The Democratic Party of Korea has decided not to attend the government-sponsored celebration of Liberation Day unless the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as the Independence Hall director – amidst controversy over his viewpoints on history – is withdrawn. Instead, they have decided to participate in a commemorative event organized by the Gwangbokhoe.
Lee Hae-sik, the spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated, “We have decided not to attend the 79th Liberation Day celebration, as long as Kim Hyung-seok remains as the director of the Independence Hall.” He emphasized, “If the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok is revoked now, the Democratic Party can participate in the Liberation Day event despite the approval of the government for his pro-Japanese colonialism behavior.”
The Democratic Party has also decided to attend a separate commemorative event organized by the Gwangbokhoe at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Additionally, they announced plans to hold a press conference condemning Kim’s appointment as the director at the National Assembly with civil organizations on the day after tomorrow (14th).
Regarding this issue, Park Chan-dae, the acting president and floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the appointment of Kim, stating, “Appointing such a person as the director shakes the foundation of Korea’s identity and denies its history.” Park further added, “Kim Hyung-seok’s appointment as the new director of the Independence Hall goes against the efforts made over the past eight years to set the historical record straight. It not only slanders the pro-Japanese collaborators but also turns the Independence Hall, which has concentrated efforts to uphold the true history, into a committee for honoring the pro-Japanese collaborators.”
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