Gumi City Rekindles the Spirit of Park Chunghee: 'Modernization DNA of Korea Ignited Again'

108th Anniversary of President Park Chunghee's Birth Celebrated with Cultural Events
Renovation of Presidential Memorial Facilities and Launch of Diverse New Commemorative Projects

On November 14, Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province will hold the '108th Anniversary of President Park Chunghee's Birth' at the Gumi Multipurpose Sports Center under the theme 'The Miracle of Korea, An Eternal Memory.' The event aims to commemorate the president's achievements and honor the spirit and values of patriotism.

'108th Anniversary of President Park Chunghee's Birth' Poster / Provided by Gumi City Hall

Anticipation is high as, during the event, President Park Chunghee will make a surprise appearance using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to deliver a message of hope to the people.

The city has pledged to use the president's 'Can-Do Spirit' as a driving force for Gumi's future growth, continuing innovation across sectors such as industry, culture, and welfare.

As a starting point for inheriting the president's spirit, Gumi City is renovating aging memorial facilities to create a pleasant and modern environment for historical experiences.

The Dome Video Hall at the National Revival Hall within the birthplace is currently undergoing remodeling, scheduled for completion by December. Through the redesign of the dome screen and the production of new video content, the president's messages will be delivered more vividly.

Additionally, the city is improving the environment by repaving the parking lot in front of the birthplace and upgrading entry and exit routes, aiming to enhance visitor convenience and ensure an efficient