Gumi City Installs New Landmark at Wangsan Heo Wi’s Tomb Honoring Patriotic Spirit

A Quick Look at Independence Achievements Through QR Codes

The spirit of independence embodied by Wangsan Heo Wi, a beacon in Korea’s struggle for national salvation, is being newly highlighted through an updated guide sign.

The city of Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province announced on August 12 that a ceremony to unveil the new guide sign at Wangsan Heo Wi’s tomb, hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, was held at the site.

Commemorative photo after the 'Wangsan Heo Ui Teacher's Grave Guideboard Unveiling Ceremony' hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
[Photo by Gumi City]

Approximately 50 people attended the event, including Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul, Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho, Heo Wi’s great-grandson Heo Yoon, family members residing abroad, as well as representatives from the Wangsan Memorial Association and local veterans' organizations.

This installation of guide signs is part of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ “Independence Patriots Restoration Project.” The initiative involves placing signs equipped with QR codes providing location information and details of independence activities at 50 individual graves of independence patriots outside national cemeteries.

Wangsan Heo Wi organized righteous army resistance in response to the Eulsa Treaty and the dissolution of the Korean military, and led the Seoul Advance Operation as the military leader of the Thirteen-Provinces League Army in 1908. After being captured, he was executed at Seodaemun Prison. In 1962, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal.

The Wangsan family is particularly recognized as one of Korea’s representative independence movement families, having produced six recognized independence patriots across three generations.

Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho said, “I hope this newly unveiled guide sign serves as a meaningful milestone, sharing the life and noble patriotic spirit of Wangsan Heo Wi. We will continue to expand commemorative projects for Wangsan Heo Wi and honor the descendants of independence patriots with even greater diligence.”

It is essential to carry out ongoing management and active utilization of these historic sites, so that Wangsan Heo Wi’s noble spirit of independence can be learned and remembered on location.

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