The monument of Wongaksa in Tapgol Park in Seoul in the first half of the 20th century/ Courtesy of Robert Neff Collection
In the past, animals were often seen as harbingers of doom or omens of hope and good fortune. Foxes were often associated with evil acts while magpies enjoyed a more favorable image. It is easy to dismiss these tales as superstitions of the past but it might surprise you to learn that South Korea’s first president, Syngman Rhee, regarded an enormous turtle as a positive omen for the country.
In the fall of 1949, a huge turtle was caught in Gangjin-gun in South Jeolla Province. The turtle was initially reported to be about 7 feet long, weighed 180 kilograms and estimated to be about 1,000 years old. According to William M. Mann, the director of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., if the turtle was truly 7 feet long, it would be the largest turtle in the world.
Korean newspapers reported the residents of Gangjin-gun regarded the turtle as a divine omen of good fortune as it coincided with the celebration of the first anniversary of the Republic of Korea. However, it wasn’t only the common people who felt this way.
Time, a magazine published in the United States, quoted President Rhee as saying the giant turtle is “an omen for the nation. The turtle is our symbol of longevity and prosperity.”
The magazine added that the Korean people knew their president was talking about the past and present. It explained that in the past, when Korea was invaded by the Japanese during the Imjin War of the late 16th century, the country was saved by turtle-shaped warships that destroyed the Japanese fleet. In 1949, Korea was “menaced by Communist aggression” and it was hoped this giant turtle would help protect South Korea from aggression.
The Singapore Free Press joined in and declared that “no turtle had it so good” because President Rhee had adopted it and that it was soon to be placed in the zoo at Changgyeong Palace in Seoul.
A picture of the monument of Wongaksa (circa 1956-1962). This monument can still be found, but the statue of President Syngman Rhee, which was erected in Tapgol Park in March 1956, was torn down during the April Revolution (April 19, 1960) and dragged through the streets. Courtesy of Robert Neff Collection
However, an examination of the turtle revealed that it was a loggerhead sea turtle and far smaller than initially reported. It was also estimated to be only about 400 years old. Newspapers in the United States were amused. One newspaper quipped that the Korean authorities “had better get that big sea turtle” to a safe sanctuary “before it shrinks to terrapin size.”
Despite it not being the largest turtle in the world, President Rhee still treasured it and wanted it to be protected. According to Time, when the turtle was first caught, the fishermen “poured three crocks of wine [makgeoli] down its gullet.” The Singapore Free Press quoted President Rhee assuring the public that the alcohol “didn’t hurt [the giant turtle] at all.”
None of the Western articles explained why alcohol was given to the turtle, but Joo Hee-chun’s articles (Gangjin Ilbo, June 11 and 18, 2020) provide some very interesting insight. According to Joo, after the turtle was captured, hundreds of people gathered daily in hopes of touching the turtle’s shell, or, if they were lucky, to ride upon its back. There was a superstition that a person would have a long life if they rode on a turtle’s back. Another superstition asserted that your misfortunes could be avoided if you gave alcohol to a turtle and then put burning brush or straw upon its shell and released it into the sea.
When President Rhee learned of the abuse the turtle was experiencing, he ordered the police to protect the turtle and prevent the residents from harassing it. His original plan to bring the turtle to Seoul had to be abandoned because it was feared the winter’s cold would result in the turtle’s death. Instead, the turtle was moved to Busan.
When the Korean War broke out, the Korean government relocated to Busan and some people claimed that it was the turtle that protected the city and eventually enabled President Rhee to return to Seoul.
A picture of the statue of President Syngman Rhee on Namsan in this photo taken in 1959 — This statue was toppled and decapitated during the April Revolution and only the head remains, relatively forgotten. Courtesy of Robert Neff Collection
In July 1956, the turtle suddenly stopped eating. Korean and American doctors tried to save the turtle but on Aug. 1 it died. President Rhee was greatly shaken by the death and ordered the turtle to be stuffed and, for a short time, displayed near his office. It was later moved back to Busan where it was kept in storage until 2011 when it was revealed to the public.
Four years later, Syngman Rhee was no longer president and living in exile in Hawaii. According to some, his luck ran out when the turtle he treasured died.
My appreciation to Diane Nars for her invaluable assistance.
Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
President Syngman Rhee and giant turtle
48
0
16.03.2024
The monument of Wongaksa in Tapgol Park in Seoul in the first half of the 20th century/ Courtesy of Robert Neff Collection
In the past, animals were often seen as harbingers of doom or omens of hope and good fortune. Foxes were often associated with evil acts while magpies enjoyed a more favorable image. It is easy to dismiss these tales as superstitions of the past but it might surprise you to learn that South Korea’s first president, Syngman Rhee, regarded an enormous turtle as a positive omen for the country.
In the fall of 1949, a huge turtle was caught in Gangjin-gun in South Jeolla Province. The turtle was initially reported to be about 7 feet long, weighed 180 kilograms and estimated to be about 1,000 years old. According to William M. Mann, the director of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., if the turtle was truly 7 feet long, it would be the largest turtle in the world.
Korean newspapers reported the residents of Gangjin-gun regarded the turtle as a divine omen of good fortune as it coincided with the celebration of the first anniversary of the Republic of Korea. However, it wasn’t only the common people who felt this way.
Time, a magazine published in the United States, quoted President Rhee as saying the giant turtle is “an omen for the nation. The........
© The Korea Times
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Rami G Khouri
Mort Laitner
Rachel Marsden
Donald Low
Bradley Blankenship
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Nikkei Editorial
Abbas Juma
Michael Kwet
