Lee Jae-myung: "Revealing Even Embarrassing History Is the True Resolution of the Past"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated on the 15th, marking the 76th Liberation Day, that "clearing the past means fairly revealing even the shameful history."

In a post on social networking service (SNS) that day, Lee said, "Clearing the past is not about being stuck in the past or seeking revenge. It is about fairly revealing both the proud and shameful history," adding, "Only by fairly evaluating the past 100 years of history can we prepare for a new 100 years of history." He continued, "On the 76th Liberation Day, I pledge to move forward into the future based on the courage to face the wrong history."

Lee mentioned that the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 10th governors of Gyeonggi Province are listed in the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators, saying, "Last year, Gyeonggi Province appended the pro-Japanese records under the portraits of these four governors and clearly stated this fact on the provincial website." He added, "I briefly considered removing the photos altogether, but I refrained because I thought that would also be a distortion that hides the shameful history."

He said, "In Gyeonggi Province, we are 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, and created a new song. We are also working to publicize the records of local pro-Japanese figures and install explanatory plaques symbolizing pro-Japanese remnants at pro-Japanese monuments within the province."

Lee stated, "The Republic of Korea regained its sovereignty and homeland through the sacrifice and dedication of countless patriotic ancestors. With the determination to create a country that will never be invaded again, Korea has established itself as the world's 10th largest economy," but he pointed out, "However, the wounds left by Japanese colonial rule have not yet healed. We missed the opportunity to clear pro-Japanese collaborators immediately after liberation due to the resistance of pro-Japanese vested interests, and this failure has nourished repeated past history slanders and historical distortions."