"No Approval Granted"... What's Happening with the Park Chung-hee Statue Erected Under Hong Joon-pyo

Whether the statue of Park Chung-hee should be removed or left in place.

Debates for and against are unfolding ahead of a court ruling that will decide the fate of the former President Park Chung-hee statue erected in the square of Dongdaegu Station.

This statue was erected in the Dongdaegu Station square in December 2014 during the tenure of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.

Then, in January of last year, the Korea National Railway filed a lawsuit against Daegu City, asking the court to determine the legality of the statue's installation.

Let's look at the arguments from both sides.

First, the railway authority took issue with the procedures, stating that it holds ownership of the square and that no prior review or approval was granted regarding the installation of the statue.

On the other hand, Daegu City counters that a number of facilities had already been installed in the Dongdaegu Station square even before the statue was put up, making Daegu City effectively the managing entity of the square.

The first-instance ruling to determine whether the statue will remain will be delivered on October 1.

Recently, however, 15 conservative-leaning organizations issued a joint statement demanding that the Korea National Railway drop the lawsuit.

They argue that even if there were deficiencies in administrative procedures, taking measures to remove a statue with such great symbolic significance cannot be justified.

Conversely, some local civic groups are arguing for the removal of the statue, stating that figures wrapped in controversy over dictatorship cannot be commemorated.

(Photo source: Daegu Metropolitan City Hall)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.