Veteran Affairs Minister Kang Jeong-ae: "Kim Gu's Nationality is Korean"

Government Position Formalized

Kang Jeong-ae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated on the 20th regarding the nationality controversy of Kim Gu, “During the Japanese colonial period, the nationality of our people was Korean, and Kim Gu’s nationality is clearly Korean as well.”

Minister Kang issued a statement that day, saying, “The government’s official position is that the treaties and agreements concluded between the Korean Empire and the Empire of Japan on and before August 22, 1910, under the 1965 Korea-Japan Basic Treaty, are fundamentally null and void. Therefore, the nationality of our people during the Japanese colonial period, including Kim Gu, is Korean.”

Kang Jeong-ae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, is giving a proposal explanation related to the budget at the full meeting of the Political Affairs Committee held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Minister Kang also expressed the same position regarding Kim Gu’s nationality during the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee held on the 19th. This is interpreted as the government formalizing its stance as the issue of Kim Gu’s nationality has recently come under scrutiny, especially in political circles.

Minister Kang said, “It is regrettable that such controversies continue despite the nationality of our people during the Japanese colonial period being Korean,” and explained the purpose of her statement as Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, saying, “In this meaningful year marking the 80th anniversary of liberation, I hope that such unnecessary controversies that could undermine the important value of independence will not arise.”

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