Hong-gul Kim Proposes Bill to Relocate Pro-Japanese Collaborators from National Cemetery... "Unacceptable"

Kim Hong-gul, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending and speaking at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] On the 1st, Kim Hong-gul, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed a revision to the "Act on the Installation and Operation of National Cemeteries" to relocate pro-Japanese and anti-national collaborators and those whose honors have been revoked outside the national cemetery.

Rep. Kim explained the purpose of the proposal, stating, "It is unacceptable for those who committed pro-Japanese and anti-national acts to be buried together with national merit recipients in the national cemetery." The bill targets pro-Japanese and anti-national collaborators and those whose honors have been revoked as decided by the Committee for the Investigation of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts, including a provision requiring the Director of the Veterans Affairs to order the relocation of those who have lost their burial qualifications outside the national cemetery.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision to install a separate marker if the Director of the Veterans Affairs orders relocation due to loss of burial qualifications but the individual does not comply.

Rep. Kim emphasized, "It is against public sentiment for national merit recipients who devoted themselves to the country and pro-Japanese and anti-national collaborators to be buried together in the national cemetery," adding, "We must enhance the honor of the national cemetery and properly commemorate the loyalty and spirit of the national merit recipients."

The revision bill was co-sponsored by 10 lawmakers, including Kang Hoon-sik, Kim Kyung-man, Kim Seung-won, Park Young-soon, Lee Soo-jin (representing Dongjak District), Lee Yong-woo, Lee Hyung-seok, Jung Pil-mo, and Choi Jong-yoon.