Democratic Party Decides to Skip Liberation Day Ceremony... 'Considering Participation in Separate Commemoration Promoted by Gwangbokhoe'

Opposition to Kim Hyung-seok's Appointment to Independence Hall
Jo Guk Innovation Party Also Declares Non-Participation

The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to abstain from attending the Liberation Day celebration. They stated that they cannot attend as long as Kim Hyung-seok, the director of the Independence Hall who is known for remarks such as "the Japanese colonial period was helpful," remains in his position. Due to the personnel issue involving the director of the Independence Hall, it appears unprecedented that major parties in the National Assembly will boycott the Liberation Day celebration.

Lee Hae-sik, the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a press meeting after the Supreme Council meeting on the 12th, "Our Democratic Party has decided not to participate in the 79th Liberation Day celebration," adding, "If the appointment of Director Kim is withdrawn even now, despite the pro-Japanese, traitorous behavior such as the government agreeing to exclude the forced labor issue from the Sado Mine World Heritage economic matters, our Democratic Party could attend. However, as long as Director Kim remains, we cannot attend this Liberation Day celebration." He emphasized that the withdrawal of Director Kim's appointment is the sole condition for attending the Liberation Day celebration.

Instead, the Democratic Party is considering attending a separate celebration organized by the Liberation Association. The spokesperson said, "The Liberation Association is currently reviewing holding a commemorative ceremony at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall on the 15th," and added, "Our party is also considering participating together. Nothing has been decided yet."

This decision is expected to be highly unusual. When asked by reporters whether such a boycott decision has occurred in the Democratic Party's past history, the spokesperson replied, "As far as I know, this is the first time," and added, "I understand that not only our party but no political party has ever declared a boycott before."

Earlier, the Party for National Innovation also officially declared its boycott of the Liberation Day ceremony through its Supreme Council meeting. Jo Guk, the leader of the Party for National Innovation, stated that day, "We will not attend the government's August 15th ceremony three days from now," and said, "We absolutely cannot watch the stage of power filled with pro-Japanese collaborators and spies."