Divided Liberation Day... Why the Unprecedented Situation? [why&next]

President of Gwangbok Association "Kim Hyung-seok's Appointment as Director of Independence Hall Should Be Withdrawn"
Presidential Office "Withdrawal Not Possible... Will Make Efforts Until the Event"

Lee Jong-chan, President of the Liberation Association, is giving a greeting speech at the 'Heo Mimi Athlete Liberation Association Bereaved Family Membership Card Presentation Ceremony' held at the Liberation Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Liberation Day event has been split into two. The Liberation Association, representing independence activists, refused to attend the government’s Liberation Day event on the 15th and decided to hold its own ceremony independently. This is an unprecedented situation. Following disputes over historical perspectives, the Liberation Association has raised ideological controversies regarding the National Foundation Day and is demanding the resignation of Kim Hyung-seok, director of the Independence Hall. How did the situation escalate to this point?

When and why did the controversy start?

▲The spark was ignited by Lee Jong-chan, president of the Liberation Association, who was a mentor to President Yoon Suk-yeol when he entered politics. Lee Jong-chan is the father of Lee Cheol-woo, a professor at Yonsei University Graduate School of Law and a childhood and university classmate of President Yoon. During the 2022 presidential election, he also issued a declaration supporting President Yoon. When the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs appointed Director Kim on the 6th, Lee labeled him as a ‘New Right’ figure with a distorted historical view that justifies Japanese colonial rule. He took issue with Kim’s statement last December that "the true liberation was August 15, 1948, when the Republic of Korea government was established." Lee further claimed that Kim’s appointment was intended to promote the establishment of National Foundation Day and called for a boycott of the Liberation Day event.

Independence-related organizations, including the Liberation Association, criticize Director Kim as a ‘New Right figure’ who claims that the Republic of Korea was founded in 1948. The Liberation Association argues that Kim’s claim aligns with the New Right’s logic of emphasizing August 15, 1948?the date of government establishment?over 1945, the year of liberation from Japanese rule, and commemorating it as National Foundation Day. The Liberation Association believes the New Right diminishes the significance of the independence movement.

Liberation Association President Opposes Exclusion of Baekbeom Kim Gu’s Grandson

How was the Independence Hall director appointed?

▲The appointment of the Independence Hall director follows Article 7, Paragraph 2 of the Independence Hall Act. The Executive Recommendation Committee (ERC) at the Independence Hall nominates multiple candidates, from whom the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs recommends one for appointment by the President. However, Lee Jong-chan, an ex officio member of the ERC, claims he was unfairly excluded from participating in the committee. Oh Young-seop, chair of the ERC, argues that since one of the candidates (Vice President Kim Jin) is affiliated with the Liberation Association, the Liberation Association president should have recused himself according to relevant regulations. As a result, Lee Jong-chan was excluded from the ERC, and it was pointed out that Kim Jin, grandson of Baekbeom Kim Gu, and Kim Jeong-myeong, a distinguished professor at Seoul School of Integrated Sciences and Technologies and descendant of an independence activist from the Korean Liberation Army, were eliminated. Lee strongly criticized the ERC at a recent press conference, saying, "The ERC excluded candidates who are descendants of independence activists with symbolic significance."

Independence Hall Director: "I am not New Right"

Kim Hyung-seok, Director of the Independence Hall, is answering reporters' questions on the afternoon of the 14th at the Gyereneuri Hall of the Independence Hall in Cheonan, Chungnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

What is the Independence Hall director’s position?

▲On the 13th, Director Kim held a press conference at the Seoul Regional Veterans Office in Yongsan, Seoul, stating, "I have strongly criticized Japanese colonial rule. If there is any evidence that I have defended Japan’s colonial rule, bring even one piece." He asserted, "I clearly oppose those advocating for the establishment of National Foundation Day." This was a direct rebuttal to claims by the Liberation Association and others that he is a New Right figure appointed strategically to realize the National Foundation Day claim of August 15, 1948. Kim also reiterated his intention to participate in the government-hosted Liberation Day ceremony on the 15th. "I was appointed by the government and promised to faithfully perform my duties as director, so there is absolutely no reason for me to step down," he said. While acknowledging calls in the media for his resignation, he added, "On the contrary, I have received many messages of encouragement not to resign via personal phone and email."

Independence Movement Organizations to Hold Separate Ceremony at Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall

How will the separate ceremonies be held?

