Governor Kim Yung-rok: "Ushering in a Golden Era for Jeollanam-do with the New Government"
On August 15, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, Jeollanam-do held a commemorative ceremony at the Kim Daejung Auditorium in the provincial government building under the theme "Shining Steps with the People, A New Path."
More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including Kim Yung-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, descendants of patriots, members of the Liberation Association, heads of institutions and organizations, and local residents who registered in advance. They reflected on the meaning of liberation and honored the noble spirit of the patriots who devoted themselves to the nation.
The event began with awards for independence activists, followed by commemorative speeches, congratulatory remarks, a commemorative performance, singing of the Liberation Day song, and a three cheers for the nation.
Governor Kim stated, "This year's Liberation Day is more special and moving than ever, as the light of liberation regained 80 years ago meets the light of the constitutional order we protected together last winter and spring." He added, "With the conviction that the foundation of national strength lies in the power of the regions, we will work with the new government to usher in a golden era for Jeollanam-do."
He went on to emphasize, "We will attract global AI high-tech companies through the RE100 industrial complex and next-generation power grid construction, and transform the southwestern region into an energy innovation growth belt with a population of 500,000. In addition, we will open a new era for Jeollanam-do by pursuing the establishment of a second space center, developing Yeosu and Gwangyang Ports as key hubs for the Arctic route, establishing a national medical school at an integrated university, and achieving 100 million annual tourists."
During the awards for independence activists, the late Byun In-ok (represented by descendant Byun Soon-ja), who led tenant farmer disputes as a member of the Dochomyeon Tenant Farmers' Association in 1925, and the late Park Jung-soo (represented by descendant Park Jun-geol), who participated in a rent strike against the exploitation of Japanese landlords in Haimyeon in 1928 and was imprisoned, both received the Presidential Citation.
Additionally, Kim Jae-kwon, Kim Jin-won, and Park Soon-hee, members of the Liberation Association who contributed to the establishment of a proper culture of honoring patriots, received the Governor’s Award.
In particular, the commemorative musical performance "Let Us Not Forget, Today," a collaboration by six Jeollanam-do arts organizations, delivered a deep impression by artistically depicting the spirit and resilience of Jeollanam-do people-from the righteous army's resistance against Japanese oppression, through liberation, the 5·18 Democratization Movement, and the recent overcoming of the martial law crisis.
As side events, a special exhibition previewing the Namdo Uibyeong History Museum, which is scheduled to officially open early next year, was held at Yoon Seondo Hall (1st floor lobby) of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Government. There were also calligraphy fan-making and photo zone experiences, further highlighting the historical significance of the 80th anniversary of liberation.
Jeollanam-do became the first metropolitan government in the country to launch a project to identify unrecognized independence activists, and in April last year, applied for state honors for 1,023 individuals to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The province also succeeded in attracting the National Jangheung Memorial Cemetery, a long-held wish of local national patriots, and plans to compile the history of Jeollanam-do's independence movement by 2027 to further elevate its status as the "No. 1 Home of Patriots in Korea."
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