Oh Se-hoon: "Gwanghwamun Square Taegeukgi Flagpole Is Not Nationalistic"

Confrontation with Cho Hee-yeon, Seoul Superintendent of Education... "Has someone with such thoughts led educational administration for 10 years?"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that he does not agree with the claim that the project to create a national symbol space at Gwanghwamun Square is "nationalistic."

On the 28th, during the 326th extraordinary session of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, when Kim Hyung-jae, a member of the People Power Party, asked about his stance on installing a large Taegeukgi flagpole, Mayor Oh responded, "Is it really nationalism to install a flagpole on the territory of the Republic of Korea, especially in a place visited by the largest number of people?" He added, "Many citizens would not agree that raising it above a certain height is excessive nationalism."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is holding a press briefing on the 11th at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, regarding the controversy over the construction of a 100m high Taegeukgi flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Furthermore, Mayor Oh added that according to the results of public opinion gathering regarding the national symbol space, there is a national consensus that the Taegeukgi is the most suitable national symbol. When Seoul City collected citizens' opinions on the most appropriate symbol for the national symbol space at Gwanghwamun Square, the Taegeukgi received the highest number of selections with 215 responses (41%).

When Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, criticized by saying, "I question whether respect for the national flag should be expressed by a 100m flagpole at Gwanghwamun in 2024," and added, "There is sufficient ground for criticism as old-fashioned nationalism," Mayor Oh countered, "It pains me to think of the confusion in the education field that may arise because someone with such thoughts has led education administration for the past 10 years."

Earlier, in June, Seoul City unveiled the 'Gwanghwamun Square National Symbol Space Creation Plan,' which centers on installing a 100m high Taegeukgi flagpole at Gwanghwamun. However, after concerns were raised that it might evoke excessive nationalism, the city collected public opinions through its website for a month starting last month and announced plans to create a national symbol space honoring the dedication of UN veterans.