Democratic Party to push for bill criticizing diplomatic relations with Japan
Opposition party holds press conference condemning government with civic groups
Likely to skip government-sponsored Gwangbokjeol event,
On the morning of the 14th at Yeouido National Assembly in Seoul, participants, including Park Chan-dae, co-representative and interim floor leader of the Democratic Party, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Justice Party, are shouting slogans at the ’79th Anniversary of Gwangbokjeol National Assembly-Civil Society Declaration’. Yonhap News,
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, ‘On the 14th, a day before Gwangbokjeol, the opposition party continued to criticize the Yoon Suk-yeol government as a “pro-Japanese collaborationist regime.” The conflict between the current government and the Gwangbok Association, triggered by the controversy at the Independence Hall of Korea, seems to be tightening the reins of attack, linking it with the policy of Japan-related diplomacy.’,
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, ‘Park Chan-dae, the co-representative and interim floor leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the Yoon government during the highest committee meeting at the National Assembly, saying, “The entire administration has become ingrained in pushing pro-Japanese forces into key positions and promoting Japanophilia.” He went on to say, “At this point, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration can be considered the worst pro-Japanese collaborationist regime in the history of South Korea, reaching a stage of spiritual self-alienation.”‘The highest committee member Jung Cheong-rae also pointed out, “The fact that the effects of not condemning pro-Japanese actions run so deep makes one wonder if we have not cleansed and organized history properly.” He added, “Only when history is cleansed and organized, can we prevent the outbreak of reversed pseudo-patriotic movements.”‘,
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, ‘In celebration of Gwangbokjeol, the Democratic Party has decided to focus on promoting bills related to the controversy of the Yoon government’s Japan-related diplomacy. These include resolutions such as the withdrawal of the proposal for the inclusion of Saemaul Mining Site in the UNESCO World Heritage list and urging Japan to comply with the UNESCO recommendations on modern industrial facilities in Japan △ Special law for revealing the truth of the Gando Massacre and restoring the honor of the victims △ National Meritorious Persons Act excluding respect and support for pro-Japanese collaborators. The Democratic Party has previously proposed bills such as banning the display of the Rising Sun Flag on national holidays.’,
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, ‘On the same day, the opposition party held a condemnatory meeting with civic groups at the National Assembly. At the meeting, Park, the floor leader, stated, “We cannot tolerate the absurd and distressing reality of the Democratic government committing serious insults against patriotic figures and patriots” and claimed, “A president who denies the constitution and distorts history is not qualified to be the President of South Korea.” Cho Kuk, leader of the Justice Party, also emphasized, “A pro-Japanese cabal has taken control of Yongsan, and the one appointing the cabal is the primary pro-Japanese collaborator,” and stated, “I will do everything to stop the pro-Japanese collaborationist policies and drive out pro-Japanese right-wing forces.” Members of the Democratic Party’s National Defense Committee directly requested access to documents related to the appointment of Kim as director of the Independence Memorial Hall in Cheonan, but were refused access to them.’,
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, ‘The opposition party is likely to skip the government-sponsored event commemorating the Gwangbokjeol on the 15th. Instead, they are expected to attend the Gwangbokjeol event hosted by the Gwangbok Association or the Union of Anti-Japanese Independence Patriots (Hantanyeon) at Hyochang Park in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.’,
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