[Choice Times=Sung-Min Kim, Political Columnist]

While receiving a policy briefing from the Northeast Asian History Foundation in Sejong City, President Lee Jae-myung suddenly brought up the topic of so-called “Hwan-ppas.”

The term Hwan-ppa refers to followers of Hwandan Gogi, a text widely regarded by mainstream academic historians as a fabricated or pseudo-historical work.

To many observers, the moment drew a bitter smile as a display of anti-intellectualism. Among President Lee’s supporters, however, it appeared to be thrilling.

Lee Jae-myung(reading from the report):
“The Northeast Asian History Foundation is an organization that responds to distortions of history and culture. Japan, China, international academic cooperation on the protection of Dokdo sovereignty…”

Then he shifted to what he really wanted to say.

Lee: “There’s that so-calledHwan-ppacontroversy in history education, right?”

Park Ji-hyang, Chairwoman: “I’m not very familiar with it. Haha.”

Lee: “How could you not know? The Hwan-ppacontroversy? Doesn’t anyone here know?”

Lee’s supporters interpreted this as a refreshing rebuke—a president scolding an unprepared foundation head. Many of them voted for Lee precisely because they enjoy watching him berate others.

But if one listens carefully, it is clear that Chairwoman Park does understand the controversy. What stands out is that no previous president ever raised anything like this during official briefings.

Former President Roh Moo-hyun once said:

“The Northeast Asian History Foundation must systematically and persuasively organize historical facts to correct public understanding of history.”

Lee’s language could not be more different from Roh’s.

Lee: “That… Dan… Dangun… Hwandan…”

Park: “Ah, yes, yes.”

Lee: “People who advocate and researchHwandan Gogiget disparaged as Hwan-ppas, right?”

Who would expect a discussion of Hwan-ppas during an official policy briefing?

Lee: “It seems the Foundation doesn’t have much interest in this issue.”

Park: “Uh…”

Was there some recent heated debate over Hwandan Gogi? Lee is unlikely to have read history books himself. But perhaps figures from the old NL (National Liberation) camp—people like Jeong Jin-sang—are stirring again.

Lee: “There’s a dispute right now over research into ancient history, isn’t there?”

Park: “Yes, that’s correct.”

Lee framed the situation as if a fierce academic controversy were underway.

Lee: “So does that mean the Foundation doesn’t research ancient history?”

Is debating Hwandan Gogi really equivalent to researching ancient history?

Park: “We are working diligently. What the President refers to seems to be the claims of so-called non-mainstream historians…”

Lee: “That’s right.”

Park: “Compared to them, the theories and arguments of professional scholars are far more persuasive, so we inevitably rely on…”

Why is a text beloved by NL activists 20 years ago resurfacing now?

Lee: “If there’s no evidence, is it not history?”

For NL activists, evidence is not required for something to be considered history.

Park: “History is fundamentally based on historical sources.”

Lee: “Does ‘sources’ mean physical evidence only? Or can historical documents themselves be considered evidence? That’s debatable, isn’t it?”

Park: “We primarily value documentary sources.”

Lee: “Isn’t Hwandan Gogi a document?”

Here, Lee effectively suggests that Hwandan Gogi qualifies as a historical document and thus as evidence.

Park: “Not all historical records accurately reflect facts. That’s why scholars debate their validity. Of course, nothing is absolutely correct or incorrect. Our Foundation once collaborated with non-mainstream historians, but the results were not good.”

As Park explains the problems with Hwandan Gogi—

Lee: “%$$% Did you fight too much?”

Park: “Somewhat.”

Lee then asks about her term of office.

Lee: “Heh. When did you become chair?”

Park: “December 2023.”

Lee: “December 2023… Hmm. So reconciliation isn’t happening.”

If you can’t reconcile with Hwandan Gogi, are you about to be fired?

Park: “We tried to reconcile, but it hasn’t been easy. Haha.”

Lee: “Hehehe. Of course it’s not easy. Anyway, it’s not a simple issue.”

Park: “Yes.”

Lee: “In the end, it’s about from what perspective and position you view history. Fundamental differences in outlook.”

Park: “Yes.”

Lee: “It’s a matter to ponder.”

Is Hwandan Gogi merely a matter of differing perspectives? For its believers, this was a historic day.

“The first president in history to mention Hwandan Gogi—the dawn of historical liberation?”
—Han Culture Times

Those who have criticized Hwandan Gogi respond differently. Some remain silent, effectively endorsing it. Others even claim that Lee criticized Hwandan Gogi. But calling for “reconciliation” with it is hardly criticism.

What kind of ill-fated relationship does the Northeast Asian History Foundation have with Hwandan Gogi?

About ten years ago, the Foundation undertook the “Northeast Asian Historical Atlas” project—a large-scale initiative costing nearly 5 billion won. Lee Deok-il attacked it as “Noron colonial historiography,” claiming Dokdo was missing. In fact, Dokdo appears clearly when the map is zoomed in. Nevertheless, the project was ultimately scrapped.

At the time, Lee Jae-myung, then mayor of Seongnam, showed keen interest in Lee Deok-il’s defamation trial and openly supported him.

“Pro-Japanese forces have infiltrated every corner of our society… One day, they must be uprooted.”
“Congratulations on Director Lee Deok-il’s acquittal.”

Lee Deok-il had accused Professor Kim Hyun-gu of Korea University of being pro-Japanese and was sued for defamation.

“Kim Hyun-gu wrote that the Japanese Imna headquarters actually ruled southern Korea.”
— Lee Deok-il, Colonial Historiography Within Us

This was false. Professor Kim never wrote such a thing. Yet he suffered greatly due to Lee Deok-il’s fabricated claims.

Now recall Lee Jae-myung’s words from a decade ago:

“Pro-Japanese forces have infiltrated our society… One day, they must be uprooted.”

Being branded pro-Japanese for things never said, and facing total destruction as a result—Hwan-ppas cheer, while those with common sense can only despair.

#PseudohistoryDebate #HwandanGogi #PoliticsAndHistory