Gov't moves to stop park for communist Jeong Yul-sung also known as Zheng Lucheng.

Gwangju city government is spending 4.8 billion won in building a park, commemorating the composer. He is celebrated in China and North Korea for composing the anthems for both the Chinese and North Korean militaries.

A signboard that shows the life and achievement of the Korean-Chinese composer Jeong Yul-sung along the road named after him at Yangnim-dong, Namgu District in Gwangju. [YONHAP]

The government has initiated a legal review to prevent the construction of a park in Gwangju that would commemorate the naturalized Chinese composer Jeong Yul-sung, also known as Zheng Lucheng.

While the composer is revered in China and North Korea for composing the military anthems for both countries, not is barely known in South Korea, where he is considered an enemy who attacked the South during the Korean War.

A lawmaker from the People Power Party (PPP) told the JoongAng Ilbo on Sunday that the government is exploring all available options, including legal measures, to prevent the local government from using taxes for unconstitutional projects.

According to the PPP lawmaker, the government is examining Article 184 and 188 of the Local Autonomy Act, which allow the central government to provide advice or guidance to local governments.

Furthermore, the relevant department's minister could mandate changes within a specified timeframe if the local government's project is deemed harmful to the public interest.

If the requested changes are not implemented, the project could be suspended or even canceled.

"In addition, [the government] is considering other options, including an audit by the Korea Board of Audit and Inspection and filing a constitutional complaint," the PPP lawmaker said.

"We will take all possible actions that could challenge the constitutionality of our nation's foundation."

The controversy surrounding Jeong came to light when Minister of Patriot and Veterans Affairs Park Min-shik criticized the Gwangju city government for spending 4.8 billion won ($3.6 million) in tax money on a park commemorating "a communist" who fought for China's interests.

"Building a commemorative park for a Chinese and North Korean hero?" Park wrote on Facebook. "How is this different from building a commemorative park for Kim Il Sung for fighting against Japan?"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung responded by accusing the minister of being stuck in ideological biases and affirming that the city would continue with the park project.

"Gwangju neither glorifies nor belittles Jeong Yul-sung," Kang said. "From Gwangju's perspective, he is an exceptional musician, and his life reflects the pain of the era."

"Thanks to his achievements as an exceptional musician, many Chinese tourists visit Gwangju," Kang added. "Even in the heart of Berlin, Germany, there are statues of [Karl] Marx and [Friedrich] Engels, along with a street named after Marx."

Chinese composer Jeong Yul-sung also known as Zheng Lucheng [JOONGANG ILBO]

The mother of Marine Staff Sergeant Suh Jung-woo, who died on Nov. 23, 2010, after North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island, demanded that the Gwangju government withdraw the project.

"I cannot understand how we could commemorate a person who aided North Korea and the Chinese communist cause, while showing no interest in our own patriots," said Kim Oh-bok, a 63-year-old Gwangju native, in a Kakao message sent to the Gwangju mayor. "This project ignites the anger and brings tears of sorrow to every patriot and veteran's family."

In February, Kim concluded her 37-year career as an educator. Her final position was as the principal of Gwangju Daesung Girls' High School.

Despite Kang's plea to refrain from politicizing the matter, South Jeolla has undertaken several projects related to the Chinese composer.

Hwasun County in South Jeolla spent 1.2 billion won in 2019 to build a replica of the home where Jeong was born.

One of the descriptions accompanying the displayed photos of the composer refers to the Korean War as the "War to Resist America and Aid Korea," the official Chinese nomenclature for the conflict fought between 1950 and 1953.

In 2017, the same county spent 100 million won to paint an 11-meter-tall, 10-meter-wide portrait of the composer on the wall of Neungju Elementary School, believed to be the school he attended.

In 2017, the Moon Jae-in government also attempted to designate Jeong a man of national merit, but the Veteran Ministry denied the request.

This request followed President Moon's mention of Jeong as one of the Chinese figures commemorated in Korea.

"In Gwangju, there is a road named after the Korean Jeong Yul-sung, who composed the military anthem of China’s People Liberation Army, and even today many Chinese visitors explore the house where he was born along Jeong Yul-sung Road," he said in a speech at Peking University on Dec. 17, 2017.

Jeong is believed to have been born in Gwangju in 1918.

While he is not well-known in South Korea, he is celebrated in China and North Korea for composing the anthems for both the Chinese and North Korean militaries, which are still played during marches today.

North Korea even produced a movie about Jeong's life.

Although there is no official record clearly indicating whether Jeong fought with independent fighters during the Japanese colonial period, the musician joined the Chinese communist army during the Korean War.

He was naturalized as a Chinese citizen in 1956.

BY LEE HO-JEONG, HYEON IL-HOON [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]