Mental Alertness vs North Korean-Style Idolization... Park Chung-hee Square Conservative and Progressive 'Counter-Protests'

Five Opposition Parties in Daegu Hold Citizens' Rally to Condemn Hong Jun-pyo
Cha Gyu-geun: "Park Chung-hee Swore Loyalty to Japan with Blood Pledge"
Conservative Groups Support Installing Statue to Honor Spirit of Industrialization

Daegu city officials taking a commemorative photo in front of the Park Chung-hee Square sign. Photo by Yonhap News

In Daegu Metropolitan City, pro and con rallies related to 'Park Chung-hee Square' were held simultaneously on the same day.

The Democratic Party of Korea and the Daegu-area five opposition parties, including the Anti-Park Chung-hee Idolization Civic Movement Headquarters, held the '4th Citizens' Rally Against the Park Chung-hee Idolization Project and Condemning Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo' last weekend in Dongsung-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu.

They condemned the recent naming of the plaza in front of Dongdaegu Station as 'Park Chung-hee Square' by the Daegu city government and the installation of the signboard. About 100 people, including Cha Gyu-geun, chairman of the Daegu branch of the Party for National Innovation, Han Min-jung, chairwoman of the Daegu branch of the Justice Party, and representatives of civic groups, attended the rally.

Chairman Cha Gyu-geun said on the day, "How can you erect a signboard of Park Chung-hee, who pledged loyalty to Japan with a blood oath, in front of Dongdaegu Station just a day before Liberation Day?" He added, "Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is pushing forward the idolization work of North Korea, which he dislikes so much, here in Daegu."

Meanwhile, at the same time across the street, a counter-rally by conservative groups welcoming the installation of a statue of former President Park was held. The National Salvation Daegu Struggle Headquarters and the Daegu Action Right-wing Citizens' Union defended the move, saying, "It is natural to honor the industrialization spirit of former President Park."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea's Daegu branch filed a complaint with the prosecution on the 19th, claiming that the signboard installed in front of Dongdaegu Station was installed illegally and without permission, accusing Mayor Hong.

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