Gyeonggi Province to Hold Liberation Day Ceremony on the 15th, Honoring Achievements of 81 Independence Patriots

Gyeonggi Province will hold the 81st Liberation Day commemoration event on August 15 at the Grand Theater of Gyeonggi Arts Center under the theme, "Gratitude for All the Days We Enjoy. We Will Remember."

During the event, Gyeonggi Province will put a spotlight on this year's independence patriots of Gyeonggi selected by the Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter of the Liberation Association through the tribute, "81 Lives, Memories of Light Built Together!" The history of the independence movement from 1895 to the present day, as well as the processes of the Republic of Korea's development, will be revisited. The achievements of Oh Sungkyu, the oldest surviving independence patriot currently residing in Gyeonggi, along with 81 other independence honorees, will be commemorated.

Patriot Oh Sungkyu enlisted in the 3rd Detachment of the Korean Liberation Army in 1944 and participated in special joint US-Korea training operations for the domestic offensive. After liberation, he was recognized for his dedication in protecting Korean expatriates in Japan and was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal in 1990. He returned to South Korea in 2023 and is currently living at the Suwon Veterans Home.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

This year, the featured independence patriots include Haegong Shin Ikhee, who was born in Gwangju and led the independence movement as Minister of Justice as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Interior for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai; and Lee Seokyeong, who raised substantial funds by disposing of large tracts of land based in Namyangju and contributed to the establishment of the Shinheung Military Academy.

The original reading play "Names Called Again" will feature actors reenacting the stories of independence patriots who participated in the March 1st Movement, armed resistance against Japan, and the activities of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, conveying the vision and determination for the homeland that the forebears once dreamed of.

In the event lobby, 20 pieces across four types of the Republic of Korea's orders of merit—including the Order of Merit for National Foundation—will be displayed, along with reproductions of writings by patriot Ahn Jung-geun, including "A Long Sigh for the Eventual Passing of Japan" (Jangtan Ilseong Seonjo Ilbon) and "Independence."

Seo Ki-cheon, Director of General Administration at Gyeonggi Province, said, "The daily life we enjoy today is built upon the dedication of countless independence activists," adding, "I hope this event serves as a meaningful opportunity to shed new light on the historical significance of the independence movement and move toward a better future through inclusion and solidarity."

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