Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party Condemns Shameless Actions of Japanese Government

On the 76th Liberation Day and the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic of Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party (Representative Jo Sang-ho, Seodaemun 4) issued a statement reaffirming the meaning and dedication of the countless patriotic martyrs and independence activists who sacrificed for the nation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] On July 24, 1945, independence activists Jo Moon-gi, Yoo Man-su, Kang Yoon-guk, and others bombed the podium at the Gyeongseong Bumin Hall, where the pro-Japanese collaborationist assembly called the ‘Asia National Disintegration Assembly’ was being held. This was the last act of resistance during the Japanese colonial period, occurring just over 20 days before liberation.

The Gyeongseong Bumin Hall, where the bombing took place, was the Gyeongseong Municipal Theater and is now the Seoul Metropolitan Council building. On the meaningful site of the national independence movement, marking the 76th Liberation Day and the anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Korea government, the Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party of Korea (Representative Assembly Members Jo Sang-ho, Seodaemun 4) reaffirmed the will and dedication of the countless patriots and independence activists who sacrificed for the country, said Song Myung-hwa, spokesperson for the Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party, in a statement.

Since liberation, the Republic of Korea has achieved remarkable growth thanks to its diligent people. In July, it made history as the first case of a developing country to be reclassified as an advanced country group by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In less than 80 years since independence, Korea has risen to become a genuine advanced nation standing shoulder to shoulder with Japan.

However, the path to restoring relations with neighboring Japan still feels distant. Japan must offer sincere reflection, apology, and adequate compensation as a war criminal state. At this busy moment when both countries should be working together to unravel the complex historical knots and advance Asia’s development and peace, Japan continues to provoke disputes by distorting history, infringing on Dokdo territorial rights, and imposing economic retaliation.

At the Olympics, where political acts are strictly prohibited, Japan has made inscriptions that could provoke territorial disputes over Dokdo, and with the outrageous remarks of Soma Hirohisa, the Charg? d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Korea, relations between the two countries have deteriorated rapidly. Ultimately, even the Korea-Japan summit, which was being pursued to improve relations, was canceled.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party condemns the shameless actions of the Japanese government and is actively working to eliminate pro-Japanese remnants, support descendants of independence activists, and assist victims of the Japanese military’s comfort women system.

In April, it passed a resolution condemning and urging the withdrawal of the Japanese government’s decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, and in July, it passed a resolution condemning Japan’s territorial infringement on Dokdo, denouncing the irresponsible actions of the Japanese government.

Efforts to eradicate the deeply rooted pro-Japanese remnants in our society have not been neglected. Through the ordinance restricting the use of symbols of Japanese imperialism in Seoul and the activities of the ‘Seoul Metropolitan Council Special Committee for the Eradication of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts,’ it contributed to eliminating Japanese colonial remnants and establishing a correct historical consciousness.

Support for independence activists and their descendants, as well as victims of the Japanese military’s comfort women system, continues at the Seoul city level. Based on the Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on the Treatment and Support of Independence Patriots, the Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on Support for Anti-Japanese Independence Movement Memorial Projects, and the Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on the Excavation and Preservation of Anti-Japanese Independence Movement Sites, the city honors independence activists and their descendants. Additionally, through the Seoul Metropolitan Ordinance on Support and Memorial Projects for Victims of the Japanese Military’s Comfort Women System during Japanese Colonial Rule, it supports the victims.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party promises the citizens that it will continue to do its utmost to protect the freedom and peace of this land, engraved with the blood and tears of the patriots.

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