Lee Jae-myung: "We Will Move Toward the Future Through the Shameful History of Failing to Eradicate Pro-Japanese Residues"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung posted on Facebook a photo of the past governors of Gyeonggi Province. Below the photo of Gu Ja-ok, the first governor of Gyeonggi Province, there is a caption stating that he is listed in the Encyclopedia of Pro-Japanese Collaborators.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, promised to "move forward to the future with the courage to see history as it is," stating that after liberation, South Korea failed to properly eradicate pro-Japanese remnants, and even now, past slanders and historical distortions are repeated in many places.

On the 15th, marking the 76th anniversary of liberation, Governor Lee wrote on Facebook, "Gu Ja-ok, Lee Hae-ik, Choi Moon-kyung, and Lee Heung-bae are all former governors of Gyeonggi Province listed in the pro-Japanese biographical dictionary," adding, "Last year, Gyeonggi Province appended their pro-Japanese records under the portraits of these four governors and clearly stated this fact on the provincial website."

He explained, "I briefly considered whether to remove the photos altogether, but decided against it," saying, "because I thought that would also be a distortion that hides shameful history."

Furthermore, he reflected, "Looking back on our history, South Korea regained sovereignty and its homeland through the sacrifice and dedication of countless patriotic ancestors, and with the determination to create a country that would never be invaded again, it has established itself as the world's 10th largest economy."

However, he pointed out, "The wounds left by Japanese colonial rule have still not healed," and "We missed the opportunity to eradicate pro-Japanese collaborators immediately after liberation due to the backlash from pro-Japanese vested interests, and this failure has nourished repeated past slanders and historical distortions."

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province is striving to correct the first wrong step," introducing, "In 2019, on the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, we conducted an investigation into pro-Japanese remnants, abolished the 'Gyeonggi Province Song' composed by a confirmed pro-Japanese composer, created a new song, publicized the records of local pro-Japanese figures, and installed explanatory plaques symbolizing pro-Japanese remnants at pro-Japanese monuments within the province."

Governor Lee especially emphasized, "Clearing the past is not about being stuck in the past or seeking revenge, but about fairly revealing both proud and shameful history," and pledged, "On the 76th Liberation Day, I will move forward to the future based on the courage to face the wrong history head-on."