Descendant of Independence Activist, Zainichi Korean Chooses Korean Nationality
"I Will Definitely Win a Gold Medal at the Next Olympics," Declares Ambition
Heo Mimi, who won a silver medal in the individual judo event and a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympics, visited and paid respects to her great-grandfather, independence activist Heo Seok, at his memorial monument upon returning to Korea. On the 6th, Yonhap News reported that at 10 a.m., Heo Mimi visited the memorial monument located in Samgukyusa-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu. Smiling brightly in front of the monument, Heo Mimi said, "Next time, I will bring home a gold medal," dedicating her medal.
On the morning of the 6th, Heo Mimi, who won a silver medal in the women's 57kg judo event and a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, visited the Miracle Monument dedicated to independence activist and her great-grandfather Heo Seok, located in Hwasuri, Samgukyusa-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu. She paid her respects and placed her Olympic medals there. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Heo Mimi, a Zainichi Korean born to a Korean father and a Japanese mother, chose Korean nationality in 2021. It is known that her grandmother’s last wish was for her to wear the Taegeuk mark and compete as an athlete.
Heo Mimi told reporters, "I wanted to come here first and show my medal," adding, "If my grandfather were alive, he would have been very happy."
Regarding how she felt when she learned that her grandfather was an independence activist and competed wearing the Taegeuk mark, she said, "At first, I felt a burden," but added, "Now, I am truly happy to compete as a representative of Korea." She emphasized, "I will work hard in training and definitely bring home a gold medal at the next Olympics."
On the same day, Kim Jeong-hoon, director of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Council, accompanied Heo Mimi. He helped uncover that she is a fifth-generation descendant of an independence activist during the process of bringing her to Korea and signing her to the team. Director Kim explained, "In 2021, due to COVID-19, Heo first came to Korea and was quarantined alone for 15 days, training in solitude. At that time, it was very painful to see her like that. While looking for ways to help Heo Mimi, I discovered this fact." He added, "Heo Mimi’s skills were sufficient that I personally expected her to win a gold medal. However, due to a lack of experience in major competitions, a small mistake led to this result. I will work hard by her side so she can win gold at the next Olympics."
On the morning of the 6th, Heo Mimi, who won a silver medal in the women's 57kg judo event and a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, visited the Monument of Miracles dedicated to independence activist and her great-grandfather Heo Seok, located in Hwasuri, Samgukyusa-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu, and took a commemorative photo. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Kim Jeom-du, chairman of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Council, who attended the event, said, "Heo Mimi’s performance in France seemed to show the pride of Heo Seok even in modern times," and added, "As a sports official from Gyeongbuk, I will support her in every way possible to elevate the status and honor of Korea through judo." Lee Cheol-woo, governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, also promised, "At the provincial level, we will actively support her so that she can perform even better at the LA Olympics four years from now."
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