Lee Jae-myung "Courage to Face Wrong History" Lee Nak-yeon "All Efforts for Peace and Restoration of Daily Life"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] On the 76th anniversary of Liberation Day, ruling party presidential candidates emphasized the need to clear pro-Japanese collaborators.

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, said on Facebook on the 15th, "The wounds left by Japanese colonial rule have still not healed," adding, "We missed the opportunity to clear pro-Japanese collaborators immediately after liberation due to the backlash from pro-Japanese vested interests, and this failure has nourished repeated past history slanders and historical distortions."

In the case of Gyeonggi Province, to mark the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement in 2019, an investigation into pro-Japanese remnants was conducted, resulting in the abolition of the 'Gyeonggi Province Song' created by a composer confirmed to have pro-Japanese activities, and a new song was created. They also reported that they are working on informing the public about the activities of local pro-Japanese figures and installing explanatory plaques symbolizing pro-Japanese remnants at pro-Japanese monuments within the province.

Governor Lee said, "Clearing the past is not about being stuck in the past or seeking revenge," adding, "Both proud and shameful histories should be fairly revealed. Only by fairly evaluating the past 100 years of history can we prepare for the next 100 years." He pledged, "I will move forward to the future based on the courage to face the wrong history."

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon reflected on the significance of the repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains, saying, "No matter how far the spirit of a patriot rests, it has become possible to pass down the precious history that 'the nation will surely remember' to our children."

He continued, "Just as General Hong Beom-do’s spirit has returned to our land and the great lives of patriots are fully honored, today’s special Liberation Day is a day when we dream that many of the issues we face will find their place and be completed," adding, "I earnestly hope that the temporarily halted path to inter-Korean peace will be reconnected and that the distances between people caused by COVID-19 will be restored." He further stated, "I will devote all my efforts to the work of resuming peace, restoring daily life, and turning current difficulties into a leap forward."

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "The pro-Japanese remnants that have not been cleared remain as pro-Japanese media and pro-Japanese privileged groups, still dominating South Korea," and pledged to "carry out proper reforms and establish justice."

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae said, "The cartel of prosecution, media, politics, and police is the last remnant that was not cleared after liberation," urging, "Let us arm ourselves again with the spirit of the anti-Japanese independence movement." Meanwhile, Representative Park Yong-jin said, "We will firmly correct issues such as Japan’s refusal to admit wrongdoing and negligence in compensation." Representative Kim Doo-kwan said, "Liberation is still incomplete," adding, "We must complete liberation through peace, prosperity, and coexistence."