Invitation of Overseas Descendants of Independence Activists
Proposal to Invite Independence Activists' Descendants to Seoul
Tribute at National Cemetery Followed by Liberation Day Bell-Ringing Ceremony
"The Sacrifice of Our Forebears Made
"It would be wonderful if the Seoul Metropolitan Government could invite descendants of independence activists living overseas and bring them together."
This was the request made by Lee Soshim, the eldest daughter of independence activist Lee Dal, to Mayor Oh Sehoon on July 28, 2024, at the Yeonhwaji building in Chongqing, China, which served as the final headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. In response, Mayor Oh said, "Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, making it all the more meaningful. If we are able to host you, it would be an honor for the city of Seoul as well."
Descendants of independence activists who visited Korea at the invitation of Seoul Mayor Oh Sehun paid their respects at the National Cemetery on the morning of the 13th. They are also scheduled to participate in the 80th Liberation Day event prepared by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Seoul Metropolitan Government
Mayor Oh has fulfilled his "Promise in Chongqing." To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day and to honor independence activists and their descendants, the Seoul Metropolitan Government invited 19 overseas descendants of 11 independence activists to Seoul on the 13th. These independence activists were active during the Japanese colonial period in regions such as China, North Jiandao, Manchuria, Shanghai, and Chongqing. However, many passed away abroad without witnessing liberation, or were unable to return to Korea after liberation, leaving their descendants to settle in China.
Among the descendants visiting Seoul this time are three second-generation representatives whom Mayor Oh personally met last year: Lee Soshim, the eldest daughter of Lee Dal, who worked alongside General Kim Jwajin and was involved in assassination operations in Beijing and Shanghai; Yoo Sudong, the son of Yoo Jindong, who was the personal physician to Kim Gu; and Kim Yeonryeong, the daughter of Kim Dongjin, who served as secretary at the Provisional Government's office.
In particular, Lee Soshim is known as the proposer of the "Promise in Chongqing" and as someone who, in the early 1990s, worked to preserve the Provisional Government building by appealing to both the Korean and Chinese governments when the site was threatened by apartment development during Chongqing's urban reform. Among the third-generation descendants is Yoo Hwa, the grandson of the renowned independence activist Yoo Kisuk, who was part of the delegation. Lee Jeonghee, the great-grandson of General Choi Jindong (Choi Myeongrok), who, alongside General Hong Beomdo, led the victory at the Battle of Bongo-dong during the Japanese colonial period, and Do Youngmu, a pianist and grandson of independence activist Kim Seongsuk and anti-Japanese women's activist Du Gunhye, also visited Seoul.
After paying their respects at the National Cemetery on the morning of the 13th, the descendants visited the Dosan Ahn Changho Memorial Hall and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, honoring the patriots and martyrs and retracing the history of the independence movement. On the eve of Liberation Day, August 14, they will have lunch with Mayor Oh and attend the "Seoul Metropolitan Government 80th Anniversary of Liberation Day Celebration" held at the Seoul City Hall multipurpose hall.
Mayor Oh is also personally overseeing support for the families of independence activists. Since official state support is mostly limited to third-generation descendants, the city is providing assistance to fourth-generation and subsequent descendants who have been left out of such support. Since 2020, for the first time among local governments nationwide, Seoul has awarded scholarships to great-grandchildren and younger descendants of independence activists. The cumulative number of recipients has reached 660 as of this year. Mayor Oh has also directed efforts to identify independence activists from Seoul who dedicated themselves to the cause but have not received appropriate recognition. The city plans to identify a total of 500 such individuals and apply for official commendations from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
Improvements to the system are also being made to reduce blind spots in the recognition and support of bereaved families. The "Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Recognition and Support of Independence Activists" has been amended. Previously, only independence activists themselves, their primary heirs, and their spouses were eligible for medical expense support. Now, the spouses of deceased primary heirs are also eligible. This measure ensures that the honor accorded to the dedication of independence activists is fully extended to surviving family members.
Measures to strengthen support for other individuals who served the nation are also being implemented. In 2022, the "Veterans Honor Allowance" for surviving patriots was increased from 200,000 won to 1 million won per month. In 2023, the "Living Assistance Allowance" for national merit recipients and their primary heirs who are basic livelihood security or near-poverty recipients was raised from 100,000 won to 200,000 won per month. Last year, the "Participation Honor Allowance" was increased from 100,000 won to 150,000 won per month. This year, the "Veterans Recognition Allowance" was raised from 100,000 won to 150,000 won per month, and the "Participation Honor Allowance" for veterans aged 80 and above was increased from 150,000 won to 200,000 won per month.
The scope of the "Funeral Honor Service," which supports those who dedicated their lives to the nation in their final moments, has also been expanded. Previously, due to budget and manpower constraints, only about 40% of service requests could be supported. However, through a supplementary budget this year, the related budget was doubled, expanding support to 80% of requests. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has allocated over 100 billion won for more than 100,000 national merit recipients and their families.
Mayor Oh stated, "It is thanks to the dedication of our forebears to the nation that today's Republic of Korea and Seoul exist," adding, "We will continue to honor the noble spirit of independence activists and further enhance the recognition and support for both the activists and their descendants."
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon met with descendants of independence activists on July 28 last year at the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea building located in Chongqing, China. Seoul City
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