Democratic Party and Progressive Party Urge Withdrawal of Independence Hall Director Appointment

Lee Jeongmoon Says "Turning the Sacred Place of the Nation into Shame"
Progressive Party Cheonan Committee "Appoint Someone Who Will Not Undermine the Spirit of Independence"

Kim Hyungseok, a New Right scholar and chairman of the Korea History and Future Foundation, has been appointed as the new director of the Independence Hall located in Cheonan, Chungnam, sparking strong opposition from local political circles. Independence Hall Kore House view. Photo by Kim Kyungdong

The appointment of Kim Hyungseok, a New Right scholar and chairman of the Korea History and Future Foundation, as the new director of the Independence Hall of Korea located in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, has sparked strong opposition from local political circles.

Lee Jungmoon, a National Assembly member from the Democratic Party of Korea (Cheonan-byeong district), issued a press release on the 7th, calling for the withdrawal of Kim Hyungseok's appointment as director of the Independence Hall and the resignation of Kang Jeongae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

Lee stated, "We requested the submission of the list of members of the Independence Hall Director Recommendation Committee and the list of candidates for the director position, but the Ministry is refusing to provide the data, citing it as classified information," adding, "The Ministry's refusal to submit these materials violates Articles 2 and 4 of the National Assembly Testimony and Appraisal Act. Minister Kang Jeongae, who has the authority to recommend the director, should acknowledge this personnel mistake and resign immediately."

He continued, "We condemn the actions of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, which has turned the Independence Hall, a sacred site of the nation, into a day of disgrace and trampled on the honor and pride of Cheonan citizens," emphasizing, "Together with the citizens of Cheonan, we will carry on the spirit of the martyrs who devoted themselves to Korea's independence and fight vigorously to cancel the appointment of Kim Hyungseok as director of the Independence Hall."

The Cheonan City Committee of the Progressive Party also issued a statement on the same day, demanding the withdrawal of Kim Hyungseok's appointment as director of the Independence Hall.

The Cheonan City Committee of the Progressive Party strongly criticized, "With less than ten days left before the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day, how can we face the martyrs who gave their lives fighting against Japanese colonial rule and ultimately won independence for our country?"

They further stated, "In February, a proponent of the colonial modernization theory was appointed as a board member of the Independence Hall, and last month, a New Right-affiliated figure was appointed as the new president of the Academy of Korean Studies," urging, "The Independence Hall Director Recommendation Committee should immediately withdraw the nomination and reappoint someone who will not undermine the spirit of independence."

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