Gyeongbuk Province Holds 102nd Anniversary of March 1st Movement Ceremony... Attended Mainly by Families of Independence Patriots

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do held the '102nd Anniversary of the March 1st Movement Commemoration Ceremony' on the morning of the 1st at the Dongnak Hall of the provincial government office to honor the noble patriotism of the forefathers.<사진>

The event was attended by Governor Lee Cheol-woo, Goh Woo-hyun, Chairman of the Provincial Council, Superintendent of Education Lim Jong-sik, Chief of Police Yoon Dong-chun, National Assemblyman Kim Hyung-dong, Andong Mayor Kwon Young-se, Yecheon County Governor Kim Hak-dong, Lee Dong-il, head of the Gwangbokhoe provincial branch, and families of independence activists in the province, totaling 200 people.

To prevent COVID-19 infection, Gyeongbuk Province strictly adhered to quarantine rules and minimized the number of attendees, focusing mainly on families of independence activists. The commemorative event began with a musical performance of 'Seokju Lee Sang-ryong' and proceeded with ▲reading of the Declaration of Independence by the head of the Gwangbokhoe Gyeongbuk branch ▲awarding of commendations to patriots ▲and a three cheers led by the chairman of the provincial council.

In particular, Lee Kyung-jae, daughter of the late Lee Kang-oh, who was selected as the recipient of the Presidential Commendation for Independence Activists (Domestic Anti-Japanese), received the award on his behalf. Additionally, the Governor's Commendation was awarded to Kim Sung-ja (Pohang), Kim Young-woo (Gyeongju), Min Byung-gyu (Sangju), Ryu Jeong-ja (Cheongsong), and Shin Young-ah (Uljin).

The pre-ceremony performance of the 'Seokju Lee Sang-ryong' musical was a creative musical produced by the local arts group 'Theater Company Andong,' focusing on the life and independence movement of Seokju Lee Sang-ryong, a native of Andong who served as the first Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "Gyeongbuk has produced the most independence activists nationwide and has continued the proud Gyeongbuk spirit that led Korea through activities such as the righteous army movement, the national debt repayment movement, and the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement). We will devote efforts to discovering hidden independence movement sites and patriots, and continue the movement to build and repair houses for descendants of independence activists who live in hardship."

Meanwhile, among the 16,410 independence activists nationwide (as of February 2021), 2,327 (14.2%) are from Gyeongbuk. Also, Gyeongbuk has the highest number of self-sacrificing independence activists who took their own lives in protest against Japanese colonial rule during the Gyeongsul National Humiliation period, with 17 individuals (out of 61 nationwide).