Correcting a 77-Year Record... Korea Racing Authority Sets Foundation Anniversary to "September 24, 1945"

Koreans Took Over the Racing Authority in 1945 Right After Liberation
Began Using the Name "Korea Racing Authority" Thereafter
"Restoring Four Years of Post-Liberation Racing History"
Redefining Institutional Identity and Historical Legacy

The Korea Racing Authority has changed its foundation anniversary from September 29, 1949, to September 24, 1945. The intention is to officially recognize the day when the organization took over the Joseon Horse Racing Society in the immediate aftermath of Korea’s liberation and began using the name "Korea Racing Authority" as its true founding date.

On June 25, the Korea Racing Authority announced that it had decided to change the foundation anniversary to September 24, 1945, following a report to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, feedback from staff, and a report and resolution by the board of directors. The change in foundation date is not a simple adjustment of the calendar; it carries the significance of redefining the history of Korean horse racing and horse racing administration.

Racehorses bursting out of the starting gate. Korea Racing Authority

A Korea Racing Authority official explained, "The foundation anniversary is an important standard symbolizing the historical starting point of the institution, both internally and externally," adding, "The purpose is to eliminate inconsistencies in the organization’s history through the reestablishment of the founding date and to enhance the sense of pride among its members."

◆Using 1949 as the standard means denying four years of post-liberation history= Until now, the Korea Racing Authority had considered September 29, 1949—the date when the Ministry of Agriculture (now the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) approved the name change—as its foundation anniversary. However, critics have continuously pointed out that this standard leaves a gap in the history of legalized horse racing and the practical activities of the Korea Racing Authority that continued for about four years from the immediate aftermath of liberation until the Korean War.

A Korea Racing Authority official stated, "In October 1945, the Korea Racing Authority held the first horse race after liberation. Using the current foundation anniversary of September 29, 1949, would mean denying the history of legalized horse racing—including the first race—held in the four years after liberation." He added, "Ultimately, the existing standard failed to sufficiently reflect the history of Koreans directly operating the racing authority and resuming horse racing after liberation."

Other organizations have also changed their foundation dates to reinforce historical succession and legitimacy. Korea Electric Power Corporation originally used July 1, 1961—the date when three power companies (Joseon Electric, Gyeongseong Electric, and Namsun Electric) were merged into Korea Electric Power Company—as its founding anniversary, but later changed it to January 26, 1898, the founding date of Hanseong Electric Company, the first electric utility. Similarly, in 2020, NongHyup changed its anniversary from the launch of the unified cooperative (July 1, 2000) to August 15, 1961, when the Agricultural Cooperative Bank and the Agricultural Cooperative were integrated into the "Comprehensive NongHyup," to reinforce the legitimacy of the central cooperative. In 2018, Korea Railroad Corporation changed "Railway Day" from September 18, 1899—the opening of the Gyeongin Line under Japanese capital—to June 28, 1894, the founding date of the first Korean Empire Railway Bureau, as part of efforts to remove remnants of Japanese imperialism.

In fact, the Korea Racing Authority’s corporate register records the "Joseon Horse Racing Society," established on March 1, 1942, during the Japanese colonial period, as its predecessor. Typically, a foundation anniversary is based on the date of approval or registration for corporations, while sole proprietors use the business registration or actual opening date. Sometimes, the chosen date is when the official name is decided and business operations begin. Until now, the foundation anniversary had been set as the "date when the Ministry of Agriculture approved the name change after liberation," but it has now been changed to September 24, 1945, the day the current name was actually adopted and preparations for horse racing resumed.

◆Horse racing reclaimed by Koreans just 40 days after liberation= According to "100 Years of Korean Horse Racing," published by the Korea Racing Authority in 2024, after liberation on August 15, 1945, the U.S. military government was established, and Korean equestrians such as Na Myunggyun, Lee Jeongrae, Han Yongsoon, and Lee Jaegan took over the Joseon Horse Racing Society—which had been operated by the Japanese—on September 22 of that year. On September 24, the Joseon Horse Racing Society received approval from the military government and changed its name to the Korea Racing Authority. The Maeil Sinbo newspaper reported on October 1, 1945, "On September 24, the Joseon Horse Racing Society received approval from the military government and was formally transferred, and its name was changed to the Korea Racing Authority." This event is seen as more than just a name change; it is considered a symbolic moment when the Korean people reclaimed horse racing and its administration, which had been run by the Japanese during the colonial period. The newly established foundation anniversary, September 24, 1945, commemorates this event.

Maeil Shinbo, October 1, 1945. Korea Racing Authority

Another basis for the new foundation date is actual business activity. After the name change, the Korea Racing Authority immediately began preparations to resume horse racing and held the first post-liberation race in October of the same year. The first horse race after liberation took place in October 1945. In other words, since preparations and actual operations under the name "Korea Racing Authority" began in 1945, it is difficult to explain historical continuity if 1949 is used as the foundation date.

This decision by the Korea Racing Authority is not simply about moving up the foundation anniversary, but rather about redefining the institution’s identity. This change is seen as highly symbolic, as it formally incorporates the historical significance of Koreans reclaiming horse racing and its administration immediately after liberation into the official record. The Korea Racing Authority official said, "We plan to update our history, yearbooks, and external promotional materials based on the new foundation date," adding, "Starting this year, commemorative events will be held in line with the new anniversary."

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