Independence Hall Board Approves Motion to Dismiss Director Kim Hyungseok Amid Historical Perspective Controversy

The board of directors of the Independence Hall of Korea passed a motion on January 19 recommending the dismissal of Director Kim Hyungseok, who has been at the center of controversy over his historical perspective.

Kim Yongman, Moon Jinseok, and Song Okju, members of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea and also directors of the Independence Hall, held a press conference after the emergency board meeting at the Bright Nuri Hall of the Independence Hall on the same day. They announced, "The motion to dismiss Director Kim was approved by 10 out of 12 directors present, surpassing the majority threshold."

Yonhap News Agency

Director Kim was appointed in 2024 during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. The ruling party has called for his resignation, claiming he has New Right tendencies. In particular, Director Kim sparked controversy over his historical perspective by asserting at the 80th Liberation Day ceremony on August 15 last year that "liberation was a gift from the Allied Forces."

This emergency board meeting was convened after Director Kim's objection to the results of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' audit was dismissed, following a request by six individuals including Assemblyman Kim. The Ministry had previously conducted an audit related to Director Kim, uncovering misconduct in 14 areas, including allegations of privatization, and issued disciplinary action. The motion to dismiss Director Kim will be finalized once it is recommended by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and approved by the President.

Director Kim is expected to pursue legal action in response. Immediately after the board meeting, he held a press briefing and stated, "The audit by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, which served as the basis for the dismissal resolution, was unfairly conducted with the sole purpose of removing the Director of the Independence Hall, regardless of the substantive facts." He added, "I cannot agree with the contents of the audit report."