hankyoreh

It has been confirmed that many figures representing and leaning towards the New Right, who have advocated that South Korea had been modernized during Japan's colonial rule, hold a significant role in the Lee Myung-bak government.

Kim Yu-jeong, the spokesperson of the opposition Democratic Party (DP) released a report that Lee receives the support of 20 persons who are affiliated with the New Right on Aug 14, the day before Korea’s Independence Day.

According to Kim’s announcement, six lawmakers of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) are part of the New Right, including Shin Ji-ho who is a former member of Solidarity for Freedom. Yu Seok-chun, the former representative of New Right United, is taking a lead role in creating the GNP's political campaign strategy. The Legislation Minister, Lee Seok-yeon and Je Seong-ho, the Ambassador for Human Rights, are also former presidents of New Right United.

Lee Chang-yong, the vice chairperson of the Financial Supervisory Commission is an executive member of the Solidarity for Freedom and Lee Jae-kyo, the director of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Korea is a vice president of Solidarity for Freedom. The director of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Korea, Kang Hyung-kyu, also comes from a New Right group, the Forum for Textbooks.

It has been disclosed that Lee Sang-mok, a senior presidential secretary who had said serving as a collaborator under Japanese colonial had been inevitable, had been a former aide to Kim Jin-hong, the chairman of New Right United.

In the area of broadcasting, Kim Dong-kwan, Cha Ki-whan and Choi Hong-jae, three new directors elected to the Foundation for Broadcast Culture are also from New Right groups.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]