Jang Dong-hyuk: "We intend to relocate Hong Beom-do's achievements appropriately... Ideological debates are inappropriate"

People Power Party Floor Spokesperson KBS Radio Interview

Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, addressed the ideological controversy surrounding the relocation of the bust of General Hong Beom-do, stating, "It is not about completely removing and destroying the bust of General Hong Beom-do, but rather relocating it to a place befitting his achievements, which is the essential point."

On the 31st, Jang appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' and pointed out, "It is inappropriate to frame this as completely erasing the bust and turning it into an ideological debate or a dispute over historical facts."

Jang explained, "This is not about belittling or erasing the contributions of General Hong Beom-do's independence movement. It is actually intertwined with what kind of educational institution the Korea Military Academy (KMA) is and how the soldiers it trains should perceive who the main enemy is."

On the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it is considering relocating the bust of the late General Hong Beom-do, not only within the Korea Military Academy campus but also the one installed in front of the Ministry of National Defense building if necessary. The photo shows the bust of the late General Hong Beom-do installed in front of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "There have been controversies about whether the KMA lost its educational direction or whether its perception of the main enemy became blurred as it changed its curriculum on the Korean War (June 25th Incident). Looking at General Hong Beom-do's various activities, while he made significant contributions to the independence movement, there should have been consideration and measures taken at that time regarding whether he was involved in activities that could serve as a spiritual pillar for the Communist Party or KMA cadets. Because this was lacking, such controversies seem to have arisen now," he said.

He added, "The ruling party and the Presidential Office's official stance is that the Ministry of National Defense and the KMA should discuss this matter and review the historical facts before making a decision."

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's repeated emphasis on ideology, Jang said, "Regardless of political gains or losses, if something needs to be done for the future of the Republic of Korea, he pushes forward with that conviction in his governance. Although approval ratings may not rise sharply all at once, they are gradually increasing, and I believe the public recognizes that."

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