Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae: "If the Nation Was Founded in 1919, Independence Movement Would Be Unnecessary"

Gangwon-do Liberation Day Celebration
Group Exit of Liberation Members

On the 15th, during the Gangwon-do Liberation Day celebration event, members of the Liberation Association protested against Governor Kim Jin-tae's remarks regarding the founding of the nation and walked out.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, the province held the 79th Liberation Day celebration ceremony at the Baekryeong Art Center of Kangwon National University, attended by Governor Kim Jin-tae, heads of various institutions, descendants of patriotic martyrs, and over 1,000 Liberation Association members.

Kim Moon-duk, head of the Gangwon branch of the Liberation Association, read aloud the commemorative speech of Lee Jong-chan, president of the Liberation Association, stating, "There have been several attempts to establish a Founding Day, but each time they failed due to nationwide resistance," and "If our country was founded in 1948, it would be unconstitutional and an excuse to legitimize Japanese colonial rule."

However, Governor Kim Jin-tae directly refuted this during his congratulatory speech.

He criticized, "I heard the commemorative speech read by the branch head, and it was somewhat embarrassing," adding, "Those who claim the founding in 1948 are trying to legitimize the pro-Japanese, unconstitutional Japanese colonial period. That would mean the Japanese occupation never happened, and are we dreaming now?"

He continued, "Some argue that the Republic of Korea was founded in 1919 with the March 1st Independence Declaration and the establishment of the Provisional Government, but at that time, there was no governing authority granted by the people, nor territory under sovereignty," and "If the country was founded in 1919, then there would already be a nation, making the independence movement unnecessary and denying the very concept of liberation, which is a self-contradiction."

He stated, "They are damaging the identity of the Republic of Korea by vehemently denying the 1948 founding with sophistry," emphasizing, "I believe this stems from a self-deprecating historical perception that 'the Republic of Korea should never have been born.'"

In response, Kim Moon-duk, head of the Gangwon Liberation Association branch, strongly protested, saying, "How can you speak like that?" and, along with other Liberation Association members, abruptly stood up and left the venue.

The Liberation Day celebration that day ended in disorder, with some attendees applauding Governor Kim’s remarks while others applauded the Liberation Association members, resulting in a disrupted atmosphere.