Park Chung Hee Statue to Remain at Dongdaegu Station

[Financial News, Daegu = Kim Jang-wook] A statue of former President Park Chung Hee installed in Dongdaegu Station plaza will remain in place.
The 11th Civil Division of Daegu District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kwon Jun-beom, ruled on October 1 against Korea National Railway in a lawsuit it filed against Daegu Metropolitan City seeking delivery of the structure.
The court ruled, "All of the plaintiff's claims are dismissed," adding, "Korea National Railway must also bear the litigation costs."
The court did not provide a separate explanation of the grounds for its ruling.
However, immediately after the verdict, the court explained, "After reviewing the case, the court dismissed the claims because Daegu Metropolitan City's right to use or manage the elevated bridge was recognized around the time the statue was erected."
The ruling came about 1 year and 10 months after the statue was installed in December 2024, during the tenure of former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
The central issues in the lawsuit were the authority to manage and use Dongdaegu Station plaza and the legality of installing the statue.
Korea National Railway demanded the removal of the statue and delivery of the structure, claiming that Daegu Metropolitan City had installed the statue of former President Park Chung Hee on the state-owned Dongdaegu Station plaza without prior consent or consultation.
It argued in particular that prior consent was required to install facilities because ownership and possessory rights remained with Korea National Railway until final completion approval was granted for the Dongdaegu Station elevated bridge and plaza.
Daegu Metropolitan City countered that it had effectively managed Dongdaegu Station plaza and that demanding the removal of only Park Chung Hee's statue, while raising no issue with the installation of other facilities, was inequitable.
The city also argued that Korea National Railway's demand to transfer ownership of the plaza only after the statue was removed constituted an abuse of rights, given that the related project was effectively complete and only completion approval remained.
After the verdict was announced, conservative groups that had held a rally opposing the statue's removal in front of Daegu District Court since around 9 a.m. cheered while chanting, "President Park Chung Hee, long live a just Republic of Korea!"
Korea National Railway is reportedly expected to determine its next steps after receiving the written ruling.
Meanwhile, Daegu Metropolitan City installed the statue of former President Park Chung Hee in Dongdaegu Station plaza on December 23, 2024, during the tenure of former mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and held an unveiling ceremony.
The approximately 3-meter-tall statue was part of a memorial project for former President Park Chung Hee pursued by Daegu Metropolitan City with a budget of approximately 600 million won.
Controversy over the statue continued in the local community from the time of its installation. Civic groups calling for its removal urged the court to order the removal of the facility, arguing that it had been installed on a state-owned plaza without consultation. Those opposing the removal submitted to the court signatures from 30,602 citizens calling for the statue to remain.

[email protected] Kim Jang-wook Reporter