"Reaffirming Ancestral Roots"... Gyeongju Lee Clan Association in Fukuoka, Japan Visits Gyeongju for 10th Anniversary

Adding Meaning to Grassroots Korea-Japan Exchange

Expressing Gratitude for Efforts Toward National Heritage Status for Pyoamjeon

Exploring Key Heritage Sites Such as the Tomb of General Kim Yushin and Hwangnidan-gil to Reaffirm Identity

Members of the Gyeongju Lee Clan Association residing in Fukuoka, Japan, visited Gyeongju, the birthplace of their ancestors, to strengthen their familial bonds and reaffirm their ethnic identity.

According to Gyeongju City, the delegation from the Gyeongju Lee Clan Association in Fukuoka visited Gyeongju for two days and one night from May 12 to May 13 to commemorate the association's 10th anniversary.

The delegation, led by Lee Sangjin, consisted of eight members, including officials from the Korean Residents Union in Fukuoka and Japanese nationals.

The Gyeongju Lee Clan Association in Fukuoka was established in 2016 by overseas Koreans in Fukuoka Prefecture and has since been engaged in efforts to preserve ethnic identity and pass down history across generations.

During their visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Choi Hyukjun, Acting Mayor of Gyeongju, and expressed their appreciation to the city for its efforts in securing national heritage status for Pyoamjeon.

They also spent time interacting and building friendships with members of the Gyeongju Lee Clan in Korea, reaffirming their blood ties and historical connections.

This marks the third visit of the association to Gyeongju, and the group stated, "We will continue to promote grassroots exchanges between Korea and Japan through ongoing visits."

During their stay, the delegation experienced Gyeongju’s history and culture by visiting the Tomb of General Kim Yushin, Pyoamjeon, Daereungwon, Hwangnidan-gil, and the Hwangnyongsa History and Culture Center.

Choi Hyukjun, Acting Mayor of Gyeongju, remarked, "I deeply appreciate your visit to Gyeongju despite living abroad and not forgetting your roots and identity. We will continue to expand exchanges with overseas Koreans and strive to promote the historical and cultural values of Gyeongju to the world."