[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The Taegeukgi flag given by Kim Gu (1876?1949), the chairman of the Provisional Government, to Father Mius Oge, who was traveling from China to the United States in 1941. Kim Gu's handwritten inscription is written on the white background.
The Taegeukgi flag engraved with the phrase "The national sovereignty will be restored soon" (불원복, 不遠復), used by the militia leader Go Gwang-sun (1848?1907), who was active in Gurye, Jeollanam-do during the late Joseon period.
These rare Taegeukgi flags, which hold the value of national treasures and registered cultural heritage, are being displayed in Ulsan in celebration of this year's Liberation Day.
On the 15th at 10 a.m., Ulsan City will hold the "77th Liberation Day Celebration Ceremony" at the Ulsan Culture and Arts Center.
This year's ceremony has been scaled down to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines, with 250 attendees including descendants of independence activists and heads of veterans' organizations. The event is held under the theme "Creating a Great New Ulsan! Opening a Bold Future."
The commemorative performance is a musical titled "The Journey of Korean Liberation," which expresses the life of Park Sang-jin, the commander-in-chief of the Liberation Corps from Ulsan, through dance and song.
The ceremony will be broadcast live from 10 a.m. on Ulsan City's official YouTube channel, "Ulsan Whale TV."
Mayor Kim Du-gyeom of Ulsan said, "Ulsan is a city imbued with the spirit of numerous independence fighters, including Park Sang-jin, the commander-in-chief of the Liberation Corps, and it is a city that led industrialization, propelling South Korea into an advanced economic power. Based on the passion of previous generations and 60 years of industrial strength, we will realize a newly created great Ulsan and pass on a dynamic city to future generations."
Before the ceremony, at 9:30 a.m., a memorial service honoring the noble spirits of the patriotic martyrs and national heroes will be held at the "Ulsan Anti-Japanese Independence Movement Memorial Tower" in Daldong Cultural Park, with about 50 Liberation Corps members participating.
Following that, at 11:30 a.m., the "101st Anniversary Memorial Event for the Death of Goheon Park Sang-jin" will be held at the birthplace of Park Sang-jin in Songjeong-dong, Buk-gu, with about 100 attendees including Mayor Kim Du-gyeom, local lawmakers, veterans' organizations, and descendants.
Ulsan City will display a large banner Taegeukgi flag at the Ulsan City Council building and will reproduce and hoist four precious Taegeukgi flags, including those touched by Kim Gu and militia leaders, around the city hall premises.
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