Gyeonggi Council Democratic Party "Resign Minister Lee Jong-seop who shook the nation's foundation and insulted independence activists"

Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Provincial Council

The Democratic Party of Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly urged, "Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, who announced plans to relocate the busts of five figures including General Kim Jwa-jin, must resign immediately."

On the 30th, the Democratic Party of Gyeonggi Assembly issued a statement saying, "Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop announced plans to relocate the busts of five independence activists?Kim Jwa-jin, Hong Beom-do, Lee Hoe-young, Lee Beom-seok, and Ji Cheong-cheon?located in front of the central entrance of the Chungmugwan building at the Korea Military Academy, but later withdrew the plan except for the bust of General Hong Beom-do," pointing out that "the reason given was controversy over General Hong Beom-do’s history, including his membership and activities in the Soviet Communist Party."

They continued, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration is trying to erase the history of the independence movement by imposing ideological shackles even on independence activists," lamenting, "They completely ignore the obvious fact that 'the roots of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces lie in the independence army and the Liberation Army,' and have insulted independence activists through outdated ideological debates."

In particular, they stated, "What is even more deplorable is the plan to erect a bust of Baek Seon-yeop, who suppressed the independence army, in the place where General Hong Beom-do’s bust was to be relocated," asserting, "Baek Seon-yeop was designated as a pro-Japanese collaborator by the Committee for the Investigation of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts, established directly under former President Lee Myung-bak."

The Democratic Party of Gyeonggi Assembly said, "This completely incomprehensible and unreasonable action by the Ministry of National Defense is largely triggered by President Yoon Seok-yeol," criticizing, "On the 15th, during the Liberation Day commemorative speech marking independence from Japanese invasion and oppression, President Yoon referred to 'communist totalitarian forces,' accusing opposition parties, civic groups, and labor unions of being communist forces."

They added, "President Yoon also praised Japan as 'a partner sharing universal values and pursuing common interests,' revealing his pro-Japanese stance," and noted, "As a result, public anger, including from the Liberation Association, is growing uncontrollably."

Finally, the Democratic Party of Gyeonggi Assembly stated, "The plan to relocate General Hong Beom-do’s bust must be withdrawn," and strongly urged, "Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop must take responsibility for this tragic situation that shakes the foundation of the nation and insults independence activists, and resign immediately."

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