Kim Hyungseok Appointed as Director of Independence Hall Amid Opposition from Liberation Association and Others

Protest at Independence Hall by the Liberation Association
Cheonan Civic Groups, Democratic Party, Justice Party, and Progressive Party Oppose

On the 8th, members of the Liberation Association issued a statement opposing the appointment of Director Kim Hyungseok at the Independence Hall.

On the 8th, Kim Hyungseok, chairman of the Foundation for Korean History and Future, was inaugurated as the 13th Director of the Independence Hall of Korea, amid strong opposition from the Liberation Association, civic groups, and local political circles.

According to the Independence Hall on the 8th, the new director Kim held his inauguration ceremony that day and officially began his duties.

As chairman of the Korean History and Future Foundation, he has announced plans for re-examining and promoting lesser-known independence activists, and has conducted various research activities such as "A Study on Independence Activist Namgang Lee Seunghun," "National Movement of Kim Byeongjo during Japanese Colonial Rule," and "The History War That Must End."

At the inauguration ceremony, he presented the following key initiatives: successful hosting of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day in cooperation with the government, revitalization of the Institute for Korean Independence Movement History, enhancement of exhibition and educational programs, and advancement of institutional management innovation.

Even before his inauguration, Director Kim was embroiled in controversy over his qualifications, having been identified as a New Right figure.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony on the 8th, members of the Liberation Association issued a statement at the Independence Hall opposing Kim's appointment, while the Cheonan Democratic Solidarity, a coalition of civic groups in Cheonan, held an emergency press conference at Cheonan City Hall urging his resignation.

The Liberation Association members stated, "Descendants of independence patriots strongly urged the organizations of independence patriots to halt the appointment of Kim Hyungseok as director, yet appointing a New Right figure who glorified Japanese colonial rule as the director of the Independence Hall, a sacred place for the independence movement and spirit, is unacceptable."

They further criticized, "Appointing a pro-Japanese figure who devalues the Provisional Government, asserts 1948 as the founding day of the nation, and claims that our people were subjects of Japan during the Japanese imperial era as the director of the Independence Hall is an unforgivable crime against history, and the descendants of independence patriots declare an indefinite struggle."

The Cheonan Democratic Organizations Solidarity held a press conference on the 8th at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room, urging the resignation of Kim Hyungseok, the newly appointed director of the Independence Hall.

The Cheonan Democratic Solidarity also announced the formation of the "Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee for the Dismissal of New Right Kim Hyungseok as Director of the Independence Hall" and the start of full-scale activities.

On this day, the Cheonan Democratic Solidarity held a press conference at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room, calling for the resignation of Kim Hyungseok, the new director of the Independence Hall.

They pointed out, "Director Kim is someone who claimed 1948 as the founding day of the nation and insisted on relocating the bust of General Hong Beomdo at the Korea Military Academy," adding, "Since its establishment, the Independence Hall has been a place where many citizens commemorate the suffering under Japanese colonial rule and honor the independence activists who fought fiercely, reflecting on the national spirit. Appointing a New Right figure as director to such a place that commemorates these noble sacrifices is problematic."

The local political community also unanimously opposed the appointment of Kim Hyungseok as director. The Chungnam Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea, the Chungnam Provincial Party of the Justice Party, and the Chungnam Provincial Party of the Progressive Party?all opposition parties?issued statements calling for his immediate resignation.

Meanwhile, the Chungnam Regional Committee of the Center for Historical Truth and Justice is scheduled to hold a rally on the 10th at the Independence Hall, condemning the appointment of Kim Hyungseok as director under the Yoon Sukyeol administration.