Kwon Oeul: "Will Review Appointment Process of Kim Hyungseok as Independence Hall Director"

Confirmation Hearing for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
Kim Hyungseok's Future as 'New Right' Figure Under Scrutiny

Kwon Oeul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated on the 15th regarding the appointment of Kim Hyungseok, director of the Independence Hall, who has been at the center of controversy as a 'New Right figure,' "If I take office as minister, I will look into the matter in detail."

Kwon Oeul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, is responding to questions from committee members at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee that day, Kwon said, "My personal belief is that when there is a change in the appointing authority, all political appointees should go through a reappointment process," and added, "Although this has not yet been legislated, I think it should move in that direction to prevent future disputes, such as so-called 'entrenchment.'"

This remark was made in response to Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sanghyuk, who said, "Among those who have been active and held public office under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, Kim Hyungseok, director of the Independence Hall, is a representative figure who, in my view, has damaged the meaning of patriots and the true value of the independence movement," and asked, "Are you willing to review the fairness of the appointment process at the time of Kim's appointment, and, if necessary, consider requesting an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection?" Kwon replied, "If I become Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, I will look into the appointment process of Director Kim in detail."

Kim Hyungseok, who was appointed director of the Independence Hall by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in August of last year, has previously denied the significance of Liberation Day by claiming that "the founding of the Republic of Korea was completed with the establishment of the government in 1948," and has advocated the so-called 'founding theory.' For these reasons, he has been criticized by groups such as the Liberation Association as a New Right figure.

When asked whether he would consider recommending to the president, who holds the authority to nominate and appoint, the dismissal of Director Kim, Kwon answered, "I will specifically examine whether there have been any actions inconsistent with the role of the director of the Independence Hall."

According to Shin Jangshik, a lawmaker from the Innovation Party for the Fatherland, the Act on the Independence Hall stipulates that "the director of the Independence Hall must strive for public education to foster a strong national spirit and establish a correct view of the state." If the director has failed to perform the duties stipulated by law, Representative Shin argued that the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, who has the authority to supervise and oversee, can use the power of recommendation to suggest dismissal to the president.

Representative Shin pointed out, "Director Kim has made statements such as 'August 15 is not Liberation Day,' 'The Provisional Government is not the beginning of the Republic of Korea,' and 'The Biographical Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators should be reviewed,' all of which directly contradict the duties stipulated by the Act on the Independence Hall."

Regarding the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law,' Kwon stated, "I believe it was a violation of constitutional order." However, when asked about the demand to include that date as a day of overcoming rebellion in official government commemorations, he said, "I have not thought that far. I will consider it," choosing not to elaborate further.

Regarding the 80th anniversary of Liberation commemorative projects, he said, "Since the committee has not yet been established, I asked the Prime Minister two days ago to expedite the launch of the committee through the Office for Government Policy Coordination," and added, "We have also requested cooperation from the Presidential Office for projects such as the repatriation of the remains of independence fighters."

On the issue of establishing additional national cemeteries, he said, "There is a gap of tens of thousands between the number of eligible individuals and the remaining burial plots," and added, "To address this gap, we will either expand existing cemeteries as soon as possible or expedite the groundbreaking of another planned national cemetery in Incheon."