Hong Joon-pyo ‘regrets’ the opposition to erecting a statue of Park Chung-hee… ‘No political meaning’

Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo expressed “regret” amid opposition from the Daegu City Council and local civic groups over the city’s plan to erect a statue of Park Chung-hee.

On the 25th, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo posted on his social media, “A statue of former President Park Chung-hee has already been erected in Gumi and Gyeongji, and although it is not the first time for Daegu City to erect one, some groups are opposing it. “I’m sorry,” he said.

He added, “When evaluating historical figures, there is always merit and demerit, but it is also unfortunate that only the merits are brought up and opposed.”

At the same time, Mayor Hong announced that he would promote the erection of a statue to commemorate former President Park Chung-hee’s spirit of industrialization.

He said, “It is not about idolizing former President Park Chung-hee, but the intention of the citizens of Daegu is probably no different from mine in pushing for the erection of a statue to commemorate his spirit of industrialization in Daegu, the starting point of Korea’s industrialization.”

He also said, “If we accept the pressure of those who always oppose, this will be an action that goes against the will of the citizens of Daegu.” “I respect former President Park Chung-hee’s spirit of industrialization, which helped us grow,” he said.

Finally, he concluded, “It is not right to oppose it solely for political reasons when there is no political intention.”

Previously, backlash arose when Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo announced that he would promote the erection of a Park Chung-hee statue and the creation of Park Chung-hee Park as a commemorative project to foster the industrialization spirit of Park Chung-hee.

Local civic groups voiced opposition, saying, “Park Chung-hee is a sinner of history and not a person who should be commemorated. The erection of a statue of Park Chung-hee is truly a historical regression, and we are trying to prevent this regression now.”

The Daegu City Council also took issue with the ordinance related to the budget plan for the construction of Park Chung-hee’s hill at the second plenary session of the extraordinary session on the 23rd, saying, “The order of the commemorative project is to listen to various opinions through public discussion and then gain sympathy and support,” adding, “The reason this procedure is missing is “It shows Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo’s ‘self-righteous’ administration,” he criticized.