Foundation for Supporting Victims of Forced Mobilization to Hold Special Exhibition for 80th Anniversary of Liberation: "Return, Those Left Behind, Their Stories"

Highlighting the Journey of Return and Historical Tasks of Forced Mobilization Victims
Special Lecture Series to Be Held in Conjunction

The Foundation for Supporting Victims of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation (Chairman Shim Kyuseon) will open a special exhibition titled "Return" on August 12 at the Special Exhibition Hall on the 4th floor of the National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Liberation and the 10th anniversary of the museum's opening.

This special exhibition sheds light on how the victims of forced mobilization greeted liberation, as well as the historical tasks that remain for us today.

The foundation has presented the results of its research, oral testimonies from victims, and collected artifacts accumulated over the past 10 years through videos, photographs, and media art.

The exhibition begins in a space where the journey across the Korea Strait in a small boat is recreated through media art, and it explores the process of return, survival, and the unfinished tasks such as the repatriation of remains, focusing on four main themes: △The Moment of Liberation △Those Who Returned △Those Who Were Left Behind △Those Who Became Spirits.

The opening ceremony for the special exhibition will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 11, attended by the bereaved families of victims and officials from related organizations. The general public can visit the exhibition from August 12 to October 31.

In addition, a lecture program titled "Liberation and Return: The Untold Stories" will be held in conjunction with the special exhibition. The program consists of three lectures: △"The Continuity of Forced Mobilization Victimization Even After Liberation" by Lee Yeonsik, professor at Sophia University in Japan (August 23) △"Tracing the Memories of the Strata" by photographer An Sehong (August 30) △"Enduring Life, Remaining Scars" by Choi Jungeun, lecturer at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (September 6). The lectures will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays in the multimedia room on the 6th floor of the museum, and anyone of high school age or older can attend free of charge with prior reservation.

Chairman Shim Kyuseon stated, "This special exhibition will be an opportunity not only to remember the joy of liberation, but also to reflect on the historical tasks that must not be ignored."

Poster for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Special Exhibition: "Returned, Left Behind, Their Stories".