‘Walking the Memories of the Independence Movement Again!’ Gyeongbuk Office of Education Completes High School Students' Independence Movement Trail Pilgrimage Journey

On the 28th, a group of high school students on an independence movement pilgrimage visited the Unification Observatory and took a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] The Gyeongbuk Office of Education successfully concluded the 4-night, 5-day long journey of the Domestic Independence Movement Pilgrimage Group, which was operated for high school students in the province.

The Independence Movement Pilgrimage Group recruited 60 high school students from descendants of national merit recipients and members of history clubs.

Starting with the experience program at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Independence Movement Memorial Hall and Shinheung Military Academy on July 25, on the 26th, the group held a departure ceremony, took the first step toward independence, and strengthened their will for independence through visits to the Chupungnyeong Water Tower and the Independence Movement Memorial Hall.

On the 27th, they walked along the footsteps of the independence movement at the National Provisional Government Memorial Hall, Seodaemun Prison, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, and Gyeongbokgung Palace, taking time to reflect on the message that the independence movement of Gyeongbuk people gives us.

High school students from the Independence Movement Pilgrimage Group visiting Imjingak DMZ.

On the 28th, they moved from Seoul to Paju, strengthening their hearts toward peace and unification at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park and Odusan Unification Observatory, then returned to their accommodation to write reflections and share opinions through group presentations.

The 29th was the final day of the pilgrimage group’s schedule, concluding the 4-night, 5-day long journey by paying respects at the grave of Seokju Lee Sang-ryong at the National Cemetery.

Kim Tae-eun, a student from Pohang Arts High School who participated in the Independence Movement Pilgrimage Group, said, “I was deeply moved to learn that the roots of the Manchurian independence movement during the Japanese colonial period lie in Gyeongbuk, and it was a meaningful time to learn about the activities of female independence activists, including Seokju Lee Sang-ryong, whom I did not know well. While listening to a special lecture by Director Kim Hee-gon of the National Provisional Government Memorial Hall, I thought that the attitude of independence activists who found a compromise point in ideological conflicts under the single goal of independence is something we must learn today.”

Superintendent of Education Lim Jong-sik said, “I am very proud of the students who successfully completed the Independence Movement Pilgrimage Group activities over 4 nights and 5 days, carrying precious hearts of patriotism in the hot weather. I hope they grow into talents who learn the spirit of the Gyeongbuk independence movement, the sacred ground of our country’s independence movement, and practice patriotism themselves.”

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