“Daegu Mayoral Candidates, Stop the Anachronistic Revival of Park Chung-hee”

A growing chorus of civic organizations in Daegu is pushing back against what they describe as an "anachronistic" reliance on the legacy of the late dictator Park Chung-hee by mayoral candidates. These groups argue that invoking Park's name is a regressive tactic that ignores the current pressing challenges facing the city, such as economic decline and the exodus of young people.

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Daegu mayoral candidates must stop the anachronistic invocation of Park Chung-hee and promise to remove the Park Chung-hee statue at Dongdaegu Station.

The protest, centered around the Park Chung-hee statue at Dongdaegu Station, highlights the deep divisions within Daegu regarding its historical identity and future direction. Critics contend that the statue itself has become a symbol of a divisive past, contributing to the city's negative image and hindering its progress. They assert that Daegu needs to move beyond figures associated with authoritarianism and embrace a future focused on reconciliation, democratic values, and economic revitalization.

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Park Chung-hee is only an object of liquidation. What Daegu needs now is not a figure from the past.

Despite these calls for a forward-looking approach, several prominent candidates, including those from the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, have actively courted Park's historical image. Some have even proposed renaming key facilities, such as the EXCO convention center, after Park, echoing past campaign promises. This strategy is seen by opponents as a desperate attempt to appeal to a conservative base, rather than a genuine vision for Daegu's future.

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We must overcome regionalism and the politics of color left by the Park Chung-hee era.

The civic groups are urging candidates to instead focus on tangible solutions for Daegu's problems: creating quality jobs, fostering political and social diversity, and building a city where young people can thrive. They believe that true leadership lies in confronting the present challenges head-on and charting a course toward a more inclusive and prosperous future, free from the shadows of the past. The debate over Park Chung-hee's legacy is thus a proxy for a larger discussion about Daegu's identity and its aspirations in the 21st century.

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We will lead Daegu's new leap forward with the determination and drive of former President Park Chung-hee, who set South Korea on its feet.