Remains of Six Independence Activists to Return Home 80 Years After Liberation

The remains of six independence activists who were buried overseas will return to their homeland 80 years after Korea’s liberation.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on August 7 that, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation, the remains of six independence activists will be repatriated to Korea: Moon Yangmok (United States, 1995 Order of Merit for National Foundation), Lim Changmo (United States, 2019 Order of Merit for National Foundation), Kim Jaeun (United States, 2002 Order of Merit for National Foundation), Kim Giju (Brazil, 1990 Order of Merit for National Foundation), Han Eungkyu (Brazil, 1990 Order of Merit for National Foundation), and Kim Deokyun (Canada, 1990 Order of Merit for National Foundation).

To facilitate the repatriation of these independence activists’ remains, the ministry has organized a repatriation team consisting of five groups and a total of 11 members, who will be dispatched to the respective countries between August 8 and 9. The team will serve as government representatives, participating in local memorial ceremonies organized by embassies and Korean expatriate organizations, and will oversee the repatriation procedures together with the bereaved families.

Among the independence activists whose remains are being repatriated, Moon Yangmok will return to his homeland 120 years after leaving Korea in 1905. Born in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do, Moon moved to the United States, where he founded the Daedong Bogukhoe, the predecessor of the Korean National Association. He also formed and led the support committee for the trial of Jang Inhwan and Jeon Myeongun, and served as president of the Korean National Association, dedicating his entire life to the independence movement.

In particular, since there were no surviving family members (spouse, siblings, parents, or children) with legal rights to relocate Moon Yangmok’s remains, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs filed a petition with a U.S. court for exhumation and relocation. After persistent efforts over the course of about a year, including the submission of signatures from more than 1,000 Korean expatriates, the court granted approval, making the repatriation possible.

Among the independence activists whose remains are being repatriated, Moon Yangmok, Kim Deokyun, and Kim Giju will be repatriated together with their spouses. After the local memorial ceremonies for each independence activist, the repatriation team and bereaved families will return to Korea together with the remains. A welcoming ceremony will be held at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on August 12. The following day, on the morning of August 13, a repatriation ceremony will take place at the Memorial Hall of the Seoul National Cemetery, and in the afternoon, the remains will be interred at the Daejeon National Cemetery.

Kwon Oeul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated, "It is deeply meaningful to be able to bring back the remains of six independence activists who devoted themselves to the nation’s independence in this significant year marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation." He added, "The government will do its utmost to ensure that these six individuals, including Moon Yangmok, may rest in peace with the respect and remembrance of the entire nation."