Cheonan City "Closely Monitoring" Continued Promotion of Gyeonggi-do Independence Hall

Gyeonggi Province Expected to Select Preferred Negotiation Partner for Research Project Early Next Week
Lee Jungmoon: "Concerns Over Confusion... A Different Name Should Be Used"

Snow-covered House of the Nation. (Provided by Independence Hall)

While Gyeonggi Province continues to push forward with the construction of an Independence Hall, the Cheonan region in South Chungcheong Province has stated that it will closely monitor the situation for now.

On the 6th, Gyeonggi Provincial Office began technical score evaluations for the master plan research project for the construction of the Independence Hall from 2 p.m.

It is known that two companies have applied for the project, and the province plans to select a preferred negotiation partner around next Saturday after a price bidding process.

In relation to this, Lee Jungmoon, a National Assembly member from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Cheonan, is keeping a watchful eye on the developments.

A city official stated, "Considering that Gyeonggi Province's Independence Hall project is still in its early stages and that Representative Lee Jungmoon has proposed a bill, we are currently monitoring the progress and reviewing possible response measures."

Representative Lee Jungmoon also said in a phone call that day, "The movement to build an Independence Hall in Gyeonggi Province began last year with concerns arising after a New Right-affiliated director took office. There have been similar moves by other local governments, but the problem is that the name 'Independence Hall' could be confused with the Independence Hall in Cheonan, which was built with donations from the public."

He added, "I recall there were similar concerns in the past regarding the Seoul Arts Center. The recent proposal to amend the Independence Hall Act was also made to prevent such confusion. There should be only one Independence Hall in Cheonan, and facilities with names such as Memorial Hall for Independence Activists or Independence Movement Memorial Center can be established under various other names."

Meanwhile, regarding the name of the Independence Hall, a Gyeonggi Province official stated, "If the bill passes, we will review and pursue alternative options."