Daegu mayor's plan to build statue of ex-President Park Chung-hee stirs controversy

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo holds a meeting with a group of reporters at Daegu City Hall, Tuesday. Yonhap

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has sparked controversy with his proposal to rename Dongdaegu Station Square to "Park Chung-hee Square" and build a statue of the former president at the site.

The outspoken conservative politician disclosed his plans through Facebook recently, saying that the time is ripe to honor the legacy of Park, who the mayor said, "represents Daegu."

The legacy of the late military dictator, who served as president for 18 years until he was assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979, remains a controversial figure in Korea, with many accusing him of stifling democracy with his authoritarian rule. But he still commands huge support from conservatives, who praise him for laying the foundation for the country’s rapid economic development.

In a Facebook post, the mayor expressed regret, noting the disparity between the limited spaces commemorating Park's accomplishments in Daegu compared to Gwangju, which boasts numerous facilities and installations dedicated to former liberal President Kim Dae-jung.

“I will begin accepting opinions from citizens regarding the proposal to rename Dongdaegu Station Square as Park Chung-hee Square and building Park’s statue there,” Hong wrote.

The mayor’s comments provoked immediate criticism from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

In a statement, the Daegu branch of the party pointed out that the public's assessment of Park has already been established. They also questioned the timing of Hong's Facebook post, particularly with the April 10 general elections approaching.

“Hong's plans would be considered controversial unless they aim to acknowledge a contentious figure in history and educate the public about his actions,” it said.

Jang Ji-hyuck, a senior member of a civic group based in Daegu, also said, “Mayor Hong has been inconsistent as he had criticized Park for his dictatorship, but now he is moving to honor the former president.”