Seoul City to Discover Independence Activists and Invite Overseas Descendants on the 80th Anniversary of Liberation

Promotion of National Participation-Based Commemorative Projects
Expert and Citizen Committees to Launch in October
Preparations for 'Bohun Yeou Allowance' Increase and More

Seoul City plans to invite descendants of independence activists living overseas to Korea next year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day. In particular, the city intends to discover more than 500 independence activists and apply for government commendations.

On the 21st, Seoul City announced detailed plans to promote a large-scale commemorative project for the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day to revive the meaning of liberation and the historical value of the independence movement.

First, in October, the city will launch the '80th Anniversary of Liberation Day Commemorative Project Citizens' Committee (tentative name),' composed of experts and citizens. This aims to create an integrated platform where citizens from various classes and generations can participate and collaborate. The expert group will provide advisory roles related to the commemorative project, while the citizen group will support the actual project and event operations.

In cooperation with the Liberation Association and the Independence Movement History Research Institute, the city will also pursue a plan to discover more than 500 independence activists and apply for commendations (medals as independence patriots) from the government. The purpose is to systematically discover independence activists in blind spots and ensure they receive proper recognition.

There will also be an invitation event for descendants of independence patriots residing overseas. These descendants live across various countries such as China, Kazakhstan, the United States, Cuba, and Mexico. The city plans to identify their residence status and invite them to the 80th Liberation Day commemorative events.

Citizen participation programs will be held to visit major sites such as Gyeonghuigung and Deoksugung Palaces to correctly understand the distorted history during the Japanese colonial period. Various projects will continue to promote the true meaning of liberation, including experiences with the C-47 aircraft that carried the Liberation Army and Provisional Government members. Additionally, Seoul City will strengthen policy connections to allow citizens to approach the meaning and value of liberation more familiarly by integrating its 'Million Seller' policy. Representative examples include providing special points to citizens who visit national defense historical sites throughout Seoul in collaboration with Sonmok Doctor 9988, and hosting book curation and special programs related to the independence movement and liberation at the Seoul Outdoor Library.

On Liberation Day next year, Seoul City has also planned to hold a celebration festival around Gwanghwamun and Seoul Plaza, featuring a parade with citizens, a mass choir, symphony orchestra, and popular singers.

Independently, to strengthen respect for national patriots, the city plans to increase the veterans' honor allowance and the veterans' honorary allowance and introduce a death condolence payment. The veterans' honor allowance (currently 100,000 KRW per month) and the veterans' honorary allowance (currently 150,000 KRW per month), paid to veterans and national patriots aged 65 and older, will be increased by 50,000 KRW per month starting next year (the increase applies only to veterans aged 65 and older and veterans aged 80 and older).

Furthermore, a new plan will provide a death condolence payment of 200,000 KRW to the bereaved families when a national patriot residing in Seoul (continuously residing for more than one year) passes away. Seong Sang-hoon, Director of Welfare at Seoul City, said, "Independence is not just a past history but a value that current and future generations must share together." He added, "The 80th Liberation Day commemorative project next year will be a differentiated festival where the noble sacrifice and spirit of independence patriots are remembered and all citizens participate together."

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