Hong Jun-pyo says court ruling against removal of Park Chung-hee statue brings 'relief'

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo said Thursday's court ruling rejecting a demand to remove a statue of former President Park Chung-hee from Dongdaegu Station plaza gave him "a sense of relief that the judiciary is still alive."

In a Facebook post Thursday, Hong said he had endured taunts that the statue resembled him, adding that he had "held back patiently, believing that consciences would still be alive."

Hong also warned against what he called a double standard in the debate over historical monuments. "While historical figures may have mixed legacies, those who insist on tearing down statues of figures from the opposing camp while erecting monuments to their own heroes across the country must remember that such twisted logic only wounds the nation," he said.

A court on Thursday rejected Korea National Railway's demand to remove the statue of former President Park Chung-hee installed at Dongdaegu Station plaza.

The ruling came roughly one year and nine months after the statue was erected in December 2024, during Hong's tenure as Daegu mayor.

The court sided with Daegu in the legal dispute between Korea National Railway and the city over the legality of the statue's installation and the rights to manage and use the plaza.

Civil Division 11 of the Daegu District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kwon Jun-beom, ruled against Korea National Railway in its lawsuit against Daegu seeking the handover of the structure.

"All of the plaintiff's claims are dismissed. Court costs shall be borne by the plaintiff," the court ruled. The presiding judges did not offer detailed reasons for the ruling in open court. Shortly after the verdict, however, the Daegu District Court said the bench had dismissed the claims on the grounds that Daegu held recognized usage or management rights over the elevated structure at the time the statue was built.