Unprecedented Division... 8·15 Liberation Day Events Split in Two
Lee Jong-chan, President of the Liberation Association, "Must Eradicate Pro-Japanese Officers"
Lee Jae-myung Sends 'Celebrating Liberation Day' Wreath to Event Venue
The 79th anniversary of the August 15 Liberation Day event was split into two. This is an unprecedented occurrence. The Gwangbokhoe did not attend the government's official celebration and held a separate commemorative ceremony with 55 independence movement organizations. The National Assembly was also divided. The People Power Party and the Reform New Party attended the government celebration, while the Democratic Party of Korea, the Joguk Innovation Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party attended the ceremony hosted by the Gwangbokhoe.
On the 15th, the Gwangbokhoe held a commemorative ceremony at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall Convention Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Chairman Lee Jong-chan of the Gwangbokhoe opened his remarks by saying, "We are holding the 79th Liberation Day commemorative ceremony as an event exclusive to the Gwangbokhoe," and expressed, "We apologize to the people." He continued, "Nevertheless, we ask for the understanding and forgiveness of the people," emphasizing, "Recently, distorted views of history have been rampant, and individuals who recklessly judge history have appeared in institutions that handle history. This must be sternly warned against." The Gwangbokhoe and other independence movement organizations are demanding the withdrawal of the appointment of Kim Hyung-seok, the new director of the Independence Hall, calling him a 'pro-Japanese New Right figure.'
Chairman Lee stated, "There is a claim to designate August 15, 1948, as National Foundation Day," and said, "If National Foundation Day is established, it would legitimize Japanese colonial rule and completely deny the history of the independence movement." He has raised concerns that Director Kim might push for the establishment of National Foundation Day based on statements Kim made in past lectures. Although the new director Kim has explained, "I clearly oppose those who advocate for the establishment of National Foundation Day," Chairman Lee voiced opposition to the establishment of National Foundation Day again on this day.
Chairman Lee left a request to the political circles. He said, "Without a correct understanding of history and national spirit, no political force, whether conservative or progressive, can persuade the people," adding, "Regrettably, those who disparage the independence movement and bring up National Foundation Day are falsely claiming to be conservatives." He also said, "The progressive camp sometimes exaggerates fragments of history without seeing the historical context and whole, using it for political purposes," emphasizing, "History should be a driving force for unity and moving toward the future." He added, "I earnestly appeal not to find excuses for division and confrontation in history."
On the morning of the 15th, the 79th Liberation Day, Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Cho Guk, Leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, are greeting each other at the Liberation Day ceremony hosted by the Liberation Association held at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Hyochang Park, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
At the commemorative ceremony hosted by the Gwangbokhoe that day, Democratic Party of Korea acting leader and floor leader Park Chan-dae, Democratic Party lawmakers, Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk and its lawmakers, Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in, and Social Democratic Party leader Han Chang-min, along with lawmakers from four opposition parties, attended. The Gwangbokhoe stated that it politely declined requests for attendance from party officials and invited only members, but did not prevent individual lawmakers from attending. Due to a shortage of seats in the VIP section, about 100 lawmakers and guests stood along the walls to attend the event.
Kim Du-kwan, a candidate for the Democratic Party leadership primary, was also present. At the entrance of the venue, a wreath sent by candidate Lee Jae-myung was noticeable. The wreath was inscribed with "Congratulations on the 79th Liberation Day."
Meanwhile, the Reform New Party stated, "Apart from the inappropriateness of the Independence Hall director and New Right figures, we wish to respect the significance of the national event celebrating liberation from Japanese colonial rule and the establishment of the government that inherited the legal continuity of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea." Reform New Party leader Heo Eun-ah attended the government celebration that day. The New Future Party did not attend any events. Through a statement, the New Future Party announced, "We decided not to attend in respect of the opinions of groups concerned about the possibility of the Gwangbokhoe event being politically exploited."
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