Yoon Hosts Luncheon for Independence Patriots Ahead of Liberation Day... "Free Republic of Korea Contributes to International Community"

President Yoon: "We Will Properly Remember the Patriots"
Presented Mugunghwa Embroidered Brooch to Patriot Kim Young-gwan
Meal Menu Also Prepared with Independence Movement-Related Foods

President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his gratitude to independence activists and their families on the 9th, about a week before the 78th Liberation Day, for their dedication to Korea's independence. He emphasized that by following their example, he would protect the free Republic of Korea and actively contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity for all humanity in the international community.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon invited 158 independence activists and their families to the State Guest House at the Blue House for a luncheon, where he made these remarks. The subtitle of this event was "Remembering the Dedication of Our Forebears for the Free Republic of Korea."

In his opening remarks, President Yoon paid tribute to the patriots and independence activists who sacrificed their lives, stating, "Our independence movement was not simply about reclaiming sovereignty taken by Japanese imperialism. It was not about returning to a monarchy, nor was it about becoming a communist totalitarian state. Our independence movement was a founding movement to establish a free democratic nation where the people are the masters."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a welcome speech at a luncheon for independence merit recipients and their families held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also emphasized the spirit of honoring those who fought for freedom and independence. President Yoon said, "We must properly remember the forebears who gave everything for the freedom and independence of our homeland and for universal human values. Properly remembering them is essential to maintaining our national identity and the continuity of our state."

He explained the government's veterans affairs activities, including the transfer of 17 Korean Liberation Army patriots buried at the Suyu-ri Joint Burial Site to Daejeon National Cemetery last August, the repatriation of activist Hwang Gi-hwan in April this year, and the restoration of the grave of Mr. Choi Jae-hyung in August. President Yoon promised, "We will do our utmost to bring home the remains of patriots who died overseas, one by one."

In particular, President Yoon stressed that Korea's spirit of independence is being inherited as a vision for a global pivotal nation, and contributing to all humanity worldwide is the true way to honor the will of the independence activists.

The luncheon was held to mark Liberation Day by inviting independence activists and their descendants to express respect and courtesy, and it was also an implementation of President Yoon's usual belief that "the nation takes full responsibility for sacrifices made for the country," according to the presidential office.

Since his inauguration in May last year, President Yoon has expressed gratitude for the dedication of independence activists at events such as the March 1st Movement Day and Liberation Day, and has awarded honors such as the Order of Merit for National Foundation to independence activists whose contributions were previously undervalued. On March 1st, during the 104th anniversary of the March 1st Movement ceremony, he posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Service Medal, to the late independence activist Son Hwa-sam.

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is presenting a Hansan Mosi jeoksam embroidered with hibiscus to patriot Kim Young-kwan at a luncheon for independence activists and their families held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The luncheon was attended by 148 members of the Liberation Association, including Chairman Lee Jong-chan and other executives, as well as 10 specially invited guests. The special invitees included ▲ Kim Hwang-sik, Chairman of the An Jung-geun Doctor Memorial Association, and Lee Taek-seon, Research Professor at Myongji University’s International Korean Studies Institute, who have led efforts to honor independence activists ▲ singer Sean (real name Noh Seung-hwan), who organized the '2023 It Will Be Okay Korea 815 Run' to support descendants of independence activists ▲ Yoon Hyung-joo, sixth cousin of poet Yoon Dong-ju and Chairman of Korea Habitat, who promotes housing improvement projects for descendants of independence activists.

Also invited were Song Sang-hyun, Professor Emeritus at Seoul National University and grandson of Song Jin-woo, who contributes as a descendant of independence activists ▲ Kim Mi, Chairwoman of the Kim Koo Foundation and granddaughter of Kim Koo ▲ Yoon Joo-kyung, Member of the National Assembly and granddaughter of independence activist Yoon Bong-gil ▲ Kim Eul-dong, Advisor to the Baekya Kim Jwa-jin General Memorial Association and granddaughter of General Kim Jwa-jin ▲ and Jang Ye-jin, great-granddaughter of independence activist Jang Jin-hong.

President Yoon and First Lady Kim Geon-hee accompanied surviving patriot Kim Young-gwan to the luncheon. Kim, a former member of the Korean Liberation Army, also fought in the Korean War and received the Hwarang Military Merit Medal. He was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Service Medal, in 1990. Kim also participated as a representative of independence activists in the 2021 repatriation ceremony of General Hong Beom-do’s remains held on Liberation Day.

Before the luncheon, the First Lady presented Kim Young-gwan with a 'Mugunghwa Embroidered Hansan Mosi Jeoksam' wishing him good health. The Hansan Mosi Jeoksam Kim received was crafted by artisan Bang Yeon-ok, a holder of the national intangible cultural asset 'Hansan Mosi Weaving.' The presidential office also separately delivered high-quality Mosi bedding to six domestic residing patriots?Oh Hee-ok, Kang Tae-seon, Lee Il-nam, Kwon Jung-hyuk, Ji Ik-pyo, and Lee Seok-gyu?who could not attend the luncheon due to health reasons.

The luncheon menu featured dishes related to the independence movement, including seafood cold salad made mainly from seafood caught in Hwanghae Province, the hometown of Baekbeom Kim Gu and An Jung-geun; potato pancakes made from potatoes commonly used by independence activists; yuchongbyeong (a traditional Korean rice cake) enjoyed by female independence activist Ji Bok-young; beef tteokgalbi and abalone, traditional dishes from the home of activist Kwon Gi-il who sold his ancestral home to support the independence movement; and manggae tteok (a type of rice cake) shared by Baeksan An Hee-je with his comrades.

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