Controversy Over New Independence Hall Director's Historical Views

독립기념관 신임 관장이 일제 치하 협력에 대한 논란의 여지가 있는 역사관을 조장했다는 이유로 반발에 직면했습니다.

### 역사왜곡 논란 속에 신임 독립기념관장을 둘러싼 논란
* 🚩 독립운동가 후손들이 독립기념관 입구에서 **김석 신임 관장의 취임식을 저지**하며 항의 시위를 벌였습니다.
* 🗣 김 대표는 **"잘못된 기록으로 인해 억울하게 친일파로 낙인찍힌 사람도 있다"**며 역사적 부정확성에 대한 우려를 표명했습니다.
* 📜 취임 첫날 **안익태, 백선엽 등 친일 행적이 있는 역사적 인물들의 명예 회복 필요성**을 언급해 논란이 일었습니다.
* ⚖ 그는 **"항일과 친일이라는 렌즈로만 판단할 수 없다"**며 이분법적인 역사관에 반대했습니다.
* 📉 광복회와 여러 시민단체는 김 교수의 시각에 격렬하게 반대하며 **친일 인사에 대한 연구 초점이 바뀔 수 있다**고 지적했습니다.
* 📅 광복회는 이번 사태를 계기로 **정부 주도의 광복절 기념식 초청을 거부**하기로 결정하고 **김 위원장이 사퇴할 때까지 항의**할 계획입니다.
* 📚 일본의 식민 지배를 정당화하는 듯한 과거 발언으로 인해 **김 감독에 대한 비판**도 이어져 감독으로서의 입지가 더욱 복잡해졌습니다.
* 🔍 논란이 확산되면서 많은 사람들이 이러한 역사관을 가진 사람을 **문화 및 역사 기관의 주요 직책에 임명**하는 것이 어떤 의미를 갖는지에 대해 의문을 제기하고 있습니다.

정말 독립기념관장 맞나? "피가 거꾸로 솟을 판" [뉴스.zip/MBC뉴스]

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MBCNEWS

Protest against the new director of the Independence Hall of Korea

Descendants of independence activists blocked the entrance, protesting the appointment of Kim Seok as the new director.

The inauguration ceremony was delayed for over 40 minutes due to the protest.

The new director, Kim Jang-yeol, acknowledged factual errors in historical records, leading to wrongful accusations of collaboration with Japan.

His statement implied that he would address the rehabilitation of individuals wrongly labeled as pro-Japanese collaborators.

Controversial views of the new director on historical figures

Kim showed interest in figures like An Ik-tae and Baek Seon-yeop, known for their collaboration with Japan during the colonial period.

He argued against a simplistic pro-Japanese/anti-Japanese dichotomy and defended Baek Seon-yeop, claiming his work with the Gando Special Force was misinterpreted.

He suggested Baek died with the undeserved label of pro-Japanese collaborator.

His historical perspective sparked strong opposition from the Korean Liberation Association and other civic groups.

The Korean Liberation Association refused the presidential invitation to the Liberation Day ceremony.

They plan to continue protests until the director resigns.

The association criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's appointment, stating that celebrating independence movements would be impossible if the claim that Koreans were Japanese citizens before 1948 was true.

The report highlights the director's past statements questioning the significance of August 15, 1945, as Liberation Day.

Background on the appointed director and controversies

Kim Seok's appointment faced strong opposition from the Korean Liberation Association due to his alleged justification of Japanese colonial rule.

His swift appointment occurred while relevant officials were absent.

Kim denied being a member of the New Right group, despite their association with the idea of 1948 as the founding year of the Republic of Korea.

He claimed his views on Hong Beom-do were impartial and that the general should be moved from the military academy.

The government previously appointed Park Yi-taek, despite strong opposition, as a director of the Independence Hall of Korea.

Kim's appointment to the National Academy of Korean Studies sparked further controversy.

His book, 'Anti-Japanese Tribalism', denied the forced nature of the comfort women issue and questioned the evidence supporting Dokdo as Korean territory.

The government's support for the Sado Mine's World Heritage listing, despite awareness of Japan's forced labor issue, is mentioned.

The Korean Liberation Association criticizes the government's appointments, suspecting pro-Japanese influence in key positions.