Independence Hall of Korea Director Kim Hyeong-seok repeatedly said he has no intention of resigning voluntarily.
At the National Assembly National Policy Committee audit on the 16th, when a ruling party lawmaker asked, "Do you have no intention of stepping down on your own?" Director Kim answered, "I have no intention of resigning."
Kim added, "We are working so that the public can establish a proper view of the nation with pride and dignity," and said, "Going forward, all members, including myself, will fulfill the responsibility and duty of an institution that upholds the spirit of independence and contributes to national unity."
Appointed under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Director Kim said in the speech marking the 80th Liberation Day that "liberation was a gift received from the Allied forces." In response, the Democratic Party criticized it as "a distorted view of history" and has called for his resignation.
At the audit that day, Kim's past remarks and the controversy over the privatization of Independence Hall facilities were again put on the chopping block.
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-man, the great-grandson of Baekbeom Kim Gu, criticized, "The director claims that our ancestors' nationality during the Japanese colonial period was Japanese and that liberation was a gift won by the victory of the Allied powers, so the historical identity of Independence Hall is being damaged," adding, "A person without qualifications has taken the post of director."
Kim Hyeon-jeong of the same party pointed out, "Director Kim freely lent Independence Hall facilities to groups such as the ROTC alumni association, and negligence of duty was also confirmed." She went on, "While receiving an annual salary of 140 million won paid from taxpayers' money, how can someone with a mess of attendance and a pro-Japanese view of history serve as director of Independence Hall?"
In response, Kim explained, "It is based on the vehicle operation log and is different from actual negligence," adding, "I live 24 hours in official housing, and I often commute not only by car but also on foot."
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said it will push a plan to recommend the Minister dismiss the Independence Hall director if the director committed acts in violation of laws or the articles of association, or if there is a significant impediment to performing duties. The ministry is currently conducting a special audit into Kim's controversy over privatizing Independence Hall, budget execution, and use of business expenses.