Independence Hall: "Real-name Information Requires Consent from Committee Members"
Democratic Party: "Evidence Suggests Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ordered Restrictions on Data Disclosure"
On the 14th, about 10 members of the Democratic Party of Korea, including Lee Jungmoon (Cheonan Byeong) and Lee Jaegwan (Cheonan Eul), visited the Independence Hall and requested the minutes and score sheets of the executive recommendation committee meeting with real names redacted, as well as the list of the executive recommendation committee members.
Members of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, as well as members of the Reform Action Forum for Livelihood and Innovation and the Special Committee on History and Justice, visited the Independence Hall of Korea to examine the appropriateness of the appointment process of Director Kim Hyungseok. However, the visit was thwarted as the Independence Hall refused to disclose the requested documents.
On the 14th, about ten people, including Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Jungmoon (Cheonan-byeong) and Lee Jaegwan (Cheonan-eul), visited the Independence Hall and requested the minutes and score sheets of the Executive Recommendation Committee with real names, as well as the list of committee members.
Previously, the Independence Hall had submitted anonymized minutes and score sheets of the committee to the National Assembly, but Democratic Party lawmakers insisted that disclosure of documents with real names was essential for transparency in the director's appointment process and demanded to view the documents on that day.
The Independence Hall requested that Director Kim be present as a condition for document disclosure, but the lawmakers did not accept this.
Ultimately, the Independence Hall argued that disclosure of the score sheets and minutes with real names would require the consent of the committee members and legal review, and only agreed to disclose the list of committee members.
In response, the lawmakers strongly protested, stating that the visit was made based on prior agreement to view the documents, but the Independence Hall suddenly refused to disclose them.
The lawmakers criticized, "According to the law on information disclosure for public institutions, disclosure is the principle. In exceptional cases, the party claiming an exception must prove the reason, so suddenly saying a legal review is needed makes no sense."
Min Byungwon, Secretary General of the Independence Hall of Korea, explaining to members of the Democratic Party of Korea and others about the disclosure of documents related to the appointment of the director.
After the document disclosure was blocked, the lawmakers claimed there were indications that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs had instructed the restriction of materials.
The lawmakers stated, "We were unable to view the materials related to the appointment of Director Kim Hyungseok today, and behind this was the intervention of the Director of Veterans Culture Policy at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Although the Independence Hall tried to cooperate with the lawmakers, it was revealed that the Ministry instructed them to restrict the materials."
They continued, "The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is even preventing members of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee, who have a duty to oversee the Independence Hall on behalf of the people, from viewing the documents. We condemn the Yoon Sukyeol administration's outrageous actions that trample on the constitutional authority and role of the National Assembly, and demand the withdrawal of the appointment of Director Kim Hyungseok, who distorts history and glorifies pro-Japanese collaboration."
In response, Kim Hyungseok held a press conference and stated his position regarding the refusal to disclose documents and the calls for his resignation.
He said, "I was appointed as Director of the Independence Hall of Korea by the government of the Republic of Korea, and I have pledged to faithfully fulfill my public duties, so there is absolutely no reason for me to resign. From this point on, I will no longer answer questions about whether I will resign."
He added, "Most of the materials requested by the lawmakers are already public, so there is no reason to hide them. However, disclosing the real names in the minutes or score sheets conflicts with the Personal Information Protection Act, so the consent of those involved is absolutely necessary. If disclosure of real names is required according to proper procedures, it will be done."
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