The 11th Uibyeong Day Commemoration Ceremony... Held on June 1 at Geumseonggwan Area, Naju, Jeonnam

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The 11th Uibyeong Day commemorative ceremony will be held on June 1 at Geumseonggwan in Naju, Jeollanam-do, the center of the Southern Uibyeong, with representatives of nationwide Uibyeong organizations, descendants, local residents, and students in attendance.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 31st, the ceremony, hosted by the Ministry and co-organized by Jeollanam-do and Naju City, will minimize the number of attendees and follow quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It will also be broadcast live online via a YouTube channel. Attendees include Lee Jae-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do; Kang In-gyu, Mayor of Naju; Shin Jung-hoon, Member of the National Assembly; Kim Won-woong, Chairman of the Liberation Association; and Lee Gyu-jin, Senior Vice President of the Uibyeong Memorial Project Federation.

President Moon Jae-in will also send a memorial wreath to commemorate 'Uibyeong Day' and pay tribute to the spirits of the Uibyeong patriots. Established as a national memorial day in May 2010, 'Uibyeong Day' is observed on June 1, the first day of the Month of National Defense and Veterans, to honor and inherit the noble spirit of sacrifice of the Uibyeong. This year marks the 11th anniversary.

The Geumseonggwan in Naju, Jeollanam-do, where this event is held, is Treasure No. 2037 and was the site where Kim Cheon-il (1537?1593), the Uibyeong commander who first raised the Uibyeong in Honam during the Imjin War, held the departure ceremony.

This year’s theme for 'Uibyeong Day' is 'We Are All Uibyeong.' It carries the hope of overcoming COVID-19 through solidarity and cooperation by embodying the Uibyeong spirit for the community amid the pandemic. In Naju, side events reflecting on the Uibyeong spirit in daily life are being held, such as the 'Citizen Uibyeong Archive,' a relay interview series on righteousness starting May 16, and 'Uibyeong Saving the Earth,' which raises awareness of environmental issues.

On June 1, the program will proceed in the following order: a video reenactment of the departure ceremony from the Imjin Uibyeong to the late Joseon Uibyeong and anti-Japanese independence movements, a parade of citizen Uibyeong groups, reading of letters addressed to the Uibyeong, commemorative speeches, a total play themed on the Uibyeong, a chorus of the Uibyeong song, and a three cheers of "Manse."

The 'Letter to the Uibyeong' will be read by Park So-young, a 6th-grade student at Bitnuri Elementary School and winner of the contest, expressing respect and commitment to the Uibyeong patriots who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

Lee Jae-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said ahead of the event, “The Uibyeong symbolize overcoming national crises and represent the unique spirit of sacrifice for the community of our people. The success of K-quarantine was also possible because all citizens endured inconveniences and actively cooperated for the community. I hope that ‘Uibyeong Day’ will serve as an opportunity this year to overcome COVID-19 and return to ordinary daily life.”

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