Gyeongbuk Province Launches Housing Improvement for Descendants of Independence Activists... First Project in Andong Imha-myeon

Korea Habitat Agreement... Remodeling of House of Andong Im Yun-ik's Descendants

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo participating directly in the renovation project of the house of descendants of independence activists in Andong on the 16th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Dongwook Park] On the afternoon of the 16th, a large number of prominent figures gathered at an old and shabby detached house in Imha-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongbuk Province, attracting the attention of the local residents.

This house is where Elder Im Sijae, a descendant of Im Yoon-ik, who led the independence movement in the Andong area during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919, currently resides.

On this day, about 15 people gathered here, including Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Yoon Hyung-joo, Chairman of Korea Habitat; Kim Hyung-dong, Member of the National Assembly; Kwon Kwang-taek, Gyeongbuk Provincial Assembly member; Kwon Young-se, Mayor of Andong; Jeong Jin-young, Director of the Gyeongbuk Independence Movement Memorial Hall; Lee Yong-ok, Director of the Gyeongbuk Youth Volunteer Group; Lee Dong-il, Head of the Gwangbokhoe Gyeongbuk Branch; and young journalists.

Their visit was because this house was selected as the first project target of the "Gyeongsangbuk-do Independence Patriots Descendants Housing Improvement Project." The housing improvement project for descendants of independence patriots began as part of the "Hope House Repair Work Agreement" signed on the 14th of last month between Gyeongbuk Province, Korea Habitat, and the Gyeongbuk Youth Volunteer Group.

The house of Elder Im Sijae, passed down through four generations, was worn out in many places, with soil debris falling from the exterior walls even with slight impacts, and the stairs were high, causing inconvenience in daily life. The old bathroom was poor with cement coating, and in winter, the room was not well insulated against drafts, forcing the use of firewood for heating.

Housing improvement volunteers, after receiving prior training, took on their assigned roles such as painting the exterior walls, hammering nails into wood, and applying oil stain, participating in the basic remodeling work. Korea Habitat plans to complete the full remodeling of this house before Chuseok.

Elder Im Sijae, a descendant of an independence patriot, expressed deep gratitude together with Lee Dong-il, Head of the Gwangbokhoe Gyeongbuk Branch, saying, "So many people have come forward to recognize my grandfather who fought for independence and to help his descendants, which warms my heart."

Yoon Hyung-joo, Chairman of Korea Habitat and once famous as a singer of the 'Sseseebong' era, emphasized, "Today’s Republic of Korea is a miracle created by the dedication of independence patriots who sacrificed their youth and lives to reclaim the homeland. We will not forget this and will continue to strive to give back, even in small ways."

Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, "Although Bae Seon-du, the only surviving patriot in Gyeongbuk, has passed away, his noble patriotic spirit remains through the descendants of independence activists. Gyeongbuk, the land of national defense, will do its best to provide appropriate respect to those who made today’s Korea possible and their families."

Meanwhile, Gyeongbuk Province and Korea Habitat plan to carry out housing improvement projects for up to 10 households this year. They intend to expand the project annually to ensure that no descendants of independence patriots suffer from poor housing conditions within Gyeongbuk Province.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.