The Independence Patriots' Backlash... Divided Gwangbokjeol

Hangdanyeon and Other Civic Groups Declare Non-Participation in Liberation Day
"Director of Independence Hall is a New Right Figure"

This year, the Liberation Day event has been split into two. After the government appointed a New Right-affiliated figure as the new director of the Independence Hall, organizations representing the descendants of independence activists declared they would boycott the Liberation Day event.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, the Anti-Japanese Independence Patriots Promotion Federation (Hangdanyeon), composed of 25 organizations honoring independence activists, announced that if the appointee does not resign, they will boycott the government-hosted Liberation Day ceremony and instead hold a separate commemorative event at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall in Hyochang Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The Liberation Association, an organization of descendants of independence patriots, also declared its boycott of the Liberation Day event. This is the first time since its founding in 1965 that the Liberation Association has declared a boycott of the Liberation Day ceremony.

Lee Jong-chan, president of the Liberation Association, is the father of Lee Cheol-woo, a professor at Yonsei University Law School and a childhood and university classmate of President Yoon Seok-yeol. During the 2022 presidential election, he also issued a political declaration supporting President Yoon. However, he opposed the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as the new director of the Independence Hall. He demanded Kim’s resignation, accusing him of being a typical New Right figure who denies the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and the independence movement, and praises Syngman Rhee as the father of the nation.

Kim Hyung-seok is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon. At the event, he is expected to state, "I am not a New Right figure who disparages independence activists and supports Japanese colonial rule, and I oppose the establishment of a National Foundation Day," indicating that he will not resign.