Key Moments at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence in Busan
See moments from the Korean War captured at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence
ReadPresident Syngman Rhee and Scott-MoncrieffProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
During the Korean War, the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence was where President Syngman Rhee handled national affairs and spent his daily life with First Lady Francesca Rhee. Records left behind at the residence reveal the political, diplomatic, and military events (among others) that took place there during the national crisis brought about by the Korean War.
President Syngman Rhee and Brigadier General Kai HammerichProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
A place for political exchanges and summits during the war
At the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence, President Syngman Rhee awarded various medals to generals of the UN, US, and Republic of Korea who participated in the Korean War. He also held press conferences with domestic and foreign journalists there. And as the head of the Republic of Korea, he frequently received courtesy visits to his residence from foreign delegations, diplomats, and politicians.
President Syngman Rhee andProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
When the Korean War broke out, Denmark dispatched the hospital ship Jutlandia to provide humanitarian aid and it started providing medical services on March 1, 1951. At the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence, on March 28, 1952, President Syngman Rhee presented a commendation to Vice Admiral Kai Hammerich, who accepted the award on behalf of the Jutlandia. The Republic of Korea Medal (the country's first cultural medal) was awarded to the head of the ship's dental service.
President Syngman Rhee and Scott-MoncrieffProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
On April 23, 1952, President Syngman Rhee held a meeting at the residence with Admiral Scott-Moncrieff, commander of the UN's UK fleet, and Alec Adams, the British ambassador to South Korea. President Rhee and Commander Scott-Moncrieffe discussed ways to promote friendship between their countries' naval forces, and exchanged opinions on the progress of the Korean War.
President Syngman Rhee and US Army Chief of Staff Joseph Lawton CollinsProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
On July 15, 1952, President Syngman Rhee held a meeting at the residence with the US Army's chief of staff, General Joseph Lawton Collins; the commander of the US' Eighth Army, General James Alward Van Fleet; and John Joseph Muccio, the US ambassador to Korea. He presented General Collins with the Republic of Korea's Taeguk Order of Military Merit for leading the UN forces from the frontlines. The men standing to President Rhee's left and right are Generals Collins and Van Fleet, and Ambassador Muccio is third from the right.
International press conference with President Syngman RheeProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
In July 1951, armistice talks began between the UN and the communist forces. The talks lasted for 10 months. However, the Rhee administration firmly opposed the ceasefire, demanding that the UN forces advance northward and drive out the communists from the Korean Peninsula completely. President Rhee announced the South Korean government's official position internally and externally in an interview with a national press group on January 9, 1952, as well as in an interview with foreign correspondents at the presidential residence on January 18.
President Syngman Rhee and Thomas E. DeweyProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
In 1951, New York State Governor Thomas Edmund Dewey visited South Korea for the armistice talks. He was a member of the Republican Party and one of the most influential politicians in the US at the time. On July 8 the same year, he met President Syngman Rhee at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence in Busan.
President Syngman Rhee and Arthur Hays SulzbergerProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
On June 4, 1952, Arthur Hays Sulzberger, chair of the New York Times, visited President Syngman Rhee, who hosted a welcome luncheon for him. Among the attendees were representatives of the UN and officials from the US Embassy in South Korea. Sulzberger is the person sitting to President Rhee's left.
President Syngman Rhee and the Chinese Cultural MissionProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
On March 30, 1952, a Chinese cultural delegation visited President Syngman Rhee at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence. The delegation wished President Rhee a happy birthday and gave him the book Famous Chinese People as a gift. It contains 38 pieces of calligraphy written by 33 Taiwanese celebrities, including President Chiang Kai-shek (1887–1975).
President Syngman Rhee and athletesProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
South Korea participated in the Olympics, even in the midst of war. In 1952, the country sent a team of 35 athletes to the 15th Helsinki Olympics to participate in 6 sports. A photo taken on June 10, 1952, shows President Syngman Rhee at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence offering encouragement to the athletes who were going to compete at the Helsinki Olympics.
First Lady Francesca's birthday celebrationProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
daily lives of the president and first lady during the war
ake important political decisions. However, he sometimes escaped from political affairs and spent his leisure time at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence. He read books, practiced calligraphy in his study, and grew bonsai plants in his garden. Each year, he and his wife Francesca would enjoy receiving birthday wishes from lots of people, from all walks of life.
First Lady Francesca's birthday celebrationProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
On June 15, 1951, First Lady Francesca's birthday celebration was held in the garden at the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence. In this photo, the president and first lady are watching a child perform a traditional dance.
President Rhee Syngman and military bandProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
This is a picture of President Syngman Rhee's 78th birthday celebration on March 26, 1952. The event was held at the government building and the Provisional Capital Presidential Residence. A large number of people from all walks of life attended the event at the official residence, which featured a performance by a military band.
President Syngman Rhee and Vice President Kim Seung SuProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
The Busan Political Crisis during the war
During his tenure, President Syngman Rhee passed the Selected Amendment Bill to the Constitution to allow his consecutive terms as president in the provisional capital, Busan. In the process, he instituted martial law and illegally detained lawmakers, causing an incident called the Busan Political Crisis, which led to political chaos. On May 29, 1952, Vice President Kim Seong-su, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, visited President Rhee at his residence and announced his intention to resign.
President Syngman RheeProvisional Capital Memorial Hall
This is a picture of President Syngman Rhee at the presidential residence during a visit from local representatives who passed the Selected Amendment Bill to the Constitution.
