“National division should not happen…Independence movement leader is a conspiracy theory loudspeaker”
Opposition party: “Worst pro-Japanese regime”…Will not attend government event,
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Kim Hyeong-seok, the head of the Independence Day Memorial Hall, answering questions from reporters at the National Independence Memorial Hall in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, on the afternoon of the 14th. ⓒYonhap News,
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, “On the day before Liberation Day on the 14th, a sharp battle continued over the appointment controversy of Kim Hyeong-seok, the head of the Independence Day Memorial Hall. As a result, on the 15th, it is expected that only the ruling party will attend the government-hosted Liberation Day commemoration event, while the opposition party will be absent, leading to the event being conducted ‘half-heartedly.'”,
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, ‘Kwak Kyu-taek, a senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented in a statement, “The Democratic Party is continuing to launch reckless political attacks by framing our government as a ‘pro-Japanese’ regime,” and stated, “It should never distort national unity and the ceremonial stage of celebration into national division and confrontation.” This came after the presidential office intervened directly the previous day to dismiss the controversy surrounding the promotion of Kim as a politically motivated attack by the opposition.’,
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, ‘Lawmaker Kwon Sung-dong also criticized Independence Movement leader Lee Jong-chan on social media, saying, “The leader of a public organization has become a transmitter of unrealistic suspicions and a loudspeaker of conspiracy theories,” and expressed regret that the Independence Movement leader, who should mediate conflicts more than anyone else, is instead exploiting them.’,
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, ‘However, within the party’s close circle, cautious opinions were expressed regarding the controversy surrounding Kim’s appointment. Chief lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk stated on SBS Radio, “I wonder if the general public truly perceives this issue as ‘this person is really unacceptable, there was a serious flaw in personnel verification’ based on the facts that have been revealed.”‘,
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, ‘The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, continued a massive offensive on the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, repeatedly criticizing it as a ‘pro-Japanese regime.’ Floor leader Park Chan-dae stated at the National Assembly’s Supreme Council meeting, “We are entering the worst phase in history where the president must retract Kim’s appointment by today and personally apologize for the historical coup conspiracy.”‘,
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, ‘Immediately after the meeting, an assembly to denounce these actions was held in front of the National Assembly with the opposition and civic groups. Choe Goon-hyeok, leader of the Innovation and Justice Party, declared at the event, “It is pathetic that in today’s Republic of Korea, one must praise the Japanese colonial rule or deny the Constitution to reach high positions,” and lamented the need for such a denouncing assembly after 79 years of liberation.’,
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, ‘The Democratic Party announced its plan to skip the government-hosted Liberation Day commemoration event on the 15th and instead pay respects at the cemetery of independence fighters within Hyochang Park and issue a statement condemning the administration.’,
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