[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Sujin Lee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has declared that she will definitely revise the bill to reorganize the burial sites of pro-Japanese collaborators such as the late General Baek Seon-yeop, who is interred at the National Cemetery. In response, former Future United Party lawmaker Eonju Lee has opposed, calling it "an act of impiety."
On the 13th, Lee posted on her Facebook, "The National Cemetery is a space where the 'nation' promises to eternally remember and honor those who made noble sacrifices for the 'nation,' but even now, the graves of pro-Japanese collaborators remain unaddressed next to those of independence activists," adding, "Eradicating the remnants of pro-Japanese collaborators is the starting point for building a proper nation."
She continued, "We must no longer repeat the principle-less confusion where nationalist figures who fought against Japanese colonial rule and anti-nationalists who collaborated with Japan are both revered as individuals who sacrificed for the country."
Lee emphasized, "Revising the Awards Act and the National Cemetery Act is about establishing justice correctly and providing appropriate honors to those who devoted themselves to the country," adding, "Setting the National Cemetery right is a historical duty given to the 21st National Assembly, and I will strive to pass the amendments to the Awards Act and the National Cemetery Act within my term."
Earlier, at the 'Setting the National Cemetery History Right' event held at the Seoul National Cemetery in May, Lee stated, "While those buried so far are problematic, in the case of Baek Seon-yeop (then alive), there is potential for issues," and added, "To set history right, it is proper to exhume the graves of pro-Japanese collaborators. I will create a law for the exhumation of pro-Japanese graves."
In response, former lawmaker Eonju Lee posted on her Facebook the same day, condemning, "It truly brings tears to my eyes. Where on earth is this country heading?"
She continued, "No matter how much they are a leftist pro-North Korea group with anti-establishment tendencies, I never imagined it would come to this extent, insulting the defenders of free Korea and driving a nail into the hearts of the people," and pointed out, "This is an act of impiety. If not, then was your homeland not the 'free' Republic of Korea?"
Meanwhile, General Baek Seon-yeop, the first four-star general in South Korea, passed away on July 10 and was interred at the Daejeon National Cemetery. This is expected to reignite the controversy over the exhumation of General Baek Seon-yeop's burial site.
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