The dispute over hoisting a giant national flag at Gwanghwamun Plaza, which pits the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans against the Seoul Metropolitan Government, goes beyond a policy conflict between the central government and a local government.

There has been a lot of talk and assertions from both sides, but put simply, the issue at stake is that the ministry wants to hoist a large national flag in the center of the nation’s capital and that the city government opposes the plan.

The ministry proposed in June that a 70-meter flagpole -- lowered to 45 meters later -- be installed at Gwanghwamun Plaza to fly the national flag -- which will be 12 meters by 8 meters -- for one year from Aug. 15, the Liberation Day holiday. The project was part of the government’s plans to celebrate the 70th anniversary of national liberation from the Japanese colonial rule.

But the city government, which has control over the plaza, rejected the proposal, instead suggesting that the ministry use the space only until the end of this year or set up the flagpole in a nearby open space or at a central government-controlled facility, like the Seoul Government Complex or National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, if it wants to fly the flag permanently.

Mayor Park Won-soon and other city officials cite several reasons for opposing the plan. But none of them make sense.

City officials said a citizens’ panel -- named the Open Plaza Operation Committee -- looked into the ministry proposal, and decided not to approve it.

First, they cited the possibility that the flagpole may hamper visitors moving around the plaza and spoil the scenery. This is simply ridiculous. The national flag -- “Taegeukgi” in Korean -- is a symbol of the republic and few visitors -- local or foreign -- would find it inconvenient or unusual.

And regarding the scenery, one is tempted to ask the panel members this question: What about the 15 tents related to the sinking of the Sewol ferry, which have been occupying a section of the plaza for 18 months? 

More disturbing is that some panel members mentioned that flying a giant national flag is “anachronistic” and that it sounds like a thing of “authoritarianism and totalitarianism.” Have none of them seen the national flags flying at many public places in the U.S. or Europe? Are those countries run by authoritarian governments?

There was a time when military dictators abused state symbols like the Taegeukgi and the national anthem to instill loyalty in their regimes, but those days are long gone.  

Now only some misguided radical liberals and leftists reject the state symbols, which is why the Seoul City’s obstinacy is truly disappointing.

Mayor Park and city officials deserve criticism for foiling a project which is supported by 87 percent of people as shown in a recent opinion survey. It would have been not only a worthy part of the liberation celebrations, but also a new landmark in the capital all Koreans would be proud of.

The ministry said it would ask the arbitration panel that mediates disputes between the central government and local governments to review the case. It is hoped that the panel will make a sensible decision.