"No Need to Remove Park Chung-hee Statue at Dongdaegu Station," Court Rules; Conservative Groups Cheer "Hooray"

[Financial News] The court rejected Korea National Railway's request to remove the statue of former President Park Chung-hee installed in the plaza at Dongdaegu Station.
Civil Division 11 of the Daegu District Court, presided over by Judge Kwon Jun-beom, ruled against Korea National Railway on the 1st in a lawsuit seeking the handover of the structure that the railway authority filed against Daegu Metropolitan City. In its ruling, the court said, "The court dismisses all of the plaintiff's claims," adding, "The plaintiff shall bear the litigation costs."
The ruling came about one year and nine months after the statue was installed in December 2024, during the tenure of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. It effectively put the court on Daegu Metropolitan City's side in the legal dispute between the railway authority and the city over the legality of the statue's installation and the rights to manage and use the plaza.
The Daegu District Court did not separately explain the detailed reasons for the ruling. However, immediately after the verdict, it said, "Following its review, 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."
Korea National Railway had previously demanded the removal of the statue, arguing that Daegu Metropolitan City had installed the statue of former President Park Chung-hee on state-owned land without separate consultation, making the installation illegal. At trial, the authority also argued, "As the structure was unlawfully installed, it must be removed."
Daegu Metropolitan City countered that it had the right to manage and use the plaza at Dongdaegu Station, and that demanding the removal of only the Park Chung-hee statue while allowing other facilities to remain was inconsistent with fairness. The city also argued that the railway authority's claim that ownership of the plaza would be transferred only if the statue was removed constituted an abuse of rights, given that the related project was effectively complete and only approval of completion remained.
According to Yonhap News Agency, conservative groups that had held a rally against the statue's removal in front of the Daegu District Court since around 9 a.m. cheered after the verdict was announced, chanting, "President Park Chung-hee, long live a just Republic of Korea!"
Korea National Railway is reportedly expected to decide how to respond after receiving the written judgment.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter