Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs-Gwangju City Conflict over 'Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park'... Controversy over State-Sponsored Demonstrations

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung "Stop Attempting Controlled Demonstrations"
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik "Fake News... Legal Action"

Amid ongoing conflicts between the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Gwangju Metropolitan City over the 'Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park' development project, controversy has erupted over allegations of a 'state-organized demonstration.'

On the 30th of last month, approximately 1,900 members from 12 nationwide veterans' organizations held a rally opposing the 'Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park development project' in front of Gwangju City Hall. Some media outlets reported signs of a state-organized demonstration.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, which is demanding the withdrawal of the Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park project, is said to have mobilized government-affiliated groups to hold the opposition rally and supported participants' transportation and lunch expenses.

On the 31st of last month, at an executive meeting held in the Gwangju City Hall conference room, Mayor Kang Gi-jung addressed the controversy surrounding the Jeong Yul-seong memorial project, stating, "There have been continuous media reports that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs mobilized government-affiliated groups to lead government-organized protests," and warned, "The Ministry must immediately stop attempts to distort Gwangju through state-organized demonstrations."

On the afternoon of the 30th, members of veterans' organizations held a rally in front of Gwangju City Hall, urging the complete withdrawal of Gwangju City's 'Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park Development Project.' Photo by Yonhap News

Mayor Kang recalled, "In 2013, then-Director Park Seung-chun of the Veterans Affairs Office prohibited the singing of the 'March for the Beloved,' which I remember clearly," adding, "There was an ideological controversy over the lyrics, with claims that 'new day' referred to North Korea. It was an attempt to frame the May 18 Democratic Uprising ideologically and isolate Gwangju."

He continued, "As a member of the National Assembly representing Gwangju for six years, I fought against such attempts. I remember those times vividly," raising his voice to demand an end to such efforts.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs denied the allegations of a state-organized demonstration as 'fake news' and announced legal action. On the 1st, Minister Park Min-sik stated on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "This is not an era where the government organizes and directs demonstrations. It is truly reckless to fabricate such fake news."

Minister Park criticized, "Mayor Kang seems to be cornered right now," and said, "Since there is no proper answer to the fundamental issues, he keeps forcibly picking on peripheral matters."

He added, "We have started (legal measures)," and said, "Such remarks completely insult our veterans' organization members as well as members and leaders of the three May 18 organizations in Gwangju."

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