Gumi-si Hosts Cultural Event Celebrating the 106th Birthday of President Park Jeong-hui

Nationwide Public Participation in Celebrating President Park's Birthday

From 'Commemoration' to 'Celebration' Event, Popular Singer Performance

On the 14th, Gumi City in Gyeongbuk held a cultural event commemorating the 106th birthday of President Park Chung-hee, who led South Korea's modernization, at the square around the birthplace and historical museum of President Park. The event was organized by the 'Park Chung-hee President Birthplace Preservation Association' (Chairman Park Dong-jin).

The event was attended by Kim Kwan-yong, Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council; Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party; Mayor Kim Jang-ho; National Assembly members Koo Ja-geun and Kim Young-sik; An Joo-chan, Chairperson of the City Council; heads of institutions and organizations within Gyeongbuk Province; and citizens from across the country celebrating the 106th birthday of President Park Chung-hee.

At the memorial hall of President Park Chung-hee's birthplace, a memorial rite was held in the order of chief ritualist (Governor Lee Cheol-woo), assistant ritualist (National Assembly member Koo Ja-geun), and concluding ritualist (National Assembly member Kim Young-sik). A commemorative ceremony and celebratory performances were held on the special stage in the square around the President Park Chung-hee Historical Museum.

Before the event, a calm classical music performance set the tone and raised anticipation for the ceremony and celebratory performances. After the opening ceremony, the program proceeded with the screening of a commemorative video of President Park, a commemorative speech by Mayor Kim Jang-ho, congratulatory speeches by guests, greetings from representatives of the bereaved families, and a relay reading video of the National Education Charter involving citizen participation.

Unlike previous years, after the ceremony, popular singers such as Shin Yoo and Kim Yang, along with the Gumi City Choir, performed celebratory concerts, drawing enthusiastic responses from the audience attending the event.

Around the statue, activities such as making personalized calendars and photo exhibitions depicting President Park's life story added interactive and visual attractions. Around the special stage, local food and Gumi tourism souvenir booths were set up, enhancing the event's purpose while contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

Mayor Kim Jang-ho expressed his gratitude to the many visitors from across the country who came to their hometown city of Gumi to celebrate President Park Chung-hee's 106th birthday, stating, “With President Park Chung-hee’s ‘Can Do’ spirit, we will recreate Gumi City as a city of 500,000 population and $50 billion in exports, advancing once again as a pivotal city responsible for South Korea’s future.”

Despite the chilly weather, the event concluded warmly with tea service provided by major organizations such as the Tea Union Association, Gumi Saemaul Association, and Barugesalgi Movement Gumi Council, as well as warm gukbap (rice soup) prepared by the Korea Supporters Volunteer Group for the visitors.

On the 18th, a lecture by Choi Tae-sung, a famous top Korean history instructor, will be held at the Grand Performance Hall of the Cultural and Arts Center. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.