Kim Hyoung-suk, the newly appointed chief of the Independence Hall of Korea, has faced calls for his resignation due to allegations of holding controversial views on Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Despite the criticism, Kim, a former conservative professor, has refused to step down and denied being a supporter of the New Right political movement, which justifies Japan's colonial rule over Korea. The liberal bloc and the Heritage of Korean Independence have urged for Kim's resignation over his alleged New Right views, while Kim has stated his commitment to promoting the spirit of independence and unification of Korean citizens during his tenure. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and other liberal minor opposition parties have called for President Yoon Suk Yeol to retract Kim's appointment, with the Democratic Party threatening to boycott the government's Liberation Day celebration if the appointment is not retracted. Additionally, the HKI and other pro-independence organizations have announced that they will not participate in any celebratory events tied to Liberation Day if Kim does not step down. The HKI's accusations are based on a video showing Kim questioning the historical significance of Liberation Day and his alleged statement during his interview for the chief position, suggesting that Koreans were citizens of Japan during the colonial occupation, which contradicts the organization's beliefs.