The making of the first Korean president : Syngman Rhee's quest for independence, 1875-1948

The only full-scale history of Syngman Rhee’s (1875–1965) early career in English was published nearly six decades ago. Now, in __The Making of the First Korean President,__ Young Ick Lew uncovers little-known aspects of Rhee’s leadership roles prior to 1948, when he became the Republic of Korea’s first president. In this richly illustrated volume, Lew delves into Rhee’s background, investigates his abortive diplomatic missions, and explains how and why he was impeached as the head of the Korean Provisional Government in 1925. He analyzes the numerous personal conflicts between Rhee and other prominent Korean leaders, including some close friends and supporters who eventually denounced him as an autocrat. Rhee is portrayed as a fallible yet charismatic leader who spent his life fighting in the diplomatic and propaganda arena for the independence of his beleaguered nation—a struggle that would have consumed and defeated lesser men. Based on exhaustive research that incorporates archival records as well as secondary sources in Korean, English, and Japanese, __The Making of the First Korean President__ meticulously lays out the key developments of Rhee’s pre-presidential career, including his early schooling in Korea, involvement in the reform movement against the Taehan (“Great Korean”) Empire, and his six-year incarceration in Seoul Prison for a coup attempt on Emperor Kojong. Rhee’s life in the U.S. is also examined in detail: his education at George Washington, Harvard, and Princeton universities; his evangelical work at the Seoul YMCA; his extensive activities in Hawai‘i and attempts to maintain prestige and power among Koreans in the U.S. Lew concludes that, despite the manifold shortcomings in Rhee’s authoritarian leadership, he was undoubtedly best prepared to assume the presidency of South Korea after the onset of the Cold War in the Korean Peninsula. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in modern Korean history, this work will serve as a lasting portrait of one of the pivotal figures in the evolution of Korea as it journeyed from colonial suppression to freedom and security.

The only full-scale history of Syngman Rhee's (1875-1965) early career in English was published nearly six decades ago. In the book, Young Ick Lew uncovers little-known aspects of Rhee's leadership roles prior to 1948, when he became the Republic of Korea's first president. Lew delves into Rhee's background, investigates his abortive diplomatic missions, and explains how and why he was impeached as the head of the Korean Provisional Government in 1925. He analyzes the numerous personal conflicts between Rhee and other prominent Korean leaders, including some close friends and supporters who eventually denounced him as an autocrat.

Rhee is portrayed as a fallible yet charismatic leader who spent his life fighting in the diplomatic and propaganda arena for the independence of his beleaguered nation - a struggle that would have consumed and defeated lesser men. Based on exhaustive research that incorporates archival records as well as secondary sources in Korean, English, and Japanese, The Making of the First Korean President meticulously lays out the key developments of Rhee's pre-presidential career, including his early schooling in Korea, involvement in the reform movement against the Taehan ("Great Korean") Empire, and his six-year incarceration in Seoul Prison for a coup attempt on Emperor Kojong. Rhee's life in the U.S. is also examined in detail: his education at George Washington, Harvard, and Princeton universities; his evangelical work at the Seoul YMCA; his extensive activities in Hawai‘i and attempts to maintain prestige and power among Koreans in the U.S. Lew concludes that, despite the manifold shortcomings in Rhee’s authoritarian leadership, he was undoubtedly best prepared to assume the presidency of South Korea after the onset of the Cold War in the Korean Peninsula.

Contents Preface Acknowledgments Note on Romanization and Photos Abbreviations Korean Names 1. Birth of a Christian Reformer 2. Diplomacy With a U.S. President and Ivy League Education in America 3. Christian Education and Evangelism in Korea and Japan 4. Early Life In Hawai‘i 5. President of the Korean Provisional Governments 6. Fall From Power In Shanghai And Hawai‘i 7. Solo Drive for Korean Independence in Europe and Marriage to Francesca Donner 8. In Pursuit of Diplomatic Recognition During the Pacific War 9. New Rivals and Detractors 10. Becoming the President of the Republic of Korea Conclusion Chronology of Syngman Rhee’s Career to 1948 Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Appendix I Appendix J Appendix K Appendix L Notes Glossary Bibliography Index About the Author