Daejeon Cultural Foundation's Controversial Plan to Publish Pro-Japanese Writer Jeon Hyung's Collected Works: Why Fund Pro-Japanese Literature with Tax Money?

Recently, the Daejeon Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with the Daejeon Literary Museum, has sparked significant controversy by planning to publish a collected works of Chunpa Jeon Hyung, a pro-Japanese writer from the Japanese colonial era. Jeon Hyung is known for his explicit pro-Japanese writings during the colonial period, and the fact that this project is being funded by public money has raised serious concerns. In this blog post, we will explore the details of the Daejeon Cultural Foundation's publication plan, the ensuing controversy, and the reactions from various parties.

 

Chunpa Jeon Hyung (1907-1980), born in Okcheon, Chungbuk, was an influential literary figure and journalist during the Japanese occupation and after liberation. His literary output spanned poetry, sijo, essays, critiques, and novels, beginning his career in the 1930s. However, recent discoveries have revealed that Jeon Hyung wrote several pro-Japanese articles during the colonial period. He published these writings in pro-Japanese magazines such as "Kokumin Bungaku" and "Chogwang" from 1942 to 1943, justifying Japan's wars and advocating for cultural unification under Japanese rule.

 

For instance, his 1942 article "The Morality of War" in "Kokumin Bungaku" praised a novel that justified the Sino-Japanese War and proposed what literature should do to support war. Similarly, his 1943 articles "The Hope of Manchurian Literature" and "The Trials of Literature" continued to endorse Japanese war efforts and governance. Jeon Hyung's work in these magazines, which were established to promote Japanese ideology, has been critically reviewed as an example of pro-Japanese literature from that era.

 

Despite this, the Daejeon Cultural Foundation is moving forward with their plan to publish Jeon Hyung's collected works. The Foundation and the Daejeon Literary Museum have argued that publishing this collection will shed light on Jeon Hyung's contributions to literature, believing it will enrich the literary history of Daejeon and Korea. However, with the recent revelations of his pro-Japanese activities, this decision has been met with considerable backlash.

 

Critics, including literary critic Park Soo-yeon, argue that publishing a pro-Japanese writer's works with public funds is inappropriate. Park Soo-yeon has pointed out that Jeon Hyung's writings were not merely products of the era but were deeply aligned with Japanese ideology, and his work actively supported Japanese rule and war efforts. Despite these objections, the Daejeon Cultural Foundation has indicated that they will proceed with the publication, focusing on Jeon Hyung's post-liberation works while excluding those from the colonial period.

 

The Daejeon Cultural Foundation's plan to publish Chunpa Jeon Hyung's collected works has ignited a significant debate about the role of public institutions in promoting literature. While recognizing the importance of Jeon Hyung's literary contributions, the use of public funds to promote a writer with clear pro-Japanese affiliations raises serious ethical questions. This situation highlights the need for public institutions to approach cultural projects with a deep sense of historical responsibility and sensitivity to public sentiment. It is crucial for the Daejeon Cultural Foundation and the Daejeon Literary Museum to carefully consider the implications of their actions and ensure that their projects align with historical integrity and public values.

3 Line Summary for You

The Daejeon Cultural Foundation's plan to publish a collected works of pro-Japanese writer Chunpa Jeon Hyung has sparked controversy. Critics argue that using public funds to promote a writer with pro-Japanese affiliations is inappropriate. The foundation plans to exclude works from the colonial period but faces ongoing criticism.

 

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