There are growing calls to reorganize the members of the provisional Gyeongnam Changwon Special City Democracy Hall Construction Promotion Committee.
The Bareun Changwon Citizens’ Alliance held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall Press Center on the 22nd, demanding, “Dismiss the promotion committee member who used violence against a solo protester and the committee chairperson who caused local conflict based on personal ideology, and form a new committee.”
The Barun Changwon Citizens' Coalition is urging the reorganization of the Democracy Hall Promotion Committee at the Changwon City Hall Press Center in Gyeongnam. [Photo by Lee Seryoung]
They stated, “On the afternoon of the 13th, at 3 p.m., in front of the main conference room of Masanhappo-gu Office where a public hearing was held to promote the operation of the Democracy Hall, Son Jongsik, executive representative of the Bareun Value Practice Movement Headquarters, was staging a solo protest demanding the resignation of the 3.15 Uprising Memorial Association president when he was subjected to violent acts by Ryu Johwan, a promotion committee member and representative of the Democratic Uprising Spirit Succession Solidarity Council.”
Representative Son said, “Representative Ryu blocked my protest sign and kicked it, committing violent acts in front of citizens,” and added, “As a result, I was injured and filed a police report on the 16th for property damage and injury.”
Ryu Johwan, the provisional chairman of the Gyeongnam Changwon Democracy Hall Promotion Committee, is physically clashing with Son Jongsik, the standing representative of the Barun Value Practice Movement Headquarters, who is holding a solo protest in front of the Masanhappo District Office large conference room. [Photo by Barun Value Practice Movement Headquarters]
The Bareun Changwon Citizens’ Alliance argued, “Blocking freedom of expression and acts of violence or kicking are no different from committing violence against all democratic citizens,” and questioned, “Is this what democratization is? How can there be violence under the name of democracy?”
Regarding Promotion Committee Chair Joo Imhwan, they criticized, “He communicated only with specific organizations related to the Democracy Hall, undermining the meaning of democracy, and passively allowed undemocratic acts such as blocking solo protests and interfering with freedom of expression.”
They continued, “Chair Joo, without a board resolution from the 3.15 Uprising Memorial Association, claimed that using the ‘Gagopa’ name for the Chrysanthemum Festival damaged the spirit of 3.15, thereby defaming the association and intensifying civic conflict,” and demanded, “Immediately resign as chair of the Democracy Hall Promotion Committee.”
According to the organization, Promotion Committee member Ryu is a former head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and was appointed as a promotion committee member during the tenure of former Changwon Mayor Heo Seongmu.
Recently, Chair Joo and Promotion Committee member Ryu clashed with groups such as the Bareun Citizens’ Alliance, which support including the ‘Gagopa’ name in the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, as they opposed the inclusion of the name.
The Barun Citizen Alliance is handing a request letter to Son Taehwa, chairman of the Changwon City Council in Gyeongnam (left), demanding the reorganization of the provisional Gyeongnam Changwon Democracy Hall Promotion Committee. [Photo by Lee Seryeong]
After the press conference, the Bareun Citizens’ Alliance delivered a written request to the Changwon Mayor’s Office and the Changwon City Council Chairperson’s Office, calling for the promotion committee to be newly organized until the Democracy Hall is completed and stably operated.
At the mayor’s office, a secretary received the request on behalf of Mayor Hong Nampyo, who was away on official business, while at the chairperson’s office, Chair Son Taehwa received the request in person.
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