President Lee: "Promote a Preservation Agreement with China for the Shanghai Provisional Government Building"

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
"Birthplace of the South Korean Government... Neglected for Too Long"
"Cannot Rely Solely on China's Goodwill"
Orders Review of National Park Designation for Yongsan Hyochang Park

On January 20, President Lee Jaemyung instructed officials to consider measures such as entering into a preservation agreement with the Chinese government regarding the expanded use of the Provisional Government Building in Shanghai, China, emphasizing that South Korea cannot rely solely on China’s goodwill.

Yonhap News Agency

Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House that day, President Lee received a report from Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul on plans to establish a souvenir shop at the building. He remarked, “Isn’t this the birthplace of the South Korean government? It is an important historical site, but it seems to have been neglected for too long,” and issued these instructions.

He further suggested pursuing a preservation agreement with China, reiterating that South Korea cannot depend solely on China’s goodwill. President Lee stated, “In the past, the Chinese government was reluctant to highlight anti-Japanese heritage sites related to Korea, but their attitude seems to be changing recently. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should work to establish a preservation agreement with the Chinese government.” He added, “We cannot rely only on China’s goodwill. This is a valuable asset of ours, and it is problematic to depend solely on China.”

President Lee also called for reviewing ways to resolve the issue through collaboration with private companies. After hearing a report that companies such as Samsung and Hyundai Motor had supported the restoration and preservation of the Provisional Government Building, he said, “It may be problematic to leave it entirely to private companies, but the Chinese government may also disapprove if the South Korean government injects its own budget. Please review possible options.”

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also instructed Minister Kwon to consider designating Yongsan Hyochang Park, where independence activists such as Kim Koo are buried, as a national park. He said, “I visit there occasionally, and it feels too gloomy. Please make it a place where citizens can visit easily and with joy. There may be political considerations, but do not let them prevent the park from being designated as a national park.”