Mayor Lee Hyun-jae: "Inspired by the Devotion of Our Forebears, We Will Open the Future of Hanam"

Hanam City Holds 106th Samiljeol Commemorative Ceremony
Honoring the Sacrifices of Independence Patriots

On the 1st, Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyun-jae) held the 106th Samiljeol (March 1st Movement) commemorative ceremony at the city hall annex auditorium to honor the noble sacrifices of the patriotic martyrs and independence activists.

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam City, is delivering a commemorative speech at the 106th Samiljeol Anniversary Ceremony held at the City Hall Annex Auditorium on the 1st. Provided by Hanam City

The ceremony was attended by about 400 citizens, including Lee Young-jae, president of the Hanam branch of the Liberation Association, descendants of independence activists, members of veterans' organizations, youth honorary mayors, and youth directors. The attendees paid tribute while remembering the spirit of the ancestors who fought against Japanese oppression.

In his commemorative speech, Mayor Lee Hyun-jae said, “Hanam is a city steeped in the passionate history of the March 1st Movement, proudly bearing the footsteps of the independence movement with five independence activists posthumously honored. I express my deep gratitude and respect to the patriotic martyrs and independence activists who shouted 'Long live Korean independence' without yielding to Japanese oppression, as well as to their bereaved families.”

The ceremony became even more meaningful as descendants of independence activists from various sectors read the Declaration of Independence together: Lee Young-jae, grandson of independence fighter Lee Kang of Osan and president of the Liberation Association branch; Han Ye-sol, descendant of Hanam independence activist Gu Hee-seo; Kim Sung-hoon, descendant of independence activist Kim Jae-jin of the Korean Independence Freedom Association; Lee Hyun-sook, child of OSS agent and independence activist Lee Chang-bae; and Air Force Sergeant Jang Soon-jae, descendant of Pacific War veteran and independence activist Jang Ki-young. This moment, shared with members of veterans' organizations, deeply moved citizens as it recalled Hanam’s history of independence movements and the noble sacrifices involved.

Hanam City is strengthening its veterans’ policies to honor and repay the sacrifices of independence patriots. A welfare allowance of 70,000 KRW per month is provided to spouses of deceased veterans, and from this month, the veterans’ honorary allowance has been increased from 150,000 KRW to 170,000 KRW, benefiting over 3,700 veterans. Additionally, the city has allocated a budget for the ‘Veterans Family Day’ event and is promoting vehicle support for the Liberation Association and the Korean War Veterans Association. The veterans’ hall is being operated effectively, and starting in April, a transportation subsidy of up to 160,000 KRW annually will be provided for national veterans aged 70 and older.

At the '106th Samiljeol Commemoration Ceremony' held on the 1st at the annex auditorium of Hanam City Hall, attendees are shouting "Banzai." Provided by Hanam City

Furthermore, Hanam City plans to enhance its competitiveness as a self-sufficient city and maximize future development potential by promptly advancing three major core projects aimed at improving urban economic power and tax revenue: the Camp Colbern project, the creation of K-Star World within Misa Island, and the active promotion of corporate attraction for the Gyosan New Town development.

Mayor Lee emphasized, “Thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of our ancestors, today’s Republic of Korea has established itself as the world’s sixth-largest economy. Hanam City will join forces with its citizens to open the future for continuous development and prosperity.”

Meanwhile, today’s commemorative ceremony proceeded in the following order: pre-ceremony performance (Raon Brass Ensemble), Declaration of Independence reading (Hanam branch president of the Liberation Association and descendants of independence activists), commendation of patriots, commemorative speech, commemorative performance (Fusion MC B-Boy Crew and Hanam Children’s Cultural Foundation), and three cheers of “Manse.”

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