20 Descendants of Independence Patriots Obtain South Korean Citizenship

On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day, 20 descendants of independence activists with foreign nationalities received certificates of South Korean citizenship.

On the afternoon of the 7th, the Ministry of Justice held the "78th Anniversary of Liberation Day Commemoration Independence Activists' Descendants South Korean Citizenship Certificate Award Ceremony" at the Liberation Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, and granted South Korean citizenship to 20 descendants of 13 independence activists. At the event, Olga Sorokina, the great-granddaughter of the late independence activist Choi Jae-hyung, who lives in Russia, China, and Kazakhstan, and Lydia Gye, the granddaughter of the late Gye Bong-woo, also obtained South Korean citizenship.

On the 7th, at the Independence Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, Yuga-i Mihail, a descendant of independence activist Kang Sang-jin, is receiving a special naturalization certificate at the 'Independence Patriots' Descendants Nationality Certificate Award Ceremony.'
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Choi Jae-hyung actively participated in the independence movement after the Russo-Japanese War, organized the Donguihoe, a central organization for the restoration of national sovereignty, and developed it into an armed anti-Japanese group. In 1911, he engaged in armed independence struggles in Vladivostok, Russia, but was arrested by the Japanese military in April of the following year and killed. Gye Bong-woo was active as a member of the Provisional Assembly representing Northern Gando after the establishment of the Provisional Government in 1919 and authored works such as "Joseon Grammar" and "History of Joseon Literature."

Descendants of other independence activists who became Korean citizens at the event include Cha Do-seon, who organized militia forces and fought armed battles alongside General Hong Beom-do; Lee Yeo-rak, who was captured by the Japanese while raising military funds in Manchuria in 1920 and died for the cause; Choi Yi-bung, who attacked a Japanese cash transport vehicle in 1920 to use the funds for armed independence activities; and Nam In-sang, who established a school in Yanji, China, in 1910 and engaged in ethnic education.

Among the 20 descendants of independence activists who obtained South Korean citizenship this time, nine hold Russian nationality, the largest number. This is followed by six Chinese nationals, two each from the United States and Canada, and one from Kazakhstan. They acquired South Korean citizenship under Article 7 of the Nationality Act and Article 6 of the Enforcement Decree of the same law. When descendants of independence activists apply for citizenship acquisition at local immigration or foreigner offices, the Ministry of Justice promptly verifies their status as descendants of independence activists through DNA testing in cooperation with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (Forensic Science Department) and grants citizenship. Since 2004, a total of 1,345 descendants of independence activists have obtained South Korean citizenship.

Kim Yong-nam, a descendant of the late Nam In-sang, expressed at the ceremony, "If my grandfather could see the brilliantly developed Republic of Korea today, he would think that his dedication at that time has been rewarded."

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