Gwangju and Jeonnam Civil Society Urges Dismissal of Professor Kim Jaeho for "Glorifying Japanese Colonial Rule"

151 Groups Including Chonnam National University Minju Alumni Association: "Identify New Right Members... They Must Be Expelled from Campus"

On the morning of the 6th, 151 civic and social organizations from Gwangju and Jeonnam, including the Jeonnam National University Democratic Alumni Association, held a press conference in front of the Jeonnam National University Democracy Maru to condemn Professor Kim Jaeho of New Right, who supports colonial rule and dictatorship, shouting slogans. Photo by Min Chanki

Civil society organizations in Gwangju and Jeonnam have called for the dismissal of Professor Kim Jaeho of Chonnam National University, who is known for his New Right tendencies, such as glorifying Japanese colonial rule and disparaging the democratization movement.

On the morning of the 6th, 151 civil society organizations in Gwangju and Jeonnam, including the Chonnam National University Democratic Alumni Association, held a press conference in front of Minju Maru at Chonnam National University, condemning “New Right Kim Jaeho, who defends colonial rule and dictatorship,” and urged, “Immediately dismiss Professor Kim Jaeho, who has glorified Japanese colonial rule and disparaged the democratization movement.”

They stated, “We cannot contain our anger at the fact that the Academy of Korean Studies, a public institution under the Ministry of Education, distributed 'An Overview of Korean Economic History' last November, which glorifies colonial rule and disparages democratization using taxpayers’ money,” and added, “We are ashamed that the author of this book, Professor Kim Jaeho, is affiliated with Chonnam National University, the starting point of the Gwangju Uprising.”

They also pointed out, “Professor Kim has argued that ‘the May 18 Special Act infringes on freedom of thought and the press’ and that ‘Korea achieved rapid industrialization and economic growth during the Japanese colonial period,’” adding, “This is merely parroting the claims of Japanese imperialist forces, as if colonial rule promoted Korea’s growth.”

They continued, “As we mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation this year, it is necessary to identify and expel New Right figures appointed by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration for the purpose of historical distortion,” and added, “Chonnam National University must immediately dismiss Professor Kim, and Professor Kim must apologize and resign before the public.”

Heo Min, head of the Chonnam National University branch of the Professors’ Association for Democracy (professor in the Department of Earth Science at Chonnam National University), also said, “As a colleague, I am devastated that there is a professor at Chonnam National University with such a distorted view of history,” and emphasized, “Professor Kim is still teaching economic history to students with his New Right tendencies. The university and students must thoroughly sever ties with Professor Kim.”

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