"Gift of Allied Victory": Calls Surge for Dismissal of Independence Hall Director

Ruling Party Criticizes Kim Hyungseok as a "Pro-Japanese Figure with New Right Tendencies"
Kim Hyungseok Responds: "The Media Distorted My Remarks by Selectively Quoting"

Kim Hyungseok, director of the Independence Hall, is attending the National Assembly's audit on the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Independence Hall held by the Political Affairs Committee on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Calls are mounting for the dismissal or voluntary resignation of Kim Hyungseok, director of the Independence Hall, who sparked controversy by referring to Korea’s liberation as a "gift of Allied victory."

On August 17, the Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized Kim Hyungseok for describing liberation as a "gift of Allied victory," labeling him a "pro-Japanese figure with New Right tendencies," and demanded his dismissal or voluntary resignation.

Kim Byungki, the party’s floor leader, wrote on his Facebook page that day, "Director Kim Hyungseok has shown no remorse despite criticism that his remarks are sophistry, and tried to justify his Liberation Day address by claiming it highlighted the conflicting perspectives in our society and emphasized national unity. In short, it is nothing but empty rhetoric," he pointed out.

He continued, "The director of the Independence Hall is supposed to take the lead in promoting the noble values of the independence movement, standing against forces that distort Korea’s independence. If he tries to disparage the independence struggle under the guise of neutrality and sophistry, he should not remain in that position," he warned.

Moon Geumjoo, the party’s chief spokesperson, also stated in a National Assembly briefing, "Kim Hyungseok is a pro-Japanese figure with New Right tendencies, appointed by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The public is outraged that such a person is being paid with taxpayers’ money."

Moon also mentioned Park Sunyoung, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Ahn Changho, chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission; and Park Jihyang, chairperson of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, all of whom were appointed during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. He described them as "pro-Japanese, history-distorting forces with New Right tendencies" and urged that "they too must step down as soon as possible."

The Rebuilding Korea Party also joined calls for Kim’s resignation. Senior spokesperson Yoon Jaegwan stated in a commentary, "His remarks, which call for the acceptance of the New Right view of history under the pretext of national unity, are an insult to the patriots who sacrificed their lives for the independence movement. He must step down immediately."

Previously, on August 15, Director Kim Hyungseok caused controversy during the Liberation Day ceremony by stating, "From a global historical perspective, liberation was a gift obtained as a result of the Allied victory in World War II." He later explained, "The media distorted my remarks by selectively quoting certain parts."