Controversy Over Appointment of Independence Hall Director... "Difficult to Sympathize with Absence from Celebration Ceremony"
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said, "There may be many who find it difficult to sympathize, but I will no longer comment on a decision that has already been made," after President Yoon Seok-yeol approved the reinstatement of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo. Although he remains negative about Kim's reinstatement, it is interpreted as a sign of respect for the president's authority.
On the 13th, Han made these remarks to reporters after having lunch with four-term lawmakers at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul. When asked if this meant he respected the president's exclusive authority, he replied, "I think you can interpret it as I said."
It is known that Han expressed opposition several times to the presidential office after the government selected former Governor Kim as a candidate for reinstatement. Although negative opinions about the reinstatement were voiced within the party, including some senior lawmakers, the government ultimately handled the special pardon, special reduction of sentence, special reinstatement, and special remission measures for Kim and others at the Cabinet meeting that morning.
Regarding the controversy over the government's appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as director of the Independence Hall, Han said, "There can be various pros and cons about personnel appointments, and I think it is possible to express those opinions. However, I find it difficult to sympathize with boycotting the Liberation Day ceremony, which is a major national celebration, because of that." Earlier, Lee Jong-chan, president of the Liberation Association, and the Democratic Party stated that they would not participate in the Liberation Day ceremony unless the government withdrew Kim's appointment as director of the Independence Hall.
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