Controversy Over Removal of Dokdo Photo Zone in Incheon... "What Does It Have to Do with Fire Hazard?"

Controversy over the removal of Dokdo promotional materials has also arisen in Incheon.

According to Incheon Transit Corporation on the 28th, the Dokdo photo zone and promotional TV installed at Ganseok Ogeori Station on Incheon Subway Line 1 in July 2015 were removed in April last year.

The corporation explained that after an incident in February last year where a man in his 60s set fire to an artificial garden next to the platform at Seoknam Station on Incheon Subway Line 2, they removed 24 artificial flower beds made of flammable materials inside the stations of Lines 1 and 2, as well as the photo zone at Ganseok Ogeori Station, for public safety.

They also stated that the Overseas Koreans Office under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to install a photo zone featuring Dokdo photos as a background at Central Park Station on Incheon Subway Line 1, adjacent to their office, by October.

Dokdo Photo Zone demolished last year at Ganseok Ogeori Station, Incheon Subway
[Photo provided by Incheon Peace Welfare Solidarity]

However, civic groups in the Incheon area raised doubts, saying the reason for the removal of the Dokdo photo zone is unclear.

Incheon Peace and Welfare Solidarity released a press statement on the day, criticizing, "If the corporation had planned to reinstall the Dokdo photo zone, it should have been installed immediately after removal. The fact that it took one year and four months and only after the issue arose did they announce plans to reinstall it at the Overseas Koreans Office Station raises suspicion that this is a hastily made response."

They added, "Since promotional materials installed inside subway stations and trains use flame-retardant film, if the Dokdo photo zone was also installed using flame-retardant film, it cannot avoid criticism that the spirit of Dokdo was removed under the pretext of fire risk."

The group urged the Incheon City Council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the removal of the Dokdo promotional materials at Ganseok Ogeori Station by Incheon Transit Corporation, stating, "If falsehoods are revealed during the explanation process for the removal of the Dokdo photo zone, the president of Incheon Transit Corporation and related personnel must take corresponding responsibility."

In response, a representative of Incheon Transit Corporation explained, "After establishing a plan for a specialized station project in April this year, an internal opinion was raised in July to additionally install a Dokdo photo zone at Central Park Station adjacent to the Overseas Koreans Office, and this was pursued. This is unrelated to the recent controversies over Dokdo promotional materials in other regions."