"Release Park Geun-hye", "Remove Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Graves" Marked by Conflict on Liberation Day

The 75th Liberation Day Approaching Amid Various Political Conflicts
Former President Park Geun-hye Urges 'Liberation Day Pardon'
Conflict Over 'Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Exhumation Law' as Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Graves Relocated from National Cemetery
Concerns Over Large-Scale Conservative Group Rally on Liberation Day

On March 10 of last year, marking the second anniversary of former President Park Geun-hye's dismissal by the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling, the "10 Million Citizens Movement Headquarters for the Innocent Release of President Park Geun-hye" held a rally demanding her release at Seoul Station Plaza in the afternoon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The 75th anniversary of Liberation Day, just a day away, is marred by various political conflicts. On the conservative side, a large-scale rally criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration is planned for the 15th, Liberation Day. However, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has banned the rally to prevent the spread of COVID-19, setting the stage for clashes with conservative groups.

In some political circles, voices are calling for the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye as a 'Liberation Day special pardon.' Meanwhile, a public hearing was held on revising the law to provide grounds for exhuming graves ('pamo') of individuals classified as pro-Japanese collaborators buried in national cemeteries, intensifying social conflicts.

◆ "Law Revision Essential for Justice" Political Circles Clash Over 'Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Exhumation Law

A public hearing on the so-called 'Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Exhumation Law,' which involves relocating graves of pro-Japanese actors from the National Cemetery, was held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Kang Chang-il, former lawmaker and chairman of the Democratic Party's 'Special Committee on History and Justice,' said, "Although it will cause severe social conflict, it is inevitable to uphold the Constitution."

In his keynote speech at the public hearing on revising the Awards Act and National Cemetery Act held today at the National Assembly hosted by the Democratic Party, Kang said, "About 40% may oppose it, but for justice, the law must be revised."

Especially, Kang criticized the burial of the late General Baek Seon-yeop in the National Cemetery, saying, "This is an unacceptable phenomenon in a liberated country, an insult to constitutional values, and a situation that confuses national identity."

'Korea's First Four-Star General' General Baek Seon-yeop Passes Away. The ruling party is calling for the exhumation of pro-Japanese figures, including General Baek, who are buried at the National Cemetery.
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

He also stated, "If there is an enemy in the National Cemetery, the meritorious patriots and national heroes cannot rest in peace in the afterlife," and insisted, "Legal grounds must be clearly established to allow the exhumation of graves of pro-Japanese collaborators from the National Cemetery."

Democratic Party lawmakers Kwon Chil-seung and Kim Hong-gul have previously proposed amendments to the National Cemetery Act, known as the 'Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Exhumation Law,' to prevent the burial of pro-Japanese figures in the National Cemetery and to relocate those already buried outside the cemetery.

However, the bill is expected to face sharp conflicts with opposition parties, making discussions at the National Assembly standing committee level difficult. Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, criticized the exhumation-related questions, saying, "I don't know what their purpose is, but it will not be acceptable to the public," and added, "I don't understand why they dwell on old issues day and night without thinking about the future."

Former United Future Party lawmaker Lee Eon-ju posted on her Facebook on the 14th, saying, "It's truly heartbreaking; where is this country heading?" She criticized, "No matter how much they are a pro-North Korean faction with anti-establishment tendencies, I never imagined they would go this far to insult the defenders of the free Republic of Korea and drive a nail into the hearts of the people." She continued, "This is an act of impiety. If not, then was your homeland not the 'free' Republic of Korea?"

Former President Park Geun-hye is attending a continuation trial at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of July 7, 2017. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "We Hope for a Bold Decision" Calls for Former President Park Geun-hye's 'Liberation Day Special Pardon'

Political noise has erupted over the pardon of former President Park Geun-hye. Independent lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, classified as pro-Park, requested President Moon Jae-in to grant a special pardon to Park on August 15.

On the 11th, Yoon explained the need for a pardon on his Facebook, saying, "The punishment endured by former President Park has been politically and humanely extremely heavy. She has already been imprisoned for the longest period among former presidents, 40 months."

He said, "Leadership with magnanimity is about transforming Gwanghwamun Square from a 'symbol of division' into a 'symbol of unity,' and the shortcut to that is resolving the issue of former President Park Geun-hye," adding, "Only President Moon Jae-in can resolve this."

He continued, "Without resolving the issue of former President Park, Gwanghwamun Square will remain divided between candlelight rallies and Taegeukgi rallies, and history's misfortunes will only repeat," emphasizing, "I earnestly urge a bold decision for Korea to become one."

Park Dae-chul, a United Future Party lawmaker also classified as pro-Park, wrote on his Facebook the same day, "When this year's Liberation Day comes, former President Park will have served 1,234 days in prison," calling it "too harsh a number" and saying, "It's time to make a decision." He added, "The spirit of 'empathy' mentioned by President Moon at this year's New Year's meeting is needed now," and earnestly requested a special pardon again, emphasizing, "It's time to grant her freedom."

Opposition to the pardon came from the ruling party. On the 13th, Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and said regarding the demand for Park's August 15 special pardon, "The authority to lift detention lies with the Prosecutor General," adding, "Since this person is even mentioned as an opposition presidential candidate, please discuss it well with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl."

Jin Sung-joon, chairman of the Democratic Party's Strategic Planning Committee, also appeared on the same program on the 12th and evaluated, "Former President Park does not meet the conditions for a pardon."

With differing opinions in the political circles over Park's pardon, it seems unlikely there will be a special pardon this Liberation Day. President Moon granted special pardons three times: at the end of 2017, on March 1, and at the end of last year, but never on Liberation Day.

The retrial of former President Park's state manipulation and National Intelligence Service special activity funds bribery case is expected to conclude around the second half of this year.

The rally against the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye held in April 2017 by the 'Pro-Park' group [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Concerns Over Conservative Groups' 'Impeach Moon Jae-in' Rally on Liberation Day

Amid ongoing political controversies over the 'Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Exhumation' and 'Former President Park's Pardon,' clashes are expected between conservative groups, whose rallies have been banned, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Liberation Day, the 15th.

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued an administrative order banning the large-scale downtown rally scheduled for that day, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. According to Seoul City, they sent two requests to cancel the rallies to the relevant groups on the 11th and 12th, but seven groups expressed their intention to proceed with the rallies.

One conservative group plans to hold a rally named the '8.15 National Assembly' and call for the impeachment of President Moon Jae-in. The group cites nine reasons for impeachment, including 'security dismantlement,' 'denial of the free system and constitution,' 'economic collapse,' 'election fraud,' and 'submission to pro-North Korean forces.' They plan to gather at 12:00 PM in front of Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, hold the rally until 4:30 PM, and then proceed with free marches by each group.

Meanwhile, violating local government orders under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act can result in fines of up to 3 million won. Seoul City plans to take legal action against organizers and participants who violate the rally ban through on-site evidence collection and will also seek compensation claims if COVID-19 cases occur.

Seoul City explained the background of the rally ban order, saying, "Recently, cluster infections have occurred in religious facilities and Namdaemun Market, and COVID-19 continues to spread through secondary infections. With the COVID-19 alert level still severe, citizens have high concerns about holding a large-scale rally on the 15th."

They emphasized, "Rallies planned in downtown Seoul, Seocho-gu, and Gangnam-gu pose a high risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the close and dense gathering of large crowds, and a significant number of participants are expected to come from across the country, which could lead to nationwide spread."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.