On the world map there are countries whose peoples are artificially divided for ideological reasons. These include North and South Korea. A bipolar world has long sunk into oblivion, and these states are still not reunited, one people is raising two countries. A significant role in this story was played by Korean politician Lee Seung Man. This man led the American part of a divided country. He went to this post long and hard. Let's get to know him.
Lee Son Man: biography
This man comes from an impoverished aristocratic family. But his family had a connection with the royal, which played a big role in his life. Lee Son Man's date of birth is March 26, 1875. At the age of twenty, he joined the pro-American organization Independence Club. Probably in those days, it was progressive for Korea. Lee Son Man wanted changes in the political system, the development of the country's economy.
Two years later, the King of Korea appointed the young man a member of the Privy Council. However, intuition, as well as a lack of experience, failed. Lee Seung Man was arrested for participating in organizing activities against government policies. The young man was imprisoned. The conclusion lasted until 1904. After his release, he immediately left his native country and went to the United States, where he spent more than forty years. During this time, he received diplomas from three universities, including Harvard. Man has advanced in the study of the sciences related to economic development and nation-building.
To not give up
You must admit that the life of a young revolutionary struggling with the ruling clique is difficult. Lee Son Man drank a lot of grief in the casemates, and ties with the royal dynasty did not help him much. But he did not depart from his principles. In 1919, a group of activists proclaimed the Republic of Korea. Our hero led the government of this formation in exile. He led quite an active political activity. Demanded the transfer of Korea under the protectorate of the United States. During World War II, he severely criticized Roosevelt for his desire to cooperate with the Soviet Union. He considered this country his ideological opponent and longed for its defeat. But as they say, it did not work out. Good luck smiled upon him after 1945. There was an opportunity to move to their homeland. And the situation was as follows.
Korea section
During the Yalta Conference, this country was not discussed. Korea in those days was at the fringes of world politics. But the situation took her to one of the centers of events. After the defeat of the Kwantung group, Soviet troops stopped at the 38th parallel. We agreed with the Americans in working order.
In 1948, when the Cold War was gaining momentum, both groups left Korea, leaving their consultants. The country was divided in half. Active preparations were underway in the southern part for democratic elections. Lee Son Man took an active part in it. By then, he was already heading the pro-American organization, the Democratic House of Representatives. In 1948, his candidacy was approved for the post of president of the Republic of Korea, later renamed the South. Mans was re-elected three more times, the last time in 1960.
Lee Son Man: Reign
The leader of this politician was rather cruel. He advocated that American troops never leave his country. In relations with North Korea did not take any peace initiatives. He demanded that the American curators help to conquer this territory by force. Lee Son Man, whose political portrait they are now trying to embellish, was a man of iron principles, not inclined to compromise. He considered it a matter of honor to unite Korea on the principles of democracy. And this was possible only with the help of weapons, the northern part of the country was not going to give up. On the other hand, he did a lot for the development of the state economy: he attracted investments, contributed to business activities. However, his reactionary stance towards his close neighbor led to his repeated expulsion from the country.
In 1960, the people of South Korea revolted, which resulted in the resignation of the government of Lee Seung Man. People who survived the civil war (1950-1953) did not want to continue the massacre. The disgraced ruler again went to a foreign land. This time, his path lay on the Hawaiian Islands (USA). There he died in 1965, not understood and not forgiven by fellow citizens.