Gwangju City Successfully Holds the '78th Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration'

Invitation of Descendants of Victims of Japanese Forced Mobilization and Independence Activists Who Did Not Receive Honors

Three People Including Lee Sang-min and Akyung Honam Headquarters Representative Awarded for Patriotic Merit

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On the morning of the 15th, attendees are performing the three cheers for independence at the '78th Liberation Day Celebration' held in the main conference room of Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

The '78th Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration' was held at 10 a.m. on the 15th in the main conference hall of Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall.

About 400 people attended, including the families of independence patriots (Liberation Members), Ko Wook, head of the Gwangju branch of the Liberation Association, Mayor Kang Gi-jung, heads of various organizations, and citizens.

The celebration proceeded in the order of the national ceremony, commemorative speeches, awards for independence patriots and patriots who love the country, congratulatory speeches, commemorative performances, and the singing of the Liberation Day song.

The event gained special significance by inviting for the first time grandmother Yang Geum-deok, grandfather Lee Chun-sik, grandmother Oh Yeon-im, grandfather Lee Kyung-seok, who were victims of forced labor under Japanese rule, as well as Kim Haeng-ja, a descendant of Mr. Kim Beom-su who did not receive a commendation, and Hwang Kwang-woo, an executive committee member of the Jang Jae-sung Memorial Project Association.

At the celebration, three people including Lee Sang-min, head of the Honam Reporting Headquarters of Asia Economy (56), and Lee Un-sik (81) and Park Hae-hyun (64) were awarded for their patriotic contributions.

Lee was recognized for his contributions to promoting the history of local anti-Japanese movements and veterans’ affairs, thereby fostering national spirit.

Lee Sang-min, head of the Honam Reporting Headquarters at Asia Economy (right in the photo), and two others are taking a commemorative photo after receiving the National Patriot Award.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

The commemorative performance was filled with a stage expressing the joy of liberation by the b-boying dance team ‘Bitgoeul Dancers,’ active in the Gwangju area.

The event concluded with a three cheers of "Manse" shouted by forced labor victims Yang Geum-deok, Lee Kyung-seok, Lee Chun-sik, Oh Yeon-im, and the attendees.

Ko Wook, head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Liberation Association, said in his commemorative speech, "The Republic of Korea overcame the pain of the Korean War to achieve industrialization and democratization," adding, "It has risen from a country receiving aid to a donor country, and now aims to be among the top 10 economies by GDP size."

He continued, "The source of this remarkable development lies in a firm identity, such as the March 1st Independence Movement Declaration," emphasizing, "I especially want to take this opportunity to comfort the efforts of the independence patriots."

Grandmother Yang Geum-deok and other victims of forced labor under Japanese rule are shouting "Manse" three times.
[Photo by Min Hyun-ki]

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