"Remembering the History of That Day 113 Years Ago Clearly"… Gyeongsul Gukchi Memorial Ceremony in Gwangju

The Gwangbok Association Gwangju Metropolitan City Branch held the '113th Anniversary of the Gyeongsul National Humiliation Memorial Ceremony' at 10 a.m. on the 29th at Gwangju Science High School in Ochi-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The Gwangbokhoe Gwangju Branch held a memorial ceremony at 10 a.m. on the 29th at Gwangju Natural Science High School in Ochi-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, marking the 113th anniversary of the Eulsa Treaty. Ko Wook, head of the Gwangbokhoe Gwangju Branch, is delivering the opening address.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

About 250 people attended the memorial ceremony, including Ko Wook, head of the Gwangbok Association Gwangju Branch; Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education; Jeong Hong-sik, head of Gwangju Regional Veterans Affairs Office; Park Yong-su, director of Gwangju Democratic Veterans Peace Bureau; Professor Park Hae-hyun of Chodang University; members of the Gwangbok Association; and students of the Science High School.

The event proceeded in the order of opening declaration, national ceremony, report on the history and progress of the Gyeongsul National Humiliation, and memorial address.

Ko Wook, head of the Gwangbok Association Gwangju Branch, said in his opening remarks, "113 years ago, on August 29, 1910, the Korean Empire was annexed and destroyed by Japan without the signature of Emperor Sunjong or the national seal, and without any delegation of authority, making it illegal under international law. Nevertheless, Japan brazenly took the Korean Empire into its control. We have gathered here with a heavy historical pain and a spirit of endurance and determination, reluctant even to mention it, but compelled to speak and remember the reality, to engrave the hell of that day clearly in history."

Jeong Hong-sik, head of the Gwangju Regional Veterans Affairs Office, emphasized, "Every year on August 29, patriotic ancestors fasted or ate cold porridge to reaffirm their will to restore national sovereignty, which eventually erupted in 1919 with millions shouting 'Long live Korean independence!' across the country. Through today's event, we must deeply engrave the painful lesson of the Gyeongsul National Humiliation and the will and spirit of our ancestors to reclaim the nation in our hearts."

In particular, this event was held at Gwangju Science High School, which, along with Gwangju Jeil High School and Jeonnam Girls' High School, participated in the Gwangju Student Anti-Japanese Movement, allowing many students to participate and share the pain of that day.

Kim Hyung-myeong, a first-year student at Gwangju Science High School, spoke as a student representative and, together with the students, took an oath, stating, "Despite the limitations of the divided system, the Republic of Korea has developed into a major power leading the international order in East Asia. However, Japan, instead of reflecting on the atrocities it committed in the past, is attempting to revive militarism by exploiting conflicts between the United States and China. Therefore, we inherit the spirit of independence from our seniors at Gwangju Agricultural High School and declare our will, demanding 'to be vigilant against Japan's military normalization,' 'to criticize the Japanese government for denying forced domination over our people,' 'that the Japanese government acknowledge forced mobilization of our people and compensate for the damages,' 'that the Republic of Korea government stop humiliating diplomacy with Japan,' and 'that the National Humiliation Day be designated as a national memorial day.'"

After the memorial ceremony, Professor Park Hae-hyun of Chodang University gave a special lecture on the topic of 'The Gyeongsul National Humiliation and the Independence Movement of Gwangju Agricultural High School.'

The Gwangbokhoe Gwangju Branch held a memorial ceremony at 10 a.m. on the 29th at Gwangju Science High School in Ochi-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, to commemorate the 113th anniversary of the Eulsa Treaty. Attendees are holding the Taegeukgi and shouting three cheers of "Manse."
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

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