A domestic financial institution is under fire after inserting a design symbolizing Japan directly above the March 1 Independence Movement Day date on a calendar distributed to customers.
Seo Kyung-deok, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said on the 31st via personal social media that "citizens of Chuncheon in Gangwon reported it," noting that "the issue was with the March design of this year's calendar from Catholic Chuncheon Credit Union."
Photos released by Seo show that on the March calendar, an illustration of Japan's Mount Fuji, Osaka Castle and cherry blossoms appears directly above the 1st, which commemorates March 1 Independence Movement Day.
Seo said, "March 1 Independence Movement Day is a national holiday established to inherit and develop the spirit of the March 1 independence movement and to inspire national unity and patriotism," adding, "Putting such a design on the March calendar that includes March 1 Independence Movement Day is an act of disregarding financial institution customers."
Seo noted, "March is not only March 1 Independence Movement Day, but also a month with many martyrdom anniversaries of independence activists such as Ahn Joong-geun, Ahn Chang-ho and Lee Dong-nyeong," adding, "On Liberation Day last year, a video produced by a government agency included the Shinkansen tracks at Tokyo Station in Japan, causing a major controversy."
Seo said, "On national holidays such as March 1 Independence Movement Day and Liberation Day, productions must align with the public's basic sentiments," urging, "We must work harder to equip ourselves with a proper view of history."