President Moon: "Awarding the Order of Merit to General Hong Beom-do... A firm pledge to uphold the general's spirit" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in awarded General Hong Beom-do the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea, on the 101st anniversary of the Bongodong Battle victory on the 17th.

General Hong had previously received the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Presidential Medal in 1962 in recognition of his contributions to the anti-Japanese armed struggle.

The medal was presented directly by President Moon to Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the Hong Beom-do General Memorial Project Association, in the presence of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan.

In his remarks at the award ceremony held at the Blue House that day, President Moon said, "The general was so brave that even the Japanese army called him the 'General who flies in the sky' with reverence, but in Kazakhstan, he led the harmony and development of the Koryoin community with boundless kindness and humility. The path the general walked?from the Korean Peninsula to Jiando, then to the Russian Far East, and finally to the distant Central Asian city of Kyzylorda?was a majestic journey toward freedom, peace, justice, and equality."

He continued, "On the 15th, the general completed his final journey to his homeland, which had achieved independence as his lifelong wish. The Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea, awarded to the general is not only an honor for the Republic of Korea but also a firm pledge to uphold the general’s spirit."

President Moon also expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for cooperating in the repatriation of the remains. He said, "Korea and Kazakhstan have closely collaborated for the repatriation of the general’s remains. In particular, President Tokayev expressed deep sympathy and respect for the Korean people's desire to bring the general home, following the repatriation of Gye Bong-woo and Hwang Un-jung in 2019." President Tokayev had delivered two historical documents related to General Hong, including his death certificate and the resignation letter from the Koryo Theater, where he worked as a janitor in his later years.

He added, "When our compatriots in the Russian Far East were forcibly relocated to Central Asia during the Japanese colonial period, Kazakhstan warmly embraced them, and our compatriots contributed significantly to Kazakhstan’s development and harmony. Between the two countries, there are General Hong and the Koryoin compatriots, and a shared experience of overcoming a history of hardship through the power of inclusion and coexistence."

The Blue House explained, "The reason for awarding General Hong the highest order of the Republic of Korea is not only his lifelong dedication to the independence movement but also his contribution to awakening the spirit of independence among the entire nation, fostering national unity and patriotism. As a leader of the forcibly relocated compatriot community in Kazakhstan, he worked hard to protect the rights and enhance the pride of the Koryoin."

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