Special Lecture by Gwangbok Association President Kim Dong-yeon: "We Will Take Steps to Establish the Independence Hall and Set History Right"

Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the Day of the Patriotic Martyrs (November 17), held a special lecture on the history of the independence movement titled "The History of the Republic of Korea, Its Memory and Future" on the 12th at Dasan Hall in the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, inviting Lee Jong-chan, President of the Liberation Association.

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon said in his greeting, "Now is the time to set history straight," adding, "There are various movements that mislead with reversed or incorrect historical views. Gyeonggi Province is engaged in activities to set history straight and related to the patriotic martyrs."

He especially noted, "One of the major projects Gyeonggi Province is undertaking to mark the 80th anniversary of liberation is the construction of a new Independence Hall," and added, "I hope that by listening to President Lee Jong-chan’s remarks today, we will reaffirm Gyeonggi Province’s commitment to playing the most leading role in setting history straight."

Lee Jong-chan, the invited lecturer of the day and President of the Liberation Association, is the grandson of Udang Lee Hoe-young, an independence activist during the Japanese colonial era. Currently serving as the 23rd President of the Liberation Association, he leads efforts to promote the spirit of the independence movement and to educate and commemorate accurate history.

In his lecture, Lee Jong-chan stated, "The government and some New Right groups claim that the Provisional Government was not internationally recognized and was merely an arbitrary organization, not a government. However, the Republic of Korea Provisional Government officially acted as a government by petitioning for independence in Paris, conducting military activities, and even issuing government bonds," urging a correct understanding of Korea’s identity and the history of the independence movement. He also introduced the history of the righteous armies and independence fighters, as well as the achievements of Generals Ahn Jung-geun and Hong Beom-do.

Furthermore, he said, "From President Syngman Rhee to President Yoon Suk-yeol, I have personally experienced and felt the turbulent history. Whenever the country is shaken, a problem solver emerges to manage the difficult crisis. The country is currently very chaotic. It seems the ship of the Republic of Korea is facing a storm," emphasizing, "I believe Governor Kim and Gyeonggi Province will play a significant role in these difficult times."

Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the Patriots and Independence Activists Day (November 17), held a special lecture on the history of the independence movement titled "The History of the Republic of Korea, Its Memory and Future" on the 12th at Dasan Hall in the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, inviting Lee Jong-chan, President of the Liberation Association. Governor Kim Dong-yeon (sixth from the left) and President Lee Jong-chan (seventh from the left) are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office

Lee also diagnosed that the current difficulties stem from the country’s failure to establish a proper identity, stating, "The Liberation Association is facing tremendous challenges now. It seems to have become a target of dislike. The academic field of history is completely dominated by the New Right. However, I am not disappointed because of the passionate public officials in Gyeonggi Province and Governor Kim. I am confident that victory is on our side," he added.

Gyeonggi Province is conducting a ‘Setting History Straight’ campaign ahead of the 80th anniversary of liberation next year, and this special lecture was the third event in the series. Previously, on August 10, the Day of Remembrance for Comfort Women, the province delivered ‘flowers of memory’ to 139 girl statues nationwide, and on August 14, the day before Liberation Day, it screened the film ‘1923 Kanto Massacre’ for provincial government employees.

The ultimate goal of Gyeonggi Province’s ‘Setting History Straight’ campaign is to promote the construction of the ‘Gyeonggi Province Independence Hall (provincial).’

Governor Kim Dong-yeon expressed the province’s intention to build an Independence Hall at a luncheon on September 26, which invited former directors of the Cheonan Independence Hall.

The attendees agreed on the direction for the Gyeonggi Independence Hall, including ▲ Gyeonggi Province officially promoting a metropolitan area Independence Hall in close cooperation with the Liberation Association ▲ proceeding in a way that does not damage the symbolic value of the Cheonan Independence Hall ▲ developing it into a world-class premium Independence Hall by globally encompassing generations and integrating new technologies such as AI.