On the 23rd, civic groups in Daegu opposed the installation of a statue of former President Park Chung-hee at the East Daegu Station Plaza.

Dignitaries, including Hong Jun-pyo, Daegu Mayor, attend the 'Park Chung-hee Statue Unveiling Ceremony' held at Dongdaegu Station Square in Dong-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of the 23rd, and pose for a commemorative photo after unveiling the statue. /Courtesy of News1

The Anti-Park Chung-hee Idolization Citizens' Movement Headquarters held a 'Park Chung-hee idolization opposition and Daegu mayor condemnation citizens' rally’ at 12:30 p.m. at the East Daegu Station Plaza, where the statue of the former president was installed.

The group mentioned the pro-Japanese and dictatorial history of the former president, noting that 'the historical evaluation of former President Park is still ongoing' and called for the removal of the statue, which they claimed ignored the will of the citizens.

They also directed criticism at Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, stating that 'an illegal (statue installation) act is being committed' and demanded, 'Mayor Hong, who worships the dictator Park, should resign.'

(Daegu=News1) Reporter Nam Seung-ryeol = The 'Citizen Movement Headquarters Against Park Chung-hee Idolization Project,' composed of civic groups from across political spectrums, holds a 'Daegu Citizens Rally Against Park Chung-hee Statue Installation' at Dongdaegu Station Square, Sincheon-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of the 23rd, urging the removal of the 'Park Chung-hee Statue'. Dec. 23, 2024/Courtesy of News1

Earlier, the group held a 'Condemnation of Park Chung-hee statue installation' press conference in front of Daegu City Hall's Sangyeok office.

The Daegu branch of the Democratic Party of Korea also held a press conference at 11 a.m. at East Daegu Station Plaza, strongly condemning the illegal installation of the Park Chung-hee statue.

The branch claimed, 'Although the Korea Railroad Corporation filed for an injunction to stop construction at the Daegu District Court on the 13th, Daegu City installed the statue on the 21st, before the results were released. This is a clear illegal act.'

While conservative figures once criticized the rally and press conference with loud voices, there were no major clashes as police intervened.

Daegu City is holding a statue unveiling ceremony of the former president at 2 p.m. at East Daegu Station Plaza, with Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and others in attendance.

Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency deployed over 400 officers to the area around the unveiling ceremony venue and set up order maintenance lines (barriers).