New chief of Independence Hall of Korea to be appointed next week

▲ Kim Hui-gon, the inaugural director of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government, delivers his welcoming speech at a special exhibition of Korea's provisional government held in Belgium in this June 19, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)

history museum-new director

New chief of Independence Hall of Korea to be appointed next week

SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung will appoint Kim Hui-gon, the inaugural director of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government, as the chief the Independence Hall of Korea next week, the veterans ministry said Friday.

Kim will take office Monday, the ministry said, noting his expertise as a long-time scholar of the history of Korea's independence movement against Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule is well suited for a chief of the Independence Hall of Korea. His three-year term will end in April 2029.

The appointment comes as Kim Hyoung-suk, former director of the history museum, was removed from the post in February over allegations of using the state-run organization for private purposes and engaging in irregularities.

Kim Hui-gon, who holds a master's and doctorate degree in the history of independence movements, has served in a range of key roles, including as a history professor at Gyeongkuk National University and director of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Independence Movement Memorial.

He was appointed the inaugural director of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government that opened in 2022 to shed light on the role of Korea's provisional government during Japan's colonial rule.

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