Lee Jun-seok "We won't rename Jinyeong Station to Roh Moo-hyun Birthplace Station"
Yoon Sang-hyun "Let's change both" Supports station name revision
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Gumi City in Gyeongbuk is facing controversy over the decision to rename the newly established 'Sagok Station'?part of the Daegu Metropolitan Railroad Project?to 'Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station.'
Even within the People Power Party, there are opposing views on whether it is appropriate to use the name of former President Park Chung-hee. Sagok Station is not a KTX stop but a subway station, so some argue that using the name of a former president is not fitting.
On the 19th, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok posted on Facebook, stating, "Sagok Station should not become Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station." He said, "Sagok Station is not a KTX stop but just a subway station," and added, "If you truly respect President Park Chung-hee, you should not give such a name."
Lee also mentioned that Jinyeong Station, a KTX stop near Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam?where former President Roh Moo-hyun's birthplace is located?is not called 'Roh Moo-hyun Birthplace Station.' He further stated, "Thinking that attaching former President Park's name to the station will increase tourism demand or visitors is completely illogical."
On the other hand, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun expressed support for the station name change. Yoon pointed out, "Lee said that just as it did not become Roh Moo-hyun Birthplace Station, Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station should not be created either, but this is not about neither being done; it is a matter to consider doing both."
He continued, "The largest international airport in the U.S., New York JFK International Airport, is named after former President John F. Kennedy, and similarly, France's Charles de Gaulle Airport, the main gateway to the European continent, is named after him," adding, "If national consensus is reached, Korea should not be stingy about leaving former presidents' names on station or airport names."
Earlier, from the 30th of last month to the 8th of this month, Gumi City announced a public opinion survey for changing the name of Sagok Station and received suggestions such as 'Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station,' 'Park Chung-hee Station,' 'Jeongsu Station,' and 'Saemaeul Station.' Among these, it was decided to change the name to 'Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station.'
Gumi City is actively promoting commemorative projects to honor former President Park's achievements and to develop the area around his birthplace into a tourist attraction. Recently, it also announced plans to build a new memorial space called Sungmogwan dedicated to President Park.
This revision of Sagok Station's name is interpreted as part of these commemorative projects. It is known that if the name 'Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station' does not pass the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's review, Gumi City plans to propose to the Station Name Subcommittee to list it as 'Sagok Station (Park Chung-hee Birthplace Station)' with the latter in parentheses.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
