Just As He Was... President Park Chunghee Returns to His Hometown Through AI

Commemorative Ceremony Draws Over 3,000 Attendees
Former President Park Geunhye Attends the Event
Park Geunhye Returns to Gumi After Attending Last Year’s Ceremony

On November 14, Gumi City held a commemorative cultural event at the birthplace of President Park Chunghee and the Gumi Multipurpose Sports Center to mark the 108th anniversary of his birth.

Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi City, is greeting former President Park Geunhye. Source: Gumi City.

The day began with a memorial ritual at 9 a.m. at the memorial hall of his birthplace, followed by a commemorative ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the Gumi Multipurpose Sports Center. The event was attended by approximately 3,000 members of national memorial associations and citizens from across the country.

This year’s event featured a surprise screening of an AI-generated video of President Park Chunghee, restored based on photographs from 1966, which deeply moved the audience.

The AI-restored President Park Chunghee reminded the audience of the people’s efforts in laying the foundation for the nation’s modernization, and delivered a message of hope, urging everyone not to forget this proud history and to carry it forward to future generations.

Former President Park Geunhye, attending as a representative of the bereaved family, shared her impression that seeing her father through the video felt as if he were alive. She expressed gratitude to all those who attended to honor her father’s noble legacy and conveyed her determination to work together in building a hopeful Republic of Korea.

In his welcoming address, Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi City, stated, “I can only marvel at President Park Chunghee’s visionary leadership in building highways, establishing the defense industry, and fostering the heavy and chemical industries for the modernization of our nation. Gumi City will carry on his legacy by actively responding to current challenges such as fostering future industries and nurturing talent, and will lead a new leap forward.”

The event included a special lecture on presidential leadership, a photo exhibition, and a variety of other cultural programs for citizens to enjoy together. In addition, the Park Chunghee Presidential Photo Exhibition (at the National Revival Hall at the birthplace, until November 23) and a special exhibition at the Historical Archives (2nd floor exhibition hall, until January 4, 2026) will continue to be held.

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