The Spirit of Sacrifice Shown by the Uibyeong in Times of Crisis
The Need to Embrace Their Legacy of Unity and Harmony
The 15th Uibyeong Day Commemoration Ceremony was held in Uiryeong County, Gyeongnam, for the first time in 14 years.
The "15th Uibyeong Day Commemoration Ceremony," hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and organized by Uiryeong County, was successfully held on June 1, 2025, at the Chungiksa area in Uiryeong County under the theme "Uibyeong! Spreading Hope Across the Nation."
Welcoming speech by County Governor Oh Taewan at the 15th Uibyeong Day Commemoration Ceremony. Provided by Uiryeong County
Uibyeong Day is a government-level commemorative event established to honor the spirit of sacrifice shown by the Uibyeong and to inspire patriotism among the people. Uiryeong County residents played a leading role in having it designated as a national memorial day in 2010, and as a result, the first ceremony was held in Uiryeong.
Uibyeong Day is set according to the solar calendar to commemorate April 22 of the lunar calendar, the day when General Gwak Jaewoo, known as the "Red-Clad General," raised the Uibyeong in Uiryeong during the 1592 Imjin War.
The establishment of Uibyeong Day is the result of nearly half a century of independent efforts by Uiryeong County.
Since 1972, Uiryeong County has hosted the nation's largest Uibyeong festival, the Honguijanggun Festival (formerly Uibyeong Festival), continuously promoting the Uibyeong spirit and requesting the designation of a national memorial day.
In particular, in 2008, over 15,000 signatures?more than half the county's population?were collected and a petition was submitted to the National Assembly. In 2010, the National Assembly passed the resolution, and in May of the same year, the government officially designated and proclaimed June 1 of each year as Uibyeong Day.
The ceremony included a welcoming speech by County Governor Oh Taewan, a commemorative address by Vice Minister Kim Minjae of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, a memorial address by National Assembly member Park Sangwoong, a performance embodying the courageous spirit of the Uibyeong, a themed performance, a choral rendition of the Uibyeong Song (lyrics by Lee Geunbae, composed by Lee Cheolgu), and a collective cheer. On this day, Governor Oh presented a plaque of appreciation to former Governor Kim Chaeyong, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of Uibyeong Day.
Notably, the ceremony was held at the Uibyeong Tower, which honors General Gwak Jaewoo and the seventeen commanders who served under him. The attendance of Lee Gigo, a descendant representative of the eighteenth general, added further significance to the event.
Governor Oh Taewan stated, "Uiryeong County will promote the 'value of the Uibyeong,' not as a history of the past, but as a spirit needed for our times." He added, "The Uibyeong's spirit of sacrifice, their resilience in the face of crisis, and their unity and harmony in embracing everyone for the goals of justice and community will bring new hope to Korea, where division and conflict continue."
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