Seongbuk-gu Distributes 'Daehanminguk Manse! Mask' Commemorating the 75th Liberation Day to 4,500 Independence Patriots, Descendants, and Veterans
Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, is handing over the "Korea Manse! Mask" to Isuk, President of the Seongbuk Branch of the Liberation Association.
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] In June, Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) and the owners of sewing companies in Seongbuk-gu, who had previously enhanced national prestige by producing and donating the "Cheer Up Turkey! Mask" to their brotherly nation Turkey, have once again united.
This time, they produced the "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Mask" to commemorate the 75th Liberation Day, distributing it to independence patriots, their descendants, and veterans.
The "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Mask" was specially produced using government disaster relief fund donations, adding deeper significance.
The donors include Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, the Seongbuk-dong Pigeon Association members (representative Kim Jae-myung), Kim Yang-soon, Chairperson of the Seongbuk-gu branch of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Yoon Jae-sung, Chairperson of the Dong District Community Security Council, Hwang Young-sun, member of the Seongbuk-gu Integrated Defense Council, and Hwang Ha-yeon of the Saemaeul Geumgo Seongbuk-gu Association.
They agreed to use the government disaster relief funds for positive changes in the local community, pooling 10 million won of private funds. After discussion, they decided to use the funds to honor those who made noble sacrifices for the Republic of Korea, fitting for "Seongbuk, the city of independence activists."
Seongbuk-gu, which became the center of the anti-Japanese movement when Manhae Han Yong-un moved to 'Simujang' in Seongbuk-dong, has continued this spirit by renaming Incheon-ro to Goryeo-daero, supporting overseas cities in building Peace Girl Statues for local children and youth, and engaging in various ongoing historical rectification efforts such as the boycott of Japanese products challenge.
Seongbuk-gu, following the donors' intentions, decided to produce and distribute the "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Mask" on the occasion of the 75th Liberation Day to honor and publicize the independence patriots, their descendants, and veterans who made noble sacrifices for the nation.
Seongbuk-gu sewing company owners also contributed their efforts. Seongbuk-gu is home to over 1,600 small and medium fashion sewing companies recognized domestically and internationally, regarded as the center of K-fashion. However, they faced severe crises such as blocked overseas sales channels due to COVID-19. In March, Seongbuk-gu proactively launched the "National Safety Mask" project to resolve mask supply issues and support sewing companies, providing much-needed work.
As a gesture of gratitude, producing and distributing the "Cheer Up Turkey! Mask" was highly praised for enhancing national prestige alongside K-quarantine efforts.
Upon hearing the news, sewing company owners actively expressed their willingness to participate in mask production, and in collaboration with Seongbuk-gu, 10,000 "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Masks" were created.
On the 14th at 11 a.m., Seongbuk-gu held a "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Mask" delivery ceremony at the Seongbuk-gu Veterans Hall with local independence patriots, their descendants, and veterans officials. Although only a few attendees were present in accordance with social distancing rules, the atmosphere was more solemn than ever.
Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, who donated disaster relief funds for the production of the "Daehanminguk Manse! Mask" (fourth from the left in the front row), along with other donors and representatives of nine veterans' organizations in Seongbuk-gu, are holding the Daehanminguk Manse masks and taking a commemorative photo.
One attendee said, "Although the mask is palm-sized, the meaning and significance contained within felt broader than the activity area of my late father, who fought for independence on the world stage beyond Korea," expressing deep emotion.
Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, "Seongbuk-gu is home to many independence activists centered around Manhae Han Yong-un, and their spirit has become a valuable asset that flows continuously in the region. Various local members have united their hearts to honor their noble sacrifices and will continue efforts together with the next generation."
The "Long Live the Republic of Korea! Mask" will be delivered to nine veterans organizations located in Seongbuk-gu and distributed two masks each to 4,500 independence patriots, veterans, and their descendants.
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