Lee Jong-chan, President of Gwangbokhoe, "Do not appoint pro-Japanese collaborators to key positions, but expel them"

Lee Jong-chan, Chairman of the Liberation Association, on the 21st, repeatedly urged the withdrawal of the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as Director of the Independence Hall, saying, "What we are fighting for this time is to stop putting pro-Japanese collaborators in key government positions and to kick them out."

On this day, Chairman Lee stated at the congratulatory speech of the 'Academic Forum on Social Contribution of the Claims against Japan' hosted by the Liberation Association at the Yeouido Liberation Hall, "The government is mishearing and saying that I am being stubborn. This is not stubbornness. It is a crisis."

Lee Jong-chan, President of the Liberation Association, is delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony of the 23rd President of the Liberation Association held on June 22 at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He pointed out, "They appointed a bogus Director of the Independence Hall, and the President of the Academy of Korean Studies is the author of the book 'Anti-Japan Tribalism.' Why do they keep appointing such people?"

In particular, regarding those who claim former President Syngman Rhee as the 'Founding President,' he raised his voice, saying, "It is tantamount to selling the country to Japan."

He added, "Pro-Japanese collaborators cleverly praise Syngman Rhee as the 'Founding President.' Behind this is a covert message that (before 1945) our nation did not exist," and emphasized, "Syngman Rhee never said (that our country did not exist before 1945). (Pro-Japanese collaborators) use Syngman Rhee, sell him out, pretend to support him, but in reality, they are exploiting him."

Chairman Lee said, "New Right people say we should forgive (Japan)," and stressed, "It would be authoritative if descendants of independence activists like the Liberation Association say, 'Let's stop now, it's okay to forgive.'"

He added, "Opposing the regime vehemently means, please wake up and become a dignified country," and said, "We must have dignity, not hostility toward Japan, and firmly establish our position as an independent sovereign nation."

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