people of Korea have been wrought, humiliated, and exploited by foreign captors. The primacy of our nation’s interests have been cast aside for the injudicious priorities of our occupants, and the prestige of our country has been marred by the violence, turmoil, and upheaval that they have brought. Our administration must stand at the forefront of a Korean rejuvenation; decades of unrest and instability end with us. It may appear that the tattered state of our nation is a fait accompli, something in our destiny, something unable to be wrested from the jaws of fate, but I have dogmatic faith in this Cabinet to leave an indelible impact on the citizenry of Korea. It is here we shall herald a new era in Korean history. Best Wishes, Syngman Rhee | 이승만 President of the Republic of Korea | 대한민국 대통령 Committee Description As the advisors and associates to one of the most consequential leaders in South Korean history, the Cabinet of Syngman Rhee is responsible for navigating and leading South Korea through some of the most tumultuous times in the country’s history. The committee is constituted by ministers who formed the first cabinet of the infant First Republic of Korea, either when the country was founded—on August 15, 1948—or shortly thereafter in the months that followed.1 Some ministers may have decades of experience in public administration, while others come from backgrounds as diverse as the military, academia, or even forestry. But no matter one’s background or history, in this committee, all will be tasked with addressing the most exigent issues confronting Korea—and ones which threaten the lasting health of the Rhee government. Whether it be crushing civil unrest or weeding out communist traitors, the dawn of a new Korea will test the fortitude and wherewithal of the Rhee administration, and on August 15, 1948, the Cabinet of Syngman Rhee will sit for the first time, coinciding with the establishment of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Committee Timeline As a historical crisis, the Cabinet will be operating in a parallel universe. The history leading up to the start of the committee will be in line with our reality’s history; however, the events which transpire during the committee—and perhaps precipitate the crisis—will not reflect historical events. Therefore, it is imperative that all delegates are prepared with background knowledge of the events up until the official start date of committee: August 15, 1948. Referencing specific events or incidents after this start date (within the realm of real-world history) is strictly prohibited. Cabinet will run on a linear timeline, represented by a scaled model of committee time. The crisis timeline will be set according to a three-day to two-minute ratio, approximately equating one month in the crisis timeline to 20 minutes of debate. Please note that this timeline is heavily subject to change under the discretion of the President (represented by committee dais) at any point, especially during important wartime events and situations of similar nature. Additionally, delegates should note that all directives will require a processing time, which will take a specific amount of time to execute, something to be determined at the dais’ discretion. 1 https://www.loc.gov/law/help/national-parliaments/southkorea.php N.B. In real-world history, due to the chaotic nature of the ROK government’s establishment, a select few ministers in this committee may have taken office in the weeks and months shortly after the committee start date. However, for the purposes of this crisis, these ministers will have their term start dates amended and will take office to the official start date, August 15, 1948. Memorandum from the President — August 15, 1948 To the colleagues of my cabinet, On this day, we herald a new age in Korean history: one of rejuvenation, recovery, and prosperity. With the Republic of Korea’s establishment and the creation of this cabinet, we mark the beginning of a momentous and difficult journey, one in which we shall restore glory to our people, our country, and our identity. I will be the first to admit to you that this will be a difficult struggle, for we assume government in a time when our society has never been more fragmented, more divided, and more polarized. Our nation has encountered great adversity since the end of the great Joseon dynasty, which governed Korea from the late 14th century to the early 20th. Since its fall, we have endured foreign occupation under many different flags, whether Japanese, Soviet, or American; we have emerged from the ashes of World War II divided and separated, broken by an arbitrary line set by a government that knows nothing of our nation; and we have tolerated governance by a foreign administration that sees us as nothing but a pawn in their plans to propagate democracy. Today, the United States Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK), having sowed chaos in their past three years of administration, leaves in its wake a slew of challenges for our government to confront and address. They, for many years, have supplanted our administration with their inefficient and poorly-executed policies and have continually enabled our worst oppressors—the Japanese colonial government. Their response to the communist threat has been too soft when a harsh response has been required, and too cruel when a simple and humane response has been necessary. Despite acknowledging that our Cabinet’s formation today rests squarely on the shoulders of the USAMGIK, we must also recognize their abject failure in governing our nation; there is a reason why widespread revolt and strikes have become the only answers for our people.2 2 https://archive.org/details/korea00mart/page/70/mode/2up Our government must restore our people’s faith in our institutions, bridge the many gaps and barriers created by the USAMGIK, and present a unified front to the world—if we wish to ever reclaim all of our great country. While the USAMGIK may no longer govern this nation, their lasting legacy of division remains; the border and the North still stand as barriers to Korean reunification. And, if we cannot achieve the creation of one unified Korean nation through diplomatic means, we must not hesitate to resort to our military before they do the same. In any case, the initiative now rests in our hands. It is high time we seize the day and restore Korean greatness. 꿈을 꾸고 믿을 수 있다면 이룰 수도 있다! Timeline July 1392 - The Joseon dynasty is established under the rule of King Taejo. The Korean kingdom remains in power for the next five centuries.3 July 25, 1894 - The First Sino-Japanese War begins as the Qing Dynasty and Japan fight over control of Korea. Japan convincingly defeats the Qing, forcing it to formally recognize the sovereignty of Korea in the Treaty of Shimonoseki.4 September 5, 1905 - Japan emerges victorious from the Russo-Japanese War, firmly establishing a sphere of influence over Korea. The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905 is established, and Korea formally becomes a protectorate of Japan.5 August 29, 1910 - Japan annexes Korea under the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910. Korea remains under Japanese rule for the next 35 years, until Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II.6 3 https://www.britannica.com/place/Korea/Korea-since-c-1400 4 https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-62-supernova-in-the-east-i/ 5 https://www.britannica.com/place/Korea/Korea-since-c-1400 6 https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2010/08/29/editorials/the-annexation-of-korea/#.XTjAI-hKjt9 August 15, 1945 - Japan surrenders to the US, and Korea is once again recognized as an independent nation. The Soviet Union and the US agree to divide Korea along the 38th parallel, forming two postwar zones—one administered by the US, one by the USSR.7 August 1945 — With Japan’s surrender, Japanese colonial forces quickly retreat from the Korean peninsula, leaving the island with no government. The Korean People's Republic (KPR), a left-leaning Korean independence party—also claiming to be the Provisional Government of Korea—is formed by community leaders, who create municipal “People’s Committees” to administer the country.8 September 8, 1945 - American forces land on the shores of Incheon, taking control of Korea below the 38th parallel and establishing the USAMGIK.9 September 9, 1945 - Lieutenant General John R. Hodge, commander of the American troops in Korea and head of the USAMGIK, refuses to work with the KPR. Instead, Hodge announces that colonial Japanese administrators will be retained in aiding the US administration in Korea. The move sparks condemnation both within and outside of Korea.10 December 12, 1945 - The USAMGIK pass highly restrictive labour laws, which include a total ban on worker strikes, in an effort to quell rising civil unrest.11 January 4, 1946 - The USAMGIK create legislation targeting the KPR, declaring the KPR’s operations as “illegal.” As a result, many KPR officials, still governing at the municipal level through the People’s Committees, lose their seats in the coming months.12 March 8, 1946 - The Joint United States-Soviet Union Commission is established. The administrators of both halves of Korea engage in talks to outline the formation of a unified interim Korean Government.