Candidate Jeong Geunsik Calls for Removal of 'Garden of Gratitude' Sculpture: "Militaristic and Anachronistic"

Superintendent Candidate Visits Gwanghwamun Square on the 18th
"Gwanghwamun Should Be a Plaza for Democracy and Peace Education"
"Damaging Gwanghwamun's Historical and Educational Significance"

Jeong Geunsik, candidate for Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, visited Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the morning of the 18th and publicly urged the city to demolish the recently installed 'Garden of Gratitude' sculpture.

Jeong Geunsik, candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, is publicly urging the demolition in front of the "Garden of Gratitude" sculpture installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 18th.

After greeting commuters in the Gwanghwamun area that day, Jeong stood in front of the Garden of Gratitude sculpture and urged its removal, stating, "Gwanghwamun should be a plaza for democracy and peace education."

He said, "We must absolutely respect the value of gratitude and honor for those who have devoted and sacrificed themselves for the nation," but pointed out, "The manner in which we express gratitude should befit the dignity of a democratic republic."

He continued, "The values that Gwanghwamun Square should teach students are democracy, peace, and responsibility," and declared, "The militaristic and anachronistic Garden of Gratitude sculpture, which damages Gwanghwamun's historical and educational significance, must be corrected."

Jeong emphasized, "As an educator concerned about the spaces in which Seoul's students learn history, I could not ignore this issue," and added, "Gwanghwamun Square must remain a space where the history and memory of democracy for the citizens are alive."

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