Ilhan New, Soldier for the Modern Nation

Recovering a Protestant Martial Alternative to Korean Hegemonic Masculinity

Abstract

Twentieth century Korean hegemonic masculinity has validated the right to employ violence for the benefit of the nation unchecked by any higher ethical concerns. This arose in the early twentieth century in reaction to a crisis of Korean masculinity, identified by the first Korean nationalists. The supposed pernicious effects of Confucianism created the crisis by making men effete. This in turn “led” Korea to lose its independence. While scholars have recognized alternative Korean masculinities arising since the 1990s, including Catholic masculinities, they have overlooked a Protestant martial masculinity personified by Ilhan New [1895–1971]. New was a much lauded business pioneer, but his military career has not been analyzed in terms of its place in the history of masculinity. Mentored by a leading Protestant nationalist, New personified in mid-century an alternative Protestant martial masculinity, which created soldiers fighting for the nation under the discipline of a conventional military, bound by Protestant norms.