Yoon, Luncheon with Descendants of Independence Patriots... "Building a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Republic of Korea" (Comprehensive)

"Doing Our Best to Ensure Proper Honors for Patriots and Their Descendants"
"We Will Not Forget the Ancestors Who Defended the Value of Freedom"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at a luncheon for descendants of independence activists held on the 14th at the Blue House State Guest House.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol invited about 100 descendants of independence patriots to a luncheon at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 14th, ahead of the 79th Liberation Day, and stated, "We will never forget the will of our ancestors who protected and developed the value of freedom, and we will devote all our efforts to building a free, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Korea."

In his luncheon speech, President Yoon emphasized, "It was through the sacrifices and dedication of independence heroes who dreamed of a 'nation where the people are free' that we were able to regain our country," and added, "There were heroes who established the free democratic Republic of Korea and defended freedom against North Korea's invasion." He continued, "We will build a solid foundation so that our future generations can take pride and leap forward into a greater Korea," and stressed, "The spirit and legacy of independence left by the heroes will be remembered forever, and we will do our best to ensure that the patriots and their descendants receive proper respect and treatment."

The luncheon event was attended by a diverse group of people from various sectors and generations, including descendants of overseas independence patriots visiting Korea for Liberation Day, scholarship recipients who are descendants of independence patriots, specially invited guests who have made significant contributions to the nation and society, members of the Association of Bereaved Families of Patriots, and officials from independence-related commemorative organizations. The luncheon was organized by President Yoon to show respect and honor to the descendants of independence patriots and to boost their pride, held under the slogan "Free Korea will forever remember the independence heroes."

Among the specially invited guests was Hur Mimi, the fifth-generation descendant of the late independence activist Hur Seok and a silver medalist in judo representing Korea at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hur Seok was imprisoned for one year near Daegu in 1918 for anti-Japanese activities and died from aftereffects. Although Hur Mimi held dual citizenship in Japan and Korea, she renounced her Japanese citizenship in accordance with her grandmother's last wish to become a Korean national athlete.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting Heo Mimi, a judo medalist from the Paris Olympics, at a luncheon for descendants of independence activists held on the 14th at the Blue House State Guesthouse.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Hur Mimi said, "When I first came to Korea following my grandmother's last wish, I learned that I am a descendant of an independence patriot," and expressed her pride in wearing the Taegeuk mark while practicing judo. She vowed, "I will train harder so that I can sing the national anthem at the LA Olympics," receiving great applause and cheers. On the same day, Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Liberation Association, a group of independence movement descendants, did not attend the luncheon, demanding the withdrawal of Kim Hyung-seok's appointment as director of the Independence Hall.

President Yoon personally introduced descendants of independence patriots from the United States, China, and Kazakhstan, expressing gratitude for their visit to their homeland. According to a written briefing by presidential spokesperson Jung Hye-jun, President Yoon shared an anecdote about his recent visit to Central Asia, where he met many descendants of independence activists and forcibly relocated compatriots, gaining valuable insights. About 30 overseas descendants of independence patriots invited by the government to visit Korea for Liberation Day are also scheduled to attend the Liberation Day celebration ceremony tomorrow.

Yoon: "Descendants of Independence Patriots Will Lead the Republic of Korea"

University students who are descendants of independence patriots and receive scholarships from companies that have signed business agreements with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs also joined the luncheon. President Yoon encouraged them, saying, "As descendants of independence patriot families, I expect you to lead the future of Korea."

Also present were Kim Ho-yeon, chairman of Binggrae and grandson-in-law of independence patriot Baekbeom Kim Gu; Shin Min-sik, chairman of the social contribution committee of Jaseng Medical Foundation and son of independence patriot Shin Gwang-yeol; Yoo Il-ling, director and granddaughter of independence activist and Yuhan Yanghaeng founder Yoo Il-han; Han Min-gu, chairman of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology and descendant of Han Gi-ak; and Lee Ok-bi, the only daughter of Lee Yuk-sa, a representative resistance poet against Japanese colonial rule.

The only daughter of Yi Yuk-sa, a representative resistance poet of the Japanese colonial era, Lee Ok-bi, is greeting the attendees during President Yoon Suk-yeol's introduction at the luncheon for descendants of independence activists held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 14th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Also attending were descendants who have served the nation for generations, including firefighter Gong Byung-sam, whose great-grandfather was an independence patriot, grandfather a Korean War veteran, and father a Vietnam War veteran; Army Sergeant Shin Eun-jung, whose great-grandfather was an independence patriot and grandfather a Korean War veteran; Police Sergeant Lee Dae-ho, whose maternal grandfather was an independence patriot; and Air Force Lieutenant Kim Min-seok, whose maternal grandfather was an independence patriot and father a Korean War veteran.

Members of the Association of Bereaved Families of Patriots, including chairman Lee Dong-il, also participated. The term "patriots who died for the country" refers to those who died before Liberation Day on August 15, 1945, and the association is a corporation composed of their bereaved families. In his greeting, Lee Dong-il introduced a great-grandson of independence activist Lee Gang-nyeon, who was executed at Seodaemun Prison, as being present, and expressed gratitude, saying, "The memorial tablets of the patriots are currently enshrined in a cramped space, but the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is proceeding with the 'Hall of Independence' project to enshrine them in a new space, with construction about to begin soon."

Also attending were representatives of independence-related commemorative organizations, including Myung No-seung, chairman of the Maehun Yun Bong-gil Memorial Association; Kim Jae-sil, chairman of the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho Memorial Association; Lee Mi-ae, representative of the Baekcho-wol Monk Commemoration Association; and Jeong Su-yong, chairman of the Lee Bong-chang Patriot Memorial Association. From the presidential office, National Security Office chief Shin Won-sik and other officials were present.

The luncheon menu included "Flower Tofu Seon," made by mashing and shaping vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu decorated as flowers; "Pyeongando-style Eobok Jeongban" (a fish dish); grilled "Eoganjang Sombangi" (a type of fish); "Kim Sae-u Jeon" (shrimp pancake); "Mountain Vegetable Bibimbap"; and "Dried Shrimp and Malva Soup." For dessert, a "Pine Needle Mousse Cake" with a Taegeuk pattern was prepared to honor the patriotic ancestors who waved the national flag.

After the luncheon, President Yoon went around the tables shaking hands with the attendees. He then shouted "Long live the Republic of Korea" with all participants for a commemorative photo before leaving the venue.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding after watching a video at a luncheon for descendants of independence activists held at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]