Concerns Arise Over National Assembly's July 17th Ceremony Planning

As preparations for the Constitution Day ceremony unfold, Tak Hyun-min, the event planning advisor to the National Assembly Speaker, expressed his dilemma about whether to invite singer Kim Heung-guk to perform 'March for the Beloved.' Kim, who served as a special advisor for the National Unification 21 candidate Jeong Mong-joon during the 2002 presidential election, has since shown support for conservative candidates. On June 19, during an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Tak noted that the Constitution Day event differs significantly from previous presidential or national events, admitting, 'Honestly, I hadn't thought about it.' He acknowledged that Constitution Day is not a widely recognized national holiday, which led him to initially overlook its significance. However, he realized the potential for political bias in the event's content, stating, 'This is an event that clearly involves both the ruling and opposition parties, and if we create content that leans too far in one direction, the other side may feel uncomfortable.' Reflecting on past ceremonies, Tak mentioned that they primarily featured traditional performances like mask dances and lion dances, questioning why such neutral content was favored. He shared his internal struggle, saying, 'I was sitting alone yesterday, contemplating whether I should ask Kim Heung-guk to sing 'March for the Beloved.' It's an extreme joke, but I'm seriously considering it and need to finalize my thoughts this week.' Tak previously served as the protocol secretary at the Blue House during former President Moon Jae-in's administration, where he planned various government events. The upcoming Constitution Day ceremony is expected to coincide with the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, heightening interest in the event.