Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon announced that, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day this year, the province has fully secured two pieces of calligraphy by independence activist Ahn Junggeun, which are considered to be of "national treasure" value, and will establish the "Ahn Junggeun Peace Center" at Imjingak in Paju.
At the Liberation Day celebration held at the Grand Theater of the Gyeonggi Arts Center in Suwon on the 15th, Governor Kim stated, "In recent years, there have been moments when it felt as if history was moving backward, but on the 80th anniversary of Liberation, Gyeonggi Province has embarked on a journey to firmly establish the roots of our history and fully revive the spirit of independence." He added, "One of the milestones of this journey is the two pieces of calligraphy left by Ahn Junggeun: 'Independence' and 'Jangtanilseong Seonjoilbon.'"
He continued, "We have been working together with the Gyeonggi branch of the Liberation Association to secure these works, which have been in Japan. As a result, we have brought 'Jangtanilseong Seonjoilbon' back to Korea, and 'Independence' will also be returned to its homeland." He pledged, "We will do our utmost to fully secure these works, welcoming the return of a great spirit that rightfully belongs to the Republic of Korea."
He went on to say, "We will establish the 'Ahn Junggeun Peace Center' at Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri in Paju, the closest point to Ahn Junggeun's hometown of Haeju. The secured calligraphy will be exhibited at the center, so that all citizens can honor the 'spirit of independence' written in blood, and we will faithfully carry on Ahn Junggeun's ideals and philosophy, including his theory of East Asian peace."
Governor Kim also introduced Gyeonggi Province as the "No. 1 partner of the Lee Jaemyung People's Sovereignty Government," outlining three key areas where the province will fully demonstrate its vision and accumulated capabilities: achieving development in northern Gyeonggi, which has long suffered under overlapping regulations; serving as a reliable "pillar" and "priming water" for people's livelihoods and the economy; and implementing and expanding innovative policies to improve quality of life.
Regarding the development of northern Gyeonggi, Governor Kim said, "In line with the government's principle of 'special compensation for special sacrifices,' we will prepare for the development of returned U.S. military bases, reflecting the demands of local residents and the characteristics of the region." He emphasized, "The development of northern Gyeonggi goes beyond simple regional development; it will address the imbalance in the Seoul metropolitan area and provide a new growth engine for Korea."
On the topic of the people's economy, he mentioned the "export breakwater" to counter U.S.-imposed tariff pressures, the "100 trillion won investment attraction" initiative to create jobs and future industries, and the "climate economy" to lead Korea's economic transformation. He stated, "Gyeonggi Province will stand at the forefront of this journey for Korea's sustainable growth."
As innovative policies, Governor Kim presented "Opportunity Income," "The Gyeonggi Pass," the "4.5-Day Workweek Pilot Project," "360-Degree Care," and the "Caregiving SOS Project." He said, "Gyeonggi Province has brought about changes that improve the lives of each and every resident," and pledged, "We will move forward unwaveringly toward the 100th anniversary of Liberation, hand in hand with all 14.2 million residents of Gyeonggi Province."
About 1,000 people attended the celebration, including descendants of independence activists and members of the local community. Seven descendants of independence activists currently residing in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China also participated.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province drew attention by presenting the final figures of its "80 Independence Activists" project, which aims to shed new light on the noble lives and spirits of independence fighters. The stories of Governor Jeong Hyunsook and her two daughters, Oh Heeyoung and Oh Heeok, were presented in the form of an original musical.
Jeong Hyunsook, Oh Heeyoung, and Oh Heeok are a family of three generations of women who devoted themselves to the independence movement for the restoration of their country.
Jeong Hyunsook, born in 1900 in Idong-myeon, Yongin, went into exile in Manchuria with her husband, independence activist Oh Gwangseon. Despite the harsh conditions of a lost nation, she cultivated barren land, farmed, raised livestock, and devoted herself to supporting independence fighters, earning her the nickname "Mother of Manchuria." After the formation of the Korean Revolutionary Women's League in 1941, she became a member and, in 1944, joined the Korean Independence Party, participating in the activities of the Provisional Government until liberation.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim is shouting "Long live Korean independence" together with attendees at the Liberation Day celebration on the 15th. Photo by Gyeonggi Province
Oh Heeyoung, the eldest daughter of independence activist Jeong Hyunsook, joined the Korean Liberation Front Youth Corps in 1939 and actively participated in propaganda activities. She later enlisted in the Korean Liberation Army, boosting the morale of independence fighters and playing a key role in recruiting new members. She subsequently moved to the Provisional Government in Chongqing, where she worked as a secretary and propaganda officer in the office of President Kim Gu in 1944.
The 80th hero, Oh Heeok, followed her older sister Oh Heeyoung and joined the Korean Liberation Front Youth Corps at the age of 13, engaging in intelligence gathering and propaganda activities against the Japanese military. She also played a significant role in recruiting independence fighters as a member of the Korean Liberation Army and the Korean Independence Party. After liberation, Oh Heeok returned to Korea and began teaching at Wonsam Elementary School in Yongin, where she worked to instill the spirit of independence in her students, including organizing visits to the National Cemetery.
Even after her retirement, she actively engaged with academia and civic groups, raising awareness of the value of the independence movement. Oh Heeok, who was the last surviving female independence activist in Korea, passed away on November 17, 2024, on Patriots and Veterans Day, at the age of 98.
Previously, Gyeonggi Province launched the "80 Independence Activists" project by introducing Cho Soang as the first figure on March 1st, and has selected 80 independence heroes from various fields in Gyeonggi Province, widely publicizing their noble lives and spirits through webtoons, reenactment documentaries, and more.
Short-form videos on independence activists have been produced and posted on the official YouTube channel of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government. In addition, streetlamp banners featuring individual photos, birthplaces, and achievements of the 80 activists have been displayed along the pedestrian paths near Gwanggyo Jungang Station and the Gyeonggi Arts Center until August 18. Afterwards, an academic conference will be held to review the significance and achievements of the "80 Independence Activists" project.
The celebration began with a performance by the 60-member Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and a media dance performance combining contemporary and Korean traditional dance. Descendants of independence activists from Korea and abroad entered together for the national ceremony, and a special video marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation, titled "The Light We Have Regained, Proper and Upright," was screened.
The final stage featured a joint performance by the "Smiling Child" musical troupe and the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, with photos and videos of all 80 independence activists displayed on a large screen to commemorate the meaning of Liberation.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
