Independence Hall board to meet next week over motion demanding chief's dismissal

▲ This file photo shows Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul (R) and Kim Hyoung-suk (L), the chief of the Independence Hall of Korea, attending a parliamentary audit session of the veterans ministry on Oct. 28, 2025. (Yonhap)

museum director-dismissal motion

Independence Hall board to meet next week over motion demanding chief's dismissal

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- The Independence Hall of Korea is expected to hold a board meeting next week to discuss and approve a motion demanding the chief's dismissal amid his alleged corruption and other allegations.

A special audit by the veterans ministry showed Kim Hyoung-suk, director of the history museum, allegedly used the facility for private purposes and committed irregularities among other things, according to Rep. Kim Yong-man of the ruling Democratic Party (DP).

Rep. Kim is one of six board members of the museum commemorating Korea's independence movement during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, who demanded a board meeting to discuss a motion requesting Kim's removal. The board of directors consists of 15 members.

If the motion for the dismissal is passed, the veterans minister will submit a request for his removal to President Lee Jae Myung.

The audit findings disclosed on Tuesday listed 14 irregularities committed by Kim, including issues related to the rent-free leasing of basic assets, and receiving money and solicitation of donations.

Kim had earlier filed an appeal against the audit results, but the veterans ministry rejected the request.

The DP has called for Kim's resignation, describing Kim, appointed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, as a conservative New Right scholar with a "distorted" view of history.

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