Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City to Hold First National Commemorative Event: Liberation Day Celebration on the 15th

Honoring the Spirit of Liberation and Pledging a New Beginning for the Unified City

On August 15, marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, the first national commemorative event since the integration of Jeonnam and Gwangju will be held. On this day at 10 a.m., the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City will hold a Liberation Day celebration at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju, honoring the sacrifices of independence activists and pledging a new beginning for the unified city.

The theme of the celebration is "Jeonnam and Gwangju United by the Power of Liberation, Opening a Greater Future Together." More than 600 participants are expected to attend, including Mayor Min Hyung-bae, City Council Chair Song Hyung-gon, Superintendent of Education Kim Dae-jung, Gwangju Chapter Chief of the Liberation Association Ko Uk, Jeonnam Provincial Chapter Chief Song In-jung, members of the National Assembly, heads of city, district, and county governments, members of the Liberation Association, families of national independence honorees, officials from patriotic organizations, and citizens.

81st Liberation Day Celebration. Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Metropolitan City

The event will proceed in the following order: opening video screening, national ceremony, welcoming address, commemorative address, awards for independence meritorious persons, celebratory speech, commemorative performance, group singing of the Liberation Day song, and three cheers for independence.

The opening video, "The History of Liberation, the Future of Jeonnam Gwangju," consists of four chapters: liberation, democracy, the unity of Jeonnam and Gwangju, and the future of Jeonnam Gwangju. It captures how the sacrifice and dedication of the independence activists led to today’s Republic of Korea and the formation of the integrated special city.

The Suncheon City Children's Choir will present a commemorative performance under the theme “Light of Liberation, Connecting to the Future.” Through a narrative that spans from the flames of resistance to wishes, liberation, and eventually the future, they will express the spirit of the independence movement and the joy of liberation.

During the celebration, presidential commendations will be awarded to five individuals who contributed to promoting national independence and fostering national spirit, and six individuals will receive mayoral commendations.

Prior to the main event, a memorial ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the Gwangju Independence Movement Memorial Tower in Sangmu Citizens' Park, attended by Mayor Min, Chair Song, Superintendent Kim, Liberation Association chapter chiefs of Gwangju and Jeonnam, and officials from patriotic organizations.

After the conclusion of the main ceremony, the Gwangju Chapter of the Liberation Association will host a celebratory concert. The Liberation Day celebration will be broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, “Jeonnam Gwangju TV.”

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