On the 22nd, Cho Jung-kook, the leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), emphasized that the name of the “Ilhae Park” in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, which was named after former President Chun Doo-hwan, should be restored to “Saechonnyeon Forest.” He urged the government and ruling party to actively engage in discussions on renaming the park.
Cho made these remarks while visiting Ilhae Park in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do on that day, stating, “Mr. Chun Doo-hwan was sentenced to death for rebellion and insurrection crimes as the main culprit of the May 18 Gwangju massacre. However, instead of apologizing to the people, he continued to make excuses until his death.” He explained that using the name of a dictator in a park used by the public is far from common sense and does not meet the standards set out in the “Naming Standardization Handbook” that excludes the use of the names of surviving individuals. Former President Chun passed away on November 23, 2021.
The controversy over the name of Ilhae Park has been ongoing since 2007. The park was created in 2004 next to Hwangang in Hapcheon-eup. Originally named “Saechonnyeon Forest,” it was changed to Ilhae Park in January 2007 through public proposals and surveys conducted among residents, and a stone tablet bearing Chun Doo-hwan’s handwriting was installed the following year.
Cho stated, “Even in this situation, in June last year, the Hapcheon-gun Naming Committee rejected the proposal to revert to the original name, and when criticism escalated, Hapcheon-gun said they would go through a public discourse process regarding the naming change based on the committee’s recommendation.” He urged that the name of Ilhae Park does not meet the standards then or now, and that considering the pain of modern history, it should not be used. He emphasized that the county mayor should restore the park’s name to its original form and that not only Hapcheon but also the government and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should take action.
Furthermore, he stressed, “The responsible department for naming management is the National Geographic Information Institute, yet they are neglecting this issue by saying that Hapcheon-gun should handle it. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo should immediately instruct the head of the National Geographic Information Institute to address this issue.”
Additionally, he pointed out that the will of the people to “incorporate the spirit of May 18 into the preamble of the Constitution” should be answered by questioning whether it is appropriate to engrave the name of the culprit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising in a park used by the public.
Meanwhile, Hapcheon residents have formed the “Reclaim Saechonnyeon Forest Campaign Headquarters” and are conducting various activities. On the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, they visited Gwangju on the 17th and 18th, appealing for the exercise of the people’s right to refuse at “Hapcheon Chun Doo-hwan Park.” The Campaign Headquarters is also planning to initiate a petition to the National Assembly for the renaming of Ilhae Park.