Park Min-sik, Who Flew to Japan to Pay Deep Respects, to Bring 'Gwangbokgun Hero'

The Only 'Surviving from Japan' Independence Activist Osungkyu
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Decides to Visit Japan Personally
"A National Treasure, We Will Bring Him to the Republic of Korea"

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik personally honored O Seong-gyu, the only surviving independence activist residing in Japan, who is 100 years old. The government delegation led by Minister Park plans to return to Korea together with O, fulfilling his wish to "spend the rest of his life in the embrace of his homeland."

On the afternoon of the 11th, Minister Park visited O's home located in Nerima-gu, Tokyo, Japan, to hold a meeting and check on his health condition. After deeply bowing to O, he firmly held his hand and explained the procedures for returning to Korea. At this meeting, Minister Park said, "You are a national treasure," and added, "If you are willing, we would like to bring you to Korea." O reportedly expressed his gratitude with a bright expression.

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik is having a conversation on the afternoon of the 11th at the home of patriot Oh Seong-gyu located in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
[Photo by Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs]

O will return to Korea on the morning of the 13th by flight along with the government delegation. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is preparing a welcoming ceremony that includes the formation of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces honor guard and the performance of the Liberation Army anthem to honor O as a "senior member of the Liberation Army." After arrival, O will undergo a health checkup at the Seoul Central Veterans Hospital and is scheduled to attend the 78th anniversary celebration of Liberation Day on August 15.

Once O permanently returns to Korea, the number of domestic independence activists will be eight, with only one independence activist residing abroad remaining: Lee Ha-jeon in the United States, who received the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1990. A Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs official explained, "Since O's spouse passed away in 2018, he has been living alone. He expressed his desire to spend the last days of his life in his homeland, which led to this visit to Japan."

A hero who lived alone in a foreign country is brought back to his homeland

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik paid a visit to the home of patriot Oh Seong-gyu located in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Japan, on the afternoon of the 11th, showing respect with a deep bow.
[Photo by Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs]

Born in 1923 in Seoncheon, North Pyongan Province, O engaged in anti-Japanese movements centered around Donggwang Middle School in Manchuria, China, at a young age during the Japanese colonial period. After the Japanese exposed their organization, he escaped Manchuria and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Korean Liberation Army in Anhui Province, China, continuing his independence activities. In May 1945, while undergoing joint special training (OSS) with the United States and Korea for domestic invasion, liberation was achieved. After liberation, he suffered hardships such as police investigations with his comrades from the Liberation Army due to ideological conflicts and has lived in Japan ever since.

During the Roh Tae-woo administration in 1990, O was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in recognition of his dedication not only to liberation but also to protecting Korean residents abroad. However, the name inscribed on the medal is "Joo Tae-seok," a pseudonym he used during the Liberation Army period to evade Japanese pursuit. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs plans to seek measures to resolve the issue of not being able to identify his real name under current laws.

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