Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival → Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival
The name of the 'Masan Chrysanthemum Festival' in Changwon, Gyeongnam, will be changed to 'Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival' after much controversy.
The Changwon City Council held its 136th extraordinary session, second plenary meeting, on the afternoon of the 22nd and passed a partial amendment to the 'Changwon City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Festivals,' which includes the name change of the Masan Chrysanthemum Festival.
At the 2nd plenary session of the 136th extraordinary meeting of Changwon City Council in Gyeongnam, the partial amendment ordinance (alternative) to the "Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Festivals in Changwon City," which includes the name change of the Masan Chrysanthemum Festival, has been passed. Photo by Lee Seryoung
The original amendment was scheduled to be reviewed by the Culture, Environment, and Urban Committee, but due to sharp opposition, lack of sufficient public opinion gathering, and insufficient deliberation time within the council, the committee chair did not reconvene the meeting, resulting in the agenda not being submitted.
Ultimately, members of the People Power Party submitted an alternative amendment, and the chairperson exercised authority to bring it to a plenary vote.
Out of 45 total members, 43 were present, with 24 in favor, 18 against, and 1 abstention, resulting in the passage of the alternative. The council is composed of 27 People Power Party members and 18 Democratic Party members.
Previously, Democratic Party member Park Haejung proposed a motion to postpone both the amendment and its alternative, but it was rejected with 18 in favor, 24 against, and 1 abstention.
'Gagopa' is a song created by poet Lee Eunsang, who was born in old Masan, reminiscing about his hometown Masan Bay, with music composed by Kim Dongjin.
However, separate from the poet's artistic achievements, claims that he supported dictatorship and was anti-democratic have fueled ongoing debate. Recently, as Changwon City expressed its intent to revert the current Masan Chrysanthemum Festival to the name Masan Gagopa Festival, which was chosen through a 2005 contest, the controversy has intensified.
Jung Sunwook, chairman of the Changwon City Cultural Environment City Committee, is explaining the reason for not submitting the ordinance proposal. / Photo by Lee Seryeong
Rival party members, who have long been divided over the issue, continued to clash during the five-minute free speech session and in debates for and against the ordinance during the plenary meeting.
Nam Jaeuk of the People Power Party stated, "Defining the region's identity based on only one side's values in Changwon, a sacred place for both democratization and industrialization, distorts the dedication and sacrifice of the citizens for historical progress. It is unacceptable to argue that the title 'Gagopa,' from a poem by Lee Eunsang, who received a national medal for his role in the independence movement but supported presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chunghee, should not be used for a local festival."
He added, "The name Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival was chosen by both domestic and international tourists and citizens. Please consider restoring the name to Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival so that we can preserve our valuable cultural asset and the name 'Gagopa' created by Changwon citizens."
Park Seonae, also of the People Power Party, said, "The relevant committee chair did not submit this ordinance by his authority," and questioned, "Why should Lee Eunsang's 'Gagopa' become a subject of ideology due to pressure from certain left-leaning groups?"
Gu Jeomdeuk stated, "Bad history or good history is still history. If the older generation buries one side by selectively judging history, what will remain for future generations? Those curious about 'Gagopa' will learn about Lee Eunsang's actions, the spirit of March 15, and the April 19 Revolution, thus learning Changwon's history."
Democratic Party member Jeong Sunwook clarified, "The reason it was not submitted to the committee was due to a procedural issue?the proposal deadline was June 3, but it was submitted on July 1. It was not because of any issue with Lee Eunsang."
Moon Sunkyu stated, "Lee Eunsang referred to the March 15 Uprising in Masan as reckless excitement and a demonstration that lost intellect. If his literary achievements are to be recognized in the private sector, I won't object, but attaching 'Gagopa' to the Chrysanthemum Festival is not appropriate. If we want the festival to succeed, the name change should be withdrawn."
Democratic Party lawmakers are leaving the meeting room after the partial amendment ordinance (alternative) of the "Changwon City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Festivals," which includes the name change of the Masan Chrysanthemum Festival, was passed. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Just before the plenary session, Democratic Party council members who had protested at the entrance holding signs reading "Strongly Oppose Unilateral Submission" immediately walked out when the ordinance passed.
They held a press conference in front of the council, strongly condemning Chairperson Son Taehwa for disrupting the council only 22 days after the launch of the second half of the term and demanded an official statement from him.
They added, "We will seek legal advice regarding violations of council rules and internal ordinance proposal standards during the alternative's submission process and decide on future actions." Civil society groups such as the March 15 Uprising Memorial Association, Buma Democratic Uprising Memorial Foundation, and Kim Juyeol Martyr Memorial Association also criticized the passage of the ordinance.
The Barun Changwon Citizens' Coalition, a coalition of over 40 organizations in Masan, stated, "We must no longer tolerate those who spread unspeakable rumors about independence activists. We will file a defamation lawsuit against the deceased, hold a protest against Chairman Jeong Sunwook, and initiate a recall process for Councilor Moon Sunkyu."
The Masan Chrysanthemum Festival began in 2000 as the Masan Chrysanthemum Festival and was called the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival from 2005 to 2018 after an international naming contest.
In 2019, the name was simplified to Masan Chrysanthemum Festival in line with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's recommendation, but with the passage of the ordinance, it will once again be called the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival starting this fall.
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