Urban Memories of 8.15... Academic Conference Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Liberation

Academic Conference "Urban Memories of 8.15"
to Be Held at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History on August 8

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History announced on August 5 that it will hold an academic conference titled "Urban Memories of 8·15" in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation. The event will take place on August 8 in the museum's 6th-floor lecture hall.

Poster for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Academic Conference. National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

This academic conference has been organized to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation, with the aim of examining the changes, crises, and conflicts faced by various cities immediately after liberation, as well as the changes in the lives of people living through those times. The conference will explore the historical event of "liberation" from Japanese imperialism on August 15, 1945, within the context of "cities," while also discussing both the continuity and discontinuity between cities of the past and present.

The conference will begin with a keynote speech by Kim Baekyoung, president of the Urban History Society, titled "The Significance of the 80th Anniversary of Liberation through the Multidimensionality of Urban History." This will be followed by a total of seven presentations and a comprehensive discussion, including: the disposal of enemy property and housing issues in Seoul after liberation (Lee Gilhoon), confusion and reconstruction in the Yeongdeungpo industrial area during the liberation period (Kim Hana), the continuity of military spaces and Bupyeong after liberation (Keum Boun), changes in the East Asian system and the outbreak of cholera in port cities of Jeolla Province in 1946 immediately after the end of the war (Lim Jongmyung), liberation and occupation as seen through the "Hwasun Coal Mine Incident" of 1946 (Kim Bongguk), and liberation and Ulsan, deconstruction and reorganization of integrated colonial spaces (Heo Youngran).

Han Soo, director of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, stated, "This academic conference has been prepared to discuss both the uniqueness and universality of each region through the historical event of 'liberation.' Although most people shared the joy and excitement of liberation at the same time, they inevitably faced different changes and conflicts depending on their location. We hope this conference will serve as an opportunity to focus on the diverse voices that emerged after liberation."

The academic conference is open to all museum visitors on the day of the event. Special commemorative gifts will be provided to those who participate in a subsequent survey.