"Thought North Korean Compatriots Were Coming" Controversy Over Raising 'Korean Peninsula Flag' Instead of Taegeukgi Ahead of Liberation Day

Anyang City Displays Over 70 Korean Peninsula Flags in the City to Commemorate Gwangbokjeol
Expert: "The Taegukgi Should Principally Be Raised on National Holidays"

The Korean Peninsula flag hanging around Pyeongchon Central Park in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do./Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] To commemorate the August 15 Liberation Day, Anyang City in Gyeonggi Province raised about 70 Korean Peninsula flags around Pyeongchon Central Park, sparking controversy. Some pointed out that it is inappropriate to raise the Korean Peninsula flag instead of the national flag on a national holiday celebrating the country's joyous occasion.

The city explained that the Korean Peninsula flag was raised to pray for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula in commemoration of Liberation Day, and that they are currently considering raising both the national flag and the Korean Peninsula flag together. Experts suggested that, in principle, the national flag should be raised on national holidays.

A citizen A, who works in Anyang, recently felt puzzled upon seeing the Korean Peninsula flags raised on the streets. Although he understood the intention to commemorate the upcoming Liberation Day, only the Korean Peninsula flags were hung around the streets without the national flag.

A said, "For a moment, I thought North Korean compatriots were visiting Anyang in groups," and added, "Even if it carries the wish for reunification, I thought this was a bit strange. Was the flag that our people waved joyfully on August 15, 1945, Liberation Day, the Korean Peninsula flag?"

He continued, "If you really want to hang the Korean Peninsula flag, shouldn't it be hung together with the Taegeukgi?" and said, "I am also one of those who strongly desire the reunification of our country, but this seems a bit off."

Earlier, Anyang City announced that from the 3rd, the Korean Peninsula flag would be raised on the flagpole in front of the city hall to commemorate Liberation Day and pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Currently, the Korean Peninsula flag is hung next to the Taegeukgi on the flagpole in front of Anyang City Hall, and from the 13th, about 70 Korean Peninsula flags were confirmed to be raised around Pyeongchon Central Park.

The Korean Peninsula flag on the flagpole in front of the city hall is scheduled to be raised until the 31st of this month, and the Korean Peninsula flags hung around Pyeongchon Central Park will be raised until the 22nd.

On the 3rd, in front of Anyang City Hall's flagpole, Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang (third from the left) along with the heads of three civic groups including the 6·15 Joint Declaration Practice Gyeonggi Central Headquarters raised the Korean Peninsula flag wishing for peace between the North and South. / Photo by Anyang City Hall

The Korean Peninsula flag was first used in 1991 during the formation of the unified North-South team at the 41st World Table Tennis Championships in Chiba, Japan. Later, it became a symbol of peace between North and South Korea when the North and South Korean teams entered holding the Korean Peninsula flag at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The Korean Peninsula flag was created to jointly symbolize North and South Korea when a unified team was formed at international events such as the Olympics and World Championships, and it is used when North and South Korea enter jointly at international competitions or at joint events wishing for reunification.

While the Korean Peninsula flag can be used at related events to wish for peace and reunification, it is not officially a national flag. Furthermore, according to Article 8 of the National Flag Act, the Taegeukgi, the national flag of the Republic of Korea, must be raised on national holidays.

In response to criticism regarding the raising of the Korean Peninsula flag for Liberation Day, the city stated that it is considering raising the Taegeukgi and the Korean Peninsula flag together. A city official said on the 13th, "This project was implemented following a proposal from a civic group to raise the Korean Peninsula flag, and currently, due to complaints, we are discussing the possibility of raising it together with the Taegeukgi."

Experts suggested that, in principle, the national flag should be raised on national holidays.

Professor Ko Tae-woo of Seoul National University’s Department of Korean History said, "It is appropriate to raise the Taegeukgi on national holidays including Liberation Day," and added, "I think it is possible to raise the Korean Peninsula flag together to emphasize Korean reunification, but considering the current inter-Korean relations and other circumstances, raising only the Korean Peninsula flag on national holidays could be problematic. In such matters, public opinion should be gathered. In principle, it should be done according to the national flag raising laws."