Min Kyungsun and the Alliance: "Insulting the Statue of Peace Is a Crime of Historical Denial... Arrest Kim Byunghun Immediately"

Min Kyungsun and the Alliance Demand Strict Punishment

Joint Statement Issued on the 107th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement

On the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, there is a growing outcry calling for the arrest and investigation of the leader of a far-right organization who has repeatedly insulted the victims of the Japanese military's "comfort women" system and defaced the Statue of Peace.

Candidate Min Kyung-sun is viewing the Statue of Peace with artists Kim Unseong and Kim Seokyung. Photo by Candidate Min Kyung-sun

Min Kyungsun, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang, and the Korean Alliance for Honoring the Anti-Japanese Independence Movement Patriots (President: Father Ham Se-woong, hereafter referred to as the Alliance), have jointly issued a statement strongly condemning Kim Byunghun, head of the "National Action for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Act," for his repeated acts of insult toward the Statue of Peace and his declaration to resume protests. They called for a thorough police investigation and strict punishment.

Min Kyungsun and the Alliance defined this issue as a "crime of historical denial" that goes beyond a simple matter of freedom of expression. They stated, "The Statue of Peace is the conscience and symbol of our era, representing the resolve not to repeat the history of war and human rights violations." They criticized, "Mr. Kim's act of degrading the victims as sex workers and damaging the statue is a disgraceful and immoral act that tramples on the dignity of the surviving victims."

They also expressed deep concern over illegal rallies and acts of vandalism targeting the statue, especially those occurring near schools. They pointed out, "Hate protests taking place in front of schools, where future generations should be learning the correct history, are extremely anti-educational and undermine public order." They emphasized that strict measures are necessary to protect the educational environment for children.

Min Kyungsun and the Alliance redefined the meaning of this year's March 1st Movement, emphasizing that it should not be confined to a past event but recognized as an ongoing movement for democracy.

In their joint statement, they highlighted, "The March 1st Great Revolution has been succeeded and developed as a movement for the establishment of a true democratic republic, continuing from the struggle for independence to the anti-dictatorship democratization movement and the 'Revolution of Light.'"

They went on to express a strong determination, stating, "On the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Great Revolution, we must root out anti-state forces and build a true democratic republic where we can proudly enjoy autonomy and independence."

Min Kyungsun, who led the installation of the Statue of Peace in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly during his tenure as a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, declared, "A nation that forgets its history has no future." He further stated, "As a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang, I will focus the administrative capabilities of the city on protecting local sites of the independence movement and establishing a correct view of history."

Min Seongjin, Secretary General of the Alliance and a descendant of an independence activist, also urged decisive action by law enforcement authorities, saying, "The arrogant attitude of the far-right group, which is resuming insulting protests in front of the statue even during an active police investigation, is causing public outrage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.