[78th Liberation Day] Ko Wook, Head of Gwangju Branch of the Liberation Association, "Treatment of Independence Patriots Must Be Improved"

"One must always be a person who can look back and care for others without constantly desiring something."

Ko Wook (65), head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Liberation Association, who lives by preserving the spirit and ethos of independence activists, said he has strived to follow and practice the words his late father, the late Ko In-seok, always said during his lifetime.

In Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Go Wook, head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Liberation Association and descendant of independence activist the late Go In-seok, whom we met on the 14th, is delivering a message of admonition.
[Photo by Jin-hyung Park]

Ko In-seok (高麟錫; 1909?1997) was expelled in June 1928 while attending the 4th grade of Gwangju High School, one year before the Gwangju Student Movement. The reason was his participation in a five-month joint strike protesting colonial education, following the expulsion of his 5th-grade colleague Lee Kyung-chae, who was involved in anti-Japanese activities.

When he was identified as one of the 26 leaders of the joint strike, he fled to Seoul to avoid the Japanese authorities' preliminary arrest and later studied abroad in Tokyo, where he continued his independence activities. His name was even listed in the "List of Notable Korean Socialists" published by the Japanese Governor-General of Korea when he was 18 years old.

Despite having the opportunity to gain power or money through his education and connections at the time, Ko Wook feels great pride and responsibility that his father lived with his own philosophy for the country.

Ko Wook contributes to the independence activists by preserving his father's spirit and ethos through the Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Liberation Association. Since his appointment as branch head last July, his top priority has been improving the treatment and welfare of independence activists.

He emphasized, "During the Imjin War, when King Seonjo fled to Uiju abandoning his people, many commoners sacrificed their lives to protect the country. However, after the king's return, these people were not recognized, which led to the absence of militia during the subsequent Jeongyu War. The veterans' policy is about the state honoring those who do what must be done for the country in times of crisis."

He also expressed regret about the remnants of pro-Japanese collaborators still present. Ko said, "The remnants of pro-Japanese collaborators, which could not be dealt with to maintain the national system, have been passed down through generations. If a list of pro-Japanese collaborators is created and recorded as it is, the judgment will be up to the people."

Furthermore, he stressed the need for experiential educational facilities to cultivate a proper sense of history and patriotism among students. Ko stated, "To properly educate young people and students, nothing is more effective than 'experiential education' that recreates and allows them to experience historical sites rather than just sitting in an auditorium listening to lectures. For educational projects to proceed, significant interest from local governments is necessary."

Ko Wook aims to build a new 'Liberation Hall' in the Gwangju area. Although there are over 200 members in the Gwangju region, most are elderly, and the current Liberation Hall, which has been in use for over 40 years, lacks an elevator, requiring people to climb stairs to the third floor.

Additionally, the building's aging condition causes leaks during the rainy season, preventing the hall from fulfilling its role as a resting place.

He said, "It is regrettable that the maintenance costs requested from Gwangju City have not been provided. While the new building will be constructed using the Liberation Association's assets, we have requested Gwangju City to provide office space for about two years during the preparation period."

Currently, there are 236 independence activists in the Gwangju area (17 patriots who died for the country and 219 patriots). The patriots who died for the country are those who sacrificed their lives in independence movements domestically and abroad from 1895, when Japan's national sovereignty infringement began, until August 14, 1945, just before liberation, and were awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, medals, or presidential citations. Patriots are recognized as those who resisted from before and after the infringement of national sovereignty until just before liberation and received similar honors.

All of them have passed away, and their surviving families and descendants receive veterans' benefits from the state, but their lives are generally harsh.

The living adjustment allowance paid by the state to these individuals is up to 283,000 KRW per month for households of three or fewer and up to 336,000 KRW for households of four or more. This is far below the state's defined minimum living expenses (62,3000 KRW for a single-person household receiving basic livelihood security).

The independence activists' descendants' living support fund, established during the Moon Jae-in administration to strengthen veterans' benefits, provides only 478,000 KRW per month for basic livelihood security recipients (those with less than 70% of median income) and 345,000 KRW per month for low-income groups (single or couple households).

Gwangju City has enacted an ordinance to provide 50,000 KRW as an honorary veterans' allowance, but many descendants of independence activists do not receive benefits due to the scope of veterans' benefits designated by the government.

On the 78th Liberation Day, it is time for all of us to reflect so that the sad saying, "If you collaborate with the Japanese, your family prospers for three generations, but if you participate in the independence movement, your family perishes for three generations," will no longer be heard.

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