Growing Controversy Over 'Baek Seon-yeop's Exhumation'... Criticism from Yoon Sang-hyun and Ha Tae-gyeong Following Won Hee-ryong

General Baek Seon-yeop. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the burial of retired General Baek Seon-yeop, hailed as a hero of the Korean War, at the National Cemetery, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Chairman Yoon Sang-hyun, and Future United Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung have voiced criticism. This follows media reports that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, currently pushing for amendments to the National Cemetery Act, may exhume General Baek, who has pro-Japanese activities in his past.

On the 28th, Chairman Yoon posted on his Facebook, "The absurd measure by the Moon Jae-in administration’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs that General Baek cannot be enshrined at the Seoul National Cemetery must be immediately revoked," raising his voice, "General Baek is the benefactor who saved this country during the Korean War."

He pointed out, "Even if there is a shortage of space at the Seoul National Cemetery, it is the country’s duty, courtesy, and dignity to make room somehow to enshrine him," adding, "But to insult such a national hero by saying, 'Even if enshrined at the Seoul National Cemetery, there could be a case of exhumation,' is not the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs but a Ministry of National Disgrace."

Lawmaker Ha also said, "Preventing General Baek from being enshrined at the National Cemetery is equivalent to denying the eligibility of all soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the Republic of Korea," and added, "It is the same as calling for the exhumation of all patriotic martyrs currently resting at the National Cemetery. The ruling party must immediately halt the push to amend the 'National Cemetery Act.'"

Governor Won also emphasized on his Facebook on the 27th, "There must be a place prepared for General Baek at the Seoul National Cemetery," stating, "General Baek is a hero of the Korean War who saved the Republic of Korea. He can be regarded as the 'Yi Sun-sin of the Korean War.'"

The ruling party opposes, arguing that pro-Japanese activities cannot be forgiven as merits and that General Baek should not be enshrined at the National Cemetery. Kim Hong-gul, a Democratic Party of Korea member-elect, wrote on Facebook, "The crimes of pro-Japanese military personnel did not end during the Japanese colonial period but also include massacres of civilians during the Korean War and cooperation with military dictatorship, so their wartime merits alone cannot be forgiven."