Kim Byungki: "Independence Hall Director's 'Liberation Was a Gift from the Allies' Remark Is Nonsense... Should Be Dismissed"

"Director Appointed by Yoon Denies Independence Movement"
Kim Byungki Demands Immediate Dismissal of Kim Hyungseok

Kim Byungki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on August 16 called for the immediate dismissal of Kim Hyungseok, Director of the Independence Hall of Korea, after Kim remarked that "from a global historical perspective, Liberation was a gift obtained through the victory of the Allied Powers."

Kim Byungki, Acting President and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting speech at the 2nd Extraordinary National Party Members' Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Through a Facebook post on the same day, Floor Leader Kim stated, "It is an international embarrassment that someone who spouts such nonsense so casually is serving as Director of the Independence Hall," and made this demand.

He further criticized, "Since being appointed by Yoon Suk-yeol last year, all Kim Hyungseok has done is deny the independence movement. Last year, he canceled the first Liberation Day celebration at the Independence Hall since its opening, and this year, he disparaged the anti-Japanese independence struggle in his commemorative address."

He went on to ask, "If we tolerate such treacherous denial of the independence movement, how can we ask the people to make sacrifices for the nation in times of grave crisis, and who would be willing to dedicate themselves?"

He added, "I feel a deep, boiling anger toward Kim Hyungseok, who makes excuses about his legal rights while wagging his tongue. Anyone who disgraces the patriots who gave their lives for this country does not even deserve to live on this land."