Conflict over the Construction of Hong Nan-pa's Birthplace 'Modern Music Exhibition Hall' Resolved through Hwaseong City Mediation

Agreement Reached by City Public Conflict Mediation Council

The construction project of the 'Hwaseong Modern Music Exhibition Hall (tentative name)' around the birthplace of Hong Nan-pa in Namyang-eup, Hwaseong City, which had been at a standstill for years due to conflicts with local civic groups and residents over controversies regarding pro-Japanese activities, has been set in motion through Hwaseong City's mediation.

Hong Nan-pa's birthplace located in Namyang-eup, Hwaseong. The construction of the 'Hwaseong Modern Music Exhibition Hall,' which had been at a standstill due to controversies over Hong Nan-pa's pro-Japanese activities, has reached an agreement among stakeholders through active mediation by the city. Provided by Hwaseong City

Hwaseong City announced on the 13th that it recently reached an agreement among stakeholders for the construction of the 'Hwaseong Modern Music Exhibition Hall' at the Public Conflict Mediation Council meeting.

This facility is being promoted as part of the 'Spring Flower Garden in Hometown Project,' including the restoration of Hong Nan-pa's birthplace, on a 48,364㎡ site at 32 Hong Nan-pa-gil, Namyang-eup. However, the project faced obstacles due to criticism that Hong Nan-pa is listed in the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators and opposition from civic groups against honoring pro-Japanese figures.

At the council meeting, attendees agreed to develop the exhibition hall as a cultural and artistic space and to objectively display both the achievements and faults of artists in the exhibition area to educate future generations. In particular, an information board clearly indicating Hong Nan-pa’s achievements and pro-Japanese activities will be installed at his birthplace, and a separate space within the cultural and artistic exhibition hall will be designated to clearly present this information.

The meeting was attended by 10 people, including Professors Kim Hak-rin and Kim Kang-min from Dankook University’s Conflict Resolution Center; Bang Hak-jin, Planning Director of the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities; Lee Ho-heon, Operations Director of the Hwaseong Branch of the Gyeonggi Province Liberation Association; Lee Young-gu, Secretary-General of the Modern Music Exhibition Hall Project Promotion Committee; Bae Yong-young, former chairman of the Namyang-eup Residents’ Autonomy Committee; and officials from Hwaseong City.

Previously, to resolve public conflicts, the city conducted a public conflict impact analysis study last year based on expert consulting in 2023, and in November of the same year, launched the 'Public Conflict Mediation Council' composed of stakeholders, conflict experts, and public officials.

The city explained that this case is the result of proactive administration that continuously communicated with stakeholders to reach an agreement for problem resolution. Based on this agreement, the city plans to prepare a detailed project plan.

Jung Myung-geun, Mayor of Hwaseong City, said, "We will do our best to create a cultural and artistic space for residents based on the agreed opinions of the citizens."

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