Won Hee-ryong, Aftermath of Liberation Day Speech "No Supporters in Jeju Island"

Governor Won Hee-ryong Interprets Political Commemoration as Political Inspection
Fiery Debates in Yeouido Politics, Continuous Criticism in Jeju Island

Photo by Won Hee-ryong, screenshot from the governor's YouTube screen.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Chang-won] The impromptu speech by Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong at the 75th Liberation Day celebration held on August 15 at Jocheon Gymnasium in Jeju City has been causing controversy day after day.

On that day, Kim Ryul-geun, head of the Jeju branch of the Liberation Association, read the commemorative address of Kim Won-ung, chairman of the Liberation Association, which strongly advocated for "cleansing pro-Japanese collaborators" and "exhuming pro-Japanese collaborators from the National Cemetery." Governor Won, who attended the event, opposed this. Instead of the originally prepared commemorative address, he expressed dissatisfaction on the spot, saying, "If such a commemorative address is sent again, I will reconsider the Liberation Day celebration from scratch," and "I absolutely cannot agree," causing the event to end in disruption.

Since then, politicians in Yeouido and members of various parties have been debating and taking sides in defense and criticism of Governor Won's remarks, but in Jeju itself, there has been no visible support for Governor Won, and criticism has continued.

The Jeju Provincial Party of the Democratic Party expressed regret on the 16th, stating, "Governor Won's 'arrogant' behavior of using even the Liberation Day celebration for his own issue-making and his obstinate nature of intimidating Jeju residents are being revealed."

The Jeju Green Party, a small party, also issued a statement that day, saying, "Do not try to threaten with petty power," and pointed out, "We are ashamed as residents."

Additionally, Oh Young-hoon, a member of the National Assembly representing Jeju (Eul), posted on his SNS, "I strongly regret Governor Won's actions that seemed to show a historical view that condones pro-Japanese collaborators," and said, "I hope he reflects on whether it is appropriate for a head of an organization to directly deny the congratulatory speech of the Liberation Association chairman at the Jeju Liberation Day event and to mention reconsidering support for a national holiday event."

Furthermore, Moon Jong-tae, a member of the Jeju Provincial Council from the Democratic Party, criticized Governor Won on Facebook, saying, "At a celebration, even if you are somewhat displeased, it is polite to celebrate together. That is not how you express your presence to the central media."

Following this, criticism statements from civic groups continued. The Emergency Residents' Meeting to Stop the Forced Construction of Jeju 2nd Airport stated, "Making remarks that seem to defend pro-Japanese forces at a commemorative event attended by independence activists is highly inappropriate behavior for a local government head," and urged, "Immediately issue an official apology to the Liberation Association and Jeju residents."

All three electoral districts in Jeju have elected Democratic Party members who are currently active. The composition of the Jeju Provincial Council is also heavily skewed with 29 members from the Democratic Party versus only 5 members from the United Future Party, to which Governor Won belongs.

B (58), who has long been active as a member of the United Future Party, lamented, "It is easier for the media to pick up and form public opinion when statements and comments are issued, but since Governor Won was elected as an independent, he lacks local power, and it is regrettable that public opinion and the media are moving in only one direction."

A (48), a Jeju resident who supports Governor Won, said, "I don't know what the United Future Party Jeju Provincial Party is doing," and expressed regret, saying, "There is continuous criticism of Won Hee-ryong in the region, but they should issue some statements and support the governor, but that is not happening."

In Jeju's political circles, after Governor Won's Liberation Day remarks, many agreed that "there is no support group for Governor Won in Jeju." The passive stance shown by the United Future Party Jeju Provincial Party and its five affiliated Jeju Provincial Council members has also become a target of criticism.

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