President Moon Returns General Hong Beom-do's Remains: "A Very Meaningful Homecoming for Us"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 15th, marking Liberation Day, President Moon Jae-in, who attended the repatriation ceremony of the remains of independence activist General Hong Beom-do, called it "a very meaningful return for us" and urged efforts for follow-up work such as turning the burial site into a park.

The Blue House announced on the 16th that President Moon made these remarks during a conversation with the special envoy group, including Hwang Ki-chul, Director of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Woo Won-shik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and actor Jo Jin-woong, after the repatriation ceremony on the evening of the 15th.

President Moon said, "It is a very meaningful return for us," and asked, "Is the Korean community in Kazakhstan not saddened by sending off General Hong Beom-do’s remains?" In response, Representative Woo said, "The Koreans in Kazakhstan are very saddened to see their leader sent off."

Representative Woo added, "Due to personnel restrictions caused by COVID-19, many people could not enter the remains recovery and memorial ceremony and had to watch from the outskirts."

President Moon instructed, "Since General Hong was highly respected by the Koreans, it is natural that they feel saddened, but please make thorough efforts on follow-up work such as turning the burial site into a park to soothe their regrets and allow them to continuously hold memorial feelings."

Also, to actor Jo Jin-woong, who is scheduled to serve as an ambassador for the Hong Beom-do Memorial Project Association, President Moon requested, "Since some people among the public do not fully know about General Hong Beom-do, please actively promote his life and noble spirit as a leader in the anti-Japanese independence movement, centered on the Memorial Project Association."

When President Moon asked about the remains recovery process, Director Hwang of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs replied, "The entire process went smoothly," and said, "This repatriation of remains was possible because President Moon had a strong will and closely consulted with the President of Kazakhstan."

He added, "Upon entering the Republic of Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), the remains were escorted by six air force fighter jets, and I thought, 'This is what a nation is, welcoming the general’s return like this.'"

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