Presidential Office Spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said about President Lee Jae-myung's remarks on "Hwandangogi (桓檀古記)" that "this does not mean he agrees with the claims or has ordered research or review on them."
Kim, the Spokesperson, held a briefing at the presidential office on the 14th and explained about Lee's remarks that "the point was that if it is an institution that studies history, it should have a clear position on individual matters."
Earlier, on the 12th, Lee asked Northeast Asian History Foundation Chair Park Ji-hyang about Hwandangogi, referring to it as a "text." The opposition criticized Lee for sparking an unnecessary controversy over Hwandangogi, which has been found to be a forged book.
On this, Kim, the Spokesperson, said, "Lee's conclusion is that what matters is the perspective and position from which we view history, and that within that, fundamental differences in stance are arising," adding, "It can be seen as asking how they think about issues such as pro-Japanese collaboration, the (comfort women) issue involving wartime mobilization, and sovereignty over Dokdo; and from what perspective and position they are researching and establishing their view of history in response to such questions; and whether a proper view of history is now in place."
He went on, "If there is a controversy unfolding, it should be addressed head-on, and a place that studies history should have its own position," adding, "I would like to note that Lee is not someone who has resolved problems by avoiding them."
Kim, the Spokesperson, also addressed a question about whether Lee received a business report from Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) President Lee Hak-jae in a high-handed and aggressive manner, saying, "There seem to be views that 'because the president of the agency is from the opposition party, the president took a high-handed or aggressive stance,' but it seems to look that way because it is being viewed that way."