Democratic Party Visits Kim Gu's Tomb... Park Chan-dae Says Yoon Carried Out a 'Historical Coup'

Minju Visits Hyochang Park for Floral Tribute and Moment of Silence
Also Issues Statement Condemning Pro-Japanese, Anti-National Yoon Seok-yeol Administration
Park Chan-dae: "Is a Second 'Naeseon Ilche' Underway?"

The Democratic Party of Korea paid tribute to the graves of independence activists within Hyochang Park on the occasion of the 79th Liberation Day. This event was organized independently, without attending the government-hosted celebration. Park Chan-dae, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, laid flowers as the representative and then issued a statement condemning the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

On the morning of the 15th at 9 a.m., about 50 Democratic Party lawmakers visited Hyochang Park located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Under the guidance of Bang Hak-jin, director of the Institute for Korean National Issues, they sequentially visited the graves of key figures of the Provisional Government (including Lee Dong-nyeong, Jo Seong-hwan, and Cha Ri-seok), the graves of the three righteous martyrs (Lee Bong-chang, Yun Bong-gil, Baek Jeong-gi), and the grave of Baekbeom Kim Gu. Acting leader Park laid flowers on behalf of the lawmakers at each gravesite.

More than 50 lawmakers, including Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are shouting "Banzai" at the entrance of Hyochang Park located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th.
Photo by Oh Ji-eun

Director Bang explained to the lawmakers the history of the establishment of the Provisional Government along with the process of creating Hyochang Park. He said, "Kim Gu, the president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, said, 'The first thing I will do when I come is to gather the senior comrades who passed away in the homeland without seeing liberation.'" He added, "The arrangement and remodeling of the Provisional Government figures' gravesite were all the work of Kim Gu. If Kim Gu had become president, this place would have become a national cemetery, but unfortunately, that did not happen."

He also expressed his determination to make Hyochang Park a memorial park for the independence movement. Director Bang stated, "The sanctification project of Hyochang Park began in the 1980s. Former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in attempted to realize this spirit, but it was disrupted." He emphasized, "Making Hyochang Park a complete independence park will be the promise of all of us gathered here."

Democratic Party lawmakers are listening to an explanation from Bang Hak-jin, director of the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities, at the Baekbeom Kim Gu gravesite in Hyochang Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th.
Photo by Oh Ji-eun

After paying respects at the gravesites, Acting Leader Park issued a "condemnation statement" against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration on the steps in front of the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall. He said, "Liberation was achieved through the combined efforts of countless independence heroes and ordinary people. Liberation Day is a day to honor such a proud history and to reflect on the spirit of independence of our ancestors, but this year, I cannot help but feel sorrowful and devastated." He continued, "This is because the history of the independence struggle is being denied by the 'historical coup' carried out by the Yoon administration, shaking the very roots of the Republic of Korea's identity."

He further claimed, "They sold out the tears of forced mobilization victims, conceded everything Japan wanted including the Fukushima nuclear contaminated water, the issue of Japanese military comfort women, and the Sado mine problem. Moreover, they have planted pro-Japanese New Right figures doubly and triply in key institutions that uphold the historical legitimacy of Korea." He criticized the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok as the new director of the Independence Hall of Korea.

Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with lawmakers, are issuing a condemnation statement after paying respects at the gravesites of prominent figures of the Provisional Government, the Three Martyrs, and Baekbeom Kim Gu in Hyochang Park, Seoul, on the morning of August 15, the 79th Liberation Day.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Acting Leader Park said, "We cannot help but suspect that a second 'Naesun Ilche' (Japan-Korea unity during colonial rule) is underway." He addressed President Yoon, saying, "Immediately stop all conspiracies to hand over the entire country to Japan and the pro-Japanese 'New Right,' and apologize to the people and the patriotic ancestors. In particular, cancel the appointment of Director Kim Hyung-seok."