The South Korean Defense Ministry, in conjunction with the Korea Military Academy (KMA), proposed the removal of a bust of General Hong Beom-do from the academy’s grounds. This decision has ignited debates, primarily concerning the Yoon administration’s interpretation of Korean contemporary history, which hints at its current worldview.

Five busts of Korean independence fighters were installed at the entrance of the KMA’s main pavilion in March 2018, during President Moon Jae-in’s tenure. Hong’s bust was chosen to commemorate the Korean Independence Army’s first major victory over Imperial Japanese forces at the 1920 Battle of Fengwudong, where Hong was the commander.