▲Due to the conflict between the Liberation Association president and the Independence Hall director, the 79th Liberation Day event on August 15 has been split into two: the government-hosted ceremony and the independence movement organizations’ ceremony. This is an unprecedented occurrence where the government-hosted and independence movement organizations’ Liberation Day ceremonies are held separately. Thirty-seven independence movement organizations, including the Liberation Association, will hold a Liberation Day ceremony at 10 a.m. on the 15th at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Hyochang Park, attended by Liberation Association members, descendants of independence activists, and members of related commemorative organizations. The Liberation Association, leading the ceremony, decided not to invite political parties or politicians but will not prevent voluntary attendance. The government-hosted Liberation Day ceremony will also be held on the 15th, but some independence movement organizations, descendants of independence activists, and opposition parties are expected to abstain. Typically, about 2,000 people attend the government-hosted ceremony, including politicians from ruling and opposition parties, government officials, independence movement organizations and descendants, religious groups, and foreign diplomatic corps in Korea.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding at a luncheon for descendants of independence activists held at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

What is the presidential office’s stance on this situation?

▲The presidential office has repeatedly stated, "The government has never mentioned nor attempted to promote National Foundation Day," attempting to manage the situation. As the controversy intensified, President Yoon reportedly told his aides on the 13th, "What help does the National Foundation Day controversy provide to people struggling to make a living?" emphasizing that in difficult economic times, public livelihood is more important. This was an indirect criticism of the ideological dispute turning into political strife over the Liberation Day event, expressing the view that the National Foundation Day controversy is an unnecessary ideological debate detached from the people’s livelihood. The presidential office regards the basis for defining Director Kim as ‘New Right’ by Lee Jong-chan and the opposition as weak and considers the repeated calls for Kim’s resignation as an infringement on the appointing authority’s exclusive rights.

Presidential Office: "Never Attempted to Promote National Foundation Day"

Why did the presidential office not respond to Lee Jong-chan’s letter?

▲Lee Jong-chan appeared on a radio broadcast on the 12th and claimed he sent a letter directly to President Yoon opposing the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as Independence Hall director, but the president proceeded with the appointment. Lee said he wrote the letter out of concern that Kim’s appointment might burden the administration, but felt insulted when President Yoon issued the personnel order via electronic approval without any response. A presidential office official said, "It is difficult to specifically disclose the president’s thoughts on Lee’s letter," adding, "Presidential aides are still working through various channels to persuade the Liberation Association president. We hope the Liberation Day event will be conducted smoothly and are considering ways to restore relations."

What efforts has the presidential office made to resolve the situation?

▲Concerned about the Liberation Association’s absence from the Liberation Day event, Jeon Gwang-sam, senior secretary for civil society, personally visited the Liberation Association president to explain the situation and persuade him, but Lee’s stance reportedly remains firm. On the 13th, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jeong-ae visited the Liberation Association headquarters in Yeouido to persuade Lee to attend the Liberation Day ceremony. Lee repeatedly demanded Kim’s resignation. Minister Kang urged, "The Liberation Day ceremony should not be divided. Please attend for national unity," but Lee maintained that Kim’s resignation is the only solution to resolve the current situation.

On the same day, ahead of the 79th Liberation Day, President Yoon invited about 100 descendants of independence activists to a luncheon at the Blue House State Guest House, emphasizing, "We will never forget the will of our ancestors who defended and developed the value of freedom, and we will devote all our efforts to building a free, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Korea." The presidential office expressed regret that the Liberation Day event, which should be a gathering for all to unite in building a future of freedom, peace, and prosperity, has become a half-hearted event, and indicated it would continue efforts to persuade Lee until the morning of the event.

Presidential Office: "No Grounds to Disqualify Director Kim... Revoking Appointment Would Increase Confusion"

There is controversy over the cancellation of the Independence Hall’s own event. How will this be resolved?

▲When questions arose about the cancellation of the annual Liberation Day ceremony at the Independence Hall this year, the presidential office explained, "The Independence Hall did not cancel its own event; the event is organized by the Chungnam provincial government, and the Independence Hall only provided the venue." On the 14th, Director Kim held a press conference at the Independence Hall, stating that he never gave final approval for the cancellation of the Independence Hall’s ceremony. He said, "After I took office, a staff member asked if they should review the independently prepared event, and I just instructed them to consider it." He added, "Since Cheonan City is hosting the ceremony today, I gladly agreed, and I will attend the Seoul event." The presidential office also indicated that Kim’s appointment will not be revoked. A presidential office official emphasized, "Revoking the appointment without clear grounds for disqualification would only increase confusion," and added, "We will do our best until the end to ensure as many people as possible can attend the Liberation Day event."