Mrs. Kim Visits Hawaiian Korean Christian Church... "Hope President Rhee Syngman’s Achievements Are Reexamined"

106th Anniversary of Establishment, 12 Church Members Awarded Independence Merit Honors

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who visited Hawaii with President Yoon Suk-yeol, visited a Korean Christian church in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the 9th (local time). She listened to the history of the independence movement of Korean residents in Hawaii and the Korean Christian church while viewing the statue of President Syngman Rhee, which was erected by church members in 1985. [Image source=Yonhap News]

First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who visited Hawaii, USA with President Yoon Suk-yeol, visited the Korean Christian Church established by the first President Syngman Rhee on the morning of the 9th (local time), the presidential office reported.

Mrs. Kim toured the exterior of the church, newly built in its current location in 1938, modeled after Gwanghwamun. She listened to the history of the independence movement by Koreans in Hawaii and the Korean Christian Church while viewing the plaque of independence movement historic site installed last year by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the statue of President Syngman Rhee erected by church members in 1985.

The Korean Christian Church is known as the place where President Syngman Rhee and others carried out independence movements to restore national sovereignty, gaining attention earlier this year with the screening of the film "The Founding War." Marking its 106th anniversary this year, the church holds significant meaning in the history of the independence movement, with 12 of its members posthumously honored as independence patriots. Recognizing the church's contribution to the independence movement, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs installed the plaque of independence movement historic site last year.

After touring the Independence Memorial Hall, an exhibition hall within the Korean Christian Church, and the interior of the church sanctuary, Mrs. Kim said, "I can vividly picture the Koreans who prayed earnestly for the country's independence," and emphasized, "I hope the forgotten achievements of the first President Syngman Rhee, who worked so hard in a distant land for the independence of the homeland, will be reappraised."

She continued, "The Korean community in Hawaii, who have greatly contributed to the development of the homeland, have also played a bridging role in the Korea-US alliance by actively participating in many fields of Hawaiian and American society for over 120 years," expressing gratitude for the dedication and efforts of the overseas Koreans.

Pastor Lee Je-ho, the senior pastor of the Korean Christian Church, expressed deep gratitude for Mrs. Kim's visit and, with an impromptu sermon and prayer, wished, "May the homeland continue to develop and prosper, may the President and First Lady be endowed with great wisdom, and may you be safe throughout this visit to the United States."

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