Changwon Democratic Party Council Members: "Restore Democratization Budget, Withdraw Commemorative Project for Pro-Japanese Author"

The Democratic Party of Korea's Changwon Special City Council members in Gyeongnam have called for the restoration of the democratization project budget and the withdrawal of the 100th anniversary commemorative project for the creation of "Spring of Hometown."

On December 15, the Democratic Party council members held a press conference in front of the Changwon City Council, stating, "During the review process by the standing committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the democratization project budget was cut at the initiative of the People Power Party council members."

They continued, "The democratization project budget is not simply for events; it is the minimum public responsibility to remember and pass on Changwon's history of democratization, including the March 15 Uprising and the Busan-Masan Democratic Protests, to the next generation through education and succession. Cutting this budget is an irresponsible decision that undermines the value of democracy," they criticized.

They also pointed out, "Lee Won-su, the author of 'Spring of Hometown,' was confirmed to have engaged in pro-Japanese activities. Commemorating his work with public funds under the name of a 100th anniversary blurs the social evaluation of pro-Japanese acts and ignores historical responsibility."

The Democratic Party of Korea's Changwon Special City Council members in Gyeongnam are holding a press conference urging the restoration of the democratization project budget and the withdrawal of the 100th anniversary commemorative project for the creation of "Spring of Hometown." Photo by Lee Seryung

The council members stated, "The upcoming plenary session scheduled for December 19 is the last opportunity to correct the wrong decisions made by the standing committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. The democratization budget that was cut must be restored, and the 100th anniversary commemorative project for pro-Japanese author Lee Won-su must be withdrawn."

From today until the plenary session on December 19, when next year's Changwon City budget is expected to be tabled, the Democratic Party council members will hold protests with placards and banners during lunchtime.

The council members explained, "This is not an act of political strife, but a responsible action to guarantee citizens' right to know and to ensure that next year's main budget is properly amended at the plenary session."

They added, "The decisions made in this plenary session will be recorded and subject to public evaluation. Whether the Changwon City Council remains an assembly that upholds democratic values or is remembered as one that ignores historical responsibility depends entirely on the choices of the People Power Party council members."

Revised Budget Document of the Planning and Administration Committee of Changwon Special City Council, Gyeongnam. Provided by the Democratic Party Changwon City Council Members

Previously, during the budget review process at the 7th meeting of the 2nd regular session of the 148th Changwon City Council on December 4, the standing committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts reduced the budget for democratization-related projects, cutting 20 million won from the 74.97 million won allocated for the March 15 Uprising commemorative project.

In addition, the entire budgets for the Busan-Masan Democratic Protests Citizens' Lecture (7.65 million won), the Democracy Field Trip (8.5 million won), and the Yeonghonam Unification Kim Ju-yeol Historical Tour (10.71 million won) were all eliminated.

The budget related to the 100th anniversary commemorative project for the creation of "Spring of Hometown" was approved.

It was reported that the council adjusted budgets for certain projects deemed to be excessively allocated or of low effectiveness.

On December 11, the council postponed the vote on next year's Changwon City budget and fund management plan, originally scheduled for the third plenary session, and now plans to finalize the 2025 budget at the fourth plenary session of the 148th regular meeting on December 19.