Eve of 80th Liberation Anniversary to Be Held: First Joint Hosting by Legislature, Executive, and Liberation Association

Independence Movement Reenactment on National Assembly Stage, August 14
Unveiling Ceremony for 'Independence Memory Square'

The eve celebration for the 80th anniversary of Liberation, titled "Daehan Lives On!", jointly hosted by the National Assembly, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Liberation Association, will be held at 8:15 p.m. on August 14 at the central lawn of the National Assembly. Although there have previously been events commemorating Liberation Day organized by civic groups and the government, this is the first official eve celebration co-hosted by the legislative branch, the executive branch, and an organization dedicated to honoring the independence movement.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik stated, "Liberation Day is the most significant day of celebration for us," and added, "Since last year's Liberation Day, we have been steadily preparing an eve celebration at the National Assembly level."

Speaker Woo emphasized, "Our spirit of national sovereignty began with the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the anti-Japanese militia who resisted imperialism, and we proudly achieved liberation because we have a history of independence struggles carried on by independence fighters and the Liberation Army. We have prepared this commemorative event to honor that day and to celebrate all the people of the Republic of Korea, who are the true protagonists of that day."

The eve celebration is focused on both reflecting on the history of the independence movement and the meaning of liberation, and expressing gratitude to the citizens who gathered in front of the National Assembly to defend democracy. The event title, "Daehan Lives On!", conveys the message of remembering the history reclaimed through the collective struggle of countless ordinary people against foreign oppression, and also aims to shed new light on our lives as we continue to live as "Daehan."

A performance featuring a media facade projected onto the National Assembly building and a drone show is planned. During the media facade segment, moments from the independence movement, key scenes and figures from modern and contemporary history, and messages to be remembered together with the public will be mapped onto the walls of the National Assembly building.

The commemorative concert will feature artists spanning generations and genres, including Kang Sane, Gummy, Dynamic Duo, Mad Clown, MAETRI×Kim Hyungseok, 10CM, VIVIZ, Ali, Crying Nut, Paul Kim, and PSY.

A dedication ceremony will also be held for the newly established "Independence Memory Square" within the National Assembly grounds, created to honor the unknown independence fighters.

Those who reserve a mobile advance admission ticket through Naver Booking starting at 8:15 p.m. on August 7 will be able to attend the eve celebration.

Meanwhile, last year, controversy arose when the Independence Hall of Korea canceled the Liberation Day celebration ceremony for the first time since its opening. Kim Hyungseok, who was appointed director of the Independence Hall in August last year under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, canceled the ceremony immediately after taking office. This was the first time in 37 years that the ceremony was not held since the Independence Hall opened on August 15, 1987. Director Kim Hyungseok has previously denied efforts to address pro-Japanese collaborators and advocated for the 1948 Foundation Day, leading to his identification as a 'New Right' figure.