Gyeonggi Province will invite descendants of independence activists residing overseas to the Liberation Day celebration on August 15, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.
The invitees are the descendants of Heo Wi (1854-1908), Kye Bongu (1880-1959), and Lee Donghwa (1896-1934), who currently reside in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China, respectively.
Gyeonggi Province explained that this event was organized to honor the noble spirit of independence activists who dedicated themselves to the restoration of national sovereignty and to express gratitude to their descendants.
Heo Wi was a prominent militia leader who organized anti-Japanese militias during the Eulmi Righteous Army uprising and, after the Eulsa Treaty, united militia forces from across the country.
He gathered militias in the Yeoncheon, Jeokseong, and Cheorwon regions to fight against Japanese rule. In 1907, together with Lee Inyoung's militia unit, he formed the 13-province Righteous Army, a nationwide coalition, and prepared for the Seoul offensive operation. He was later captured by the Japanese in 1908 and died in Seodaemun Prison. In recognition of his achievements, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal, in 1962.
Kye Bongu was a representative intellectual and independence activist who promoted national education and the anti-Japanese movement in the Bukgando and Primorsky Krai regions. He published anti-Japanese articles such as "Uibyeongjeon" in the Independent Newspaper. Even after liberation, he refused North Korea's request to return and remained in Kazakhstan, dedicating himself to the study and education of the Korean language and history. In recognition of his achievements, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, in 1995.
Lee Donghwa, as a member of the Uiyeoldan, learned bomb-making techniques and led armed resistance against Japanese rule. He also served as a military instructor at the 6th Chosun Revolutionary Military-Political Cadre School and died in 1934. In recognition, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotism Medal, in 2009.
This invitation event will bring together a total of seven people, including Heo Wi's grandson Heo Vladislav (age 75), Kye Bongu's granddaughter Kye Daziyana (age 75) and her family, and Lee Donghwa's granddaughter Ju Yongyong (age 68) and her family.
They will attend the "Gyeonggi Province 80th Liberation Anniversary Celebration" to be held at the Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon on August 15, where they will join local residents in reflecting on the significance of liberation.
Cho Byungrae, Director-General of Autonomy and Administration for Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Inviting descendants of overseas independence activists is an occasion to remember the sacrifices of our forebears and demonstrates Gyeonggi Province's commitment to faithfully carrying on the light we have regained." He added, "We will continue to promote a variety of commemorative projects for Liberation Day to spread proper historical awareness together with our residents."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
