Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed that it is "truly deplorable" that the Independence Hall has decided not to hold the Liberation Day celebration on August 15 for the first time in 37 years.
On the 12th, Governor Kim posted on his social media, saying "It is truly deplorable" and directly questioned, "Who is dividing our people into two and inciting conflict and division?"
Earlier, the Independence Hall decided not to hold the Liberation Day ceremony this year. This decision was made shortly after the inauguration of Kim Hyung-sik, the director of the Independence Hall, who has been controversial for his New Right historical views. This is the first time since the hall opened in 1987 with public donations that it will not hold a Liberation Day ceremony.
The Independence Hall announced on the same day that it would cancel the 'Liberation Day Ceremony' originally scheduled to be held on the 15th from 10 a.m. around the House of the Nation, with descendants of independence activists and about 100 families who wished to participate.
The Independence Hall labor union issued a statement on the same day, saying, "Suddenly canceling the Liberation Day ceremony shows a very light attitude toward Liberation Day and has caused confusion and disappointment among many citizens," and called for Director Kim's resignation.
The Chungbuk Citizens' Social Organizations Solidarity also held a press conference at the Chungbuk Provincial Government briefing room, demanding the withdrawal of Kim Hyung-sik's appointment as director of the Independence Hall.
Earlier, on the 10th, civic groups including the Institute for Korean Historical Issues and the Cheonan Democratic Organizations Solidarity, consisting of 14 groups in the Cheonan area, held a rally at the Independence Hall's House of the Nation titled 'Condemnation of Kim Hyung-sik's Appointment as Director of the Independence Hall and the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration.'
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