Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Clarifies "Considered Miniature Production"
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been embroiled in controversy over the restoration of the former Governor-General of Joseon’s residence. The ministry clarified that "it was considering the creation of a small model, not a restoration."
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism clarified that the controversy over the restoration of the old Blue House main building, which was formerly used as the residence of the Governor-General of Joseon, is due to "consideration of making a small model."
On the 22nd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a press release stating, "The restoration of the old Blue House main building is not true," and explained, "We are not restoring the actual building but are considering making a small model (miniature) to guide visitors about its appearance 30 years ago."
On the 21st, Minister Park Bo-gyun of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced five key tasks, including a blueprint for utilizing the Blue House, during a new government work plan report to President Yoon Seok-yeol.
Among these, the plan to promote model restoration on the site of the old main building of the Blue House sparked controversy.
The old Blue House main building was completed in 1939 and was used as the residence of the Governor-General of Joseon and the U.S. military commander. In 1948, it was used as the office and residence of the first President Syngman Rhee, known as Gyeongmudae. Subsequently, former Presidents Yun Bo-seon, Park Chung-hee, Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, and Roh Tae-woo also used the building until it was demolished in 1993 during the administration of former President Kim Young-sam. At that time, President Kim demolished the main building along with the Governor-General’s Office building to restore national pride and spirit.
The opposition party criticized the government plan. On the 22nd, Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a statement, "There is concern that they might also restore a model of the Central Government Building, which was the Governor-General’s Office," and raised her voice, saying, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should clearly explain where the idea of restoring a building constructed to sever the national spirit as a remnant of Japanese colonial rule came from."
On the previous day, Jeon Jae-soo, a member of the same party, also pointed out on social media, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is reportedly promoting the restoration of a model of the old Blue House main building. I do not understand this," and added, "We need to confirm through government questioning who and what kind of thinking is behind this restoration plan."
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