Lee Jae-myung: "Past Agency Heads' Pro-Japanese Actions Must Be Marked... Mentioning Pro-Japanese Actions Should Continue at the National Level"

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung (left) visited the Liberation Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on the 1st and took a commemorative photo holding the Taegukgi flag of Jingwansa Temple together with Kim Won-woong, Chairman of the Liberation Association. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, asserted that "the pro-Japanese actions of past agency heads should be indicated."

On the 1st, Lee visited the Gwangbokhoe in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and when asked by reporters whether he plans to expand the policy of noting the pro-Japanese records of past governors, which he promoted during his tenure as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, if he comes to power, he responded accordingly.

He said, "Pro-Japanese figures have occupied important positions in the government of the Republic of Korea, but when marking past agency heads, only their subsequent records are noted," adding, "Some argue for the disposal of records related to pro-Japanese figures, but I have a different view. These should not be erased; rather, they must also be recorded."

He continued, "I consider that as part of history, so I added notes about pro-Japanese actions under the records of Gyeonggi Province governors," and explained, "References to pro-Japanese actions should continue at the national level as well."

He further stated, "Rather than the Republic of Korea being formed entirely by virtuous citizens on a blank slate, the unfortunate history of failing to purge pro-Japanese collaborators, who instead participated as the main pillars of the new Korean government, still seems to have a significant impact on today's Republic of Korea."

Lee said, "We must record, remember, and provide appropriate compensation and respect to those who made special sacrifices for our community so that when the community faces crises again, people will be willing to step forward and dedicate themselves to the country," and added, "I will strive to establish the idea that sacrifice and dedication for the community in everyday life can be respected."

Regarding specific policies, he explained, "There are suggestions from Gwangbokhoe and various policies being promoted in Gyeonggi Province," and said, "I will explain them all at once when the opportunity arises."

Meanwhile, in January last year, Gyeonggi Province recorded the pro-Japanese actions under the portraits of former governors Gu Ja-ok, Lee Hae-ik, Choi Moon-kyung, and Lee Heung-bae, who were the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 10th governors, respectively, among the portraits hung in the new government building. This fact was also noted on the official Gyeonggi Province website.

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