Government, Seoul clash over Taegeukgi
The artist’s drawing of a Taegeukgi that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs wants to hoist at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul. / Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans AffairsBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) are having a disagreement over flying a giant national flag at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul.The conflict emerged as the ministry wanted to fly the Taegeukgi measuring 12 meters by 8 meters on a 45-meter pole permanently affixed at the plaza to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese occupation this year, while the local government is refusing to do this.According to the ministry, Tuesday, the SMG told the ministry on Nov. 23 that the Taegeukgi can be flown only temporarily, saying that flying the national flag at the plaza all the time is an “old-fashioned idea.”The SMG has authority to permit the use of the plaza.“The city told us that it is proper to fly the Taegeukgi permanently only at government sites such as the government
