The 13th Hyochangwon 8th Rank Patriots Martyrs Memorial Ceremony Held

Held at Hyochang Park, the 'Sacred Site of the Independence Movement,' on the Temporary Government Return Day, March 23... Honoring the spirits of 8 patriotic martyrs including Kim Gu and An Jung-geun

"Dear compatriots! After 27 years of never forgetting in my dreams, I am deeply moved to set foot on the homeland. (Omitted) I and all members of my group have entered with the status of mere commoners. From now on, we will strive together with you for the completion of our independence."

- Broadcast greeting by Kim Gu in November 1945

Dreaming of complete autonomous independence, 15 key figures of the Provisional Government, including Kim Gu, arrived at Gimpo Airport on November 23, 1945, in a personal capacity.

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Park Hee-young) will support the "13th Hyochangwon Ceremony Honoring the Eight Patriots at Uiyeolsa" held at the main hall of Uiyeolsa in Hyochang Park (National Historic Site No. 330) from 2 p.m. on the 23rd, marking the 78th anniversary of the return of the Provisional Government agents.

The memorial ceremony for the eight patriots is hosted annually by the Hyochangwon Seven Patriots Memorial Association (President Lee Jong-rae, hereafter the Memorial Association) on either the Provisional Government establishment day (April 11) or the agents' return day.

The event will be attended by about 200 people including Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, Lee Gyu-jung, Secretary General of the Liberation Association, Na Chi-man, Director of the Seoul Regional Veterans Affairs Office, officials from the Memorial Association, and local residents. The program will proceed in the order of national anthem, memorial address, main hall ritual, flower offering, and incense burning.

The main hall ritual follows the procedures of ▲Jeonpye-rye (offering incense three times and bowing before the ancestral tablet) ▲Chohun-rye (first offering of a cup) ▲Ahun-rye (second offering of a cup) ▲Jonghun-rye (final offering of a cup) ▲Eumbok-rye (consuming food or drink after the ritual) ▲Mangyo-rye (burning of the memorial paper).

After the main hall ritual, local residents who wish to participate will be able to join in the incense offering. The purpose is to honor the spirits of the eight patriotic martyrs and to elevate the spirit of love for the country and autonomous independence.

The eight patriots refer to the Provisional Government figures enshrined with memorial tablets at Uiyeolsa in Hyochang Park (Kim Gu, Lee Dong-nyeong, Jo Seong-hwan, Cha Ri-seok), as well as the patriots Lee Bong-chang, Yun Bong-gil, Baek Jeong-gi, and Ahn Jung-geun.

Shortly after liberation, Kim Gu personally brought their remains to Hyochang Park and established the burial site. Ahn Jung-geun's burial site remains a temporary grave as his remains have not yet been found. Kim Gu himself was also interred at Hyochang Park.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "On the anniversary of the Provisional Government's return, I once again express gratitude for the noble sacrifices of the patriots who brought us the joy of liberation. We will do our utmost to honor the martyrs and care for the families of veterans."

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