Descendants of Independence Activists Visit Gwangju: "Following Our Shared Roots"

Gwangju Office of Education Invites Kazakhstani Youths
Modern and Contemporary History and Koryoin Village Tour Scheduled

Descendants of independence activists from Central Asia will visit Gwangju this week. The purpose of their visit is to explore the history of Koryoin, who took root after being forcibly relocated during the Japanese colonial period, and to share solidarity and identity at sites of Gwangju's modern and contemporary history.

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education will host a "history and culture exchange program" from November 18 to 22, inviting around 20 youths who are descendants of independence activists residing in Kazakhstan and other regions. This event, organized to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, is a joint initiative of the Office of Education and the Gwangju branch of the Liberation Association.

The schedule includes five descendants of independence patriots Choi Jaehyung and Gye Bongu, as well as other descendants of figures who continued the independence movement throughout Central Asia. For these participants, Gwangju offers a space to directly experience historic sites where the spirit of anti-Japanese resistance and democracy intersect.

The program is structured around Gwangju's modern and contemporary history. On November 19, the group will pay tribute at the Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower, attend a special lecture on the history of the independence movement, tour Jeonil Building 245-a historic site of the May 18 Democratization Movement-and visit the National Asia Culture Center.

On November 20, the group will visit Kia Autoland Gwangju Plant, tour the Koryoin Village in Wolgok-dong, and participate in career experience activities (barista, drone, webtoon) with the Koryoin class at Soongui Science and Technology High School. On November 21, they will engage in exchange activities with students from Gwangdeok High School and visit the National May 18th Cemetery, Soswaewon Garden, and the Korean Literature Museum of Family. The program will conclude with a visit to Gwangju City Hall and a tour of the 18th-floor observatory.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, "I hope this will be an opportunity for the descendants of independence patriots to share their national roots and foster future-oriented exchanges," adding, "We will support Gwangju students so that they can feel a sense of historical responsibility and pride."

Meanwhile, last October, the Office of Education sent 34 middle and high school students to Kazakhstan to participate in the "Student Global Leader Around the World Program," which allowed them to directly observe the sites of the Koryoin's forced relocation.

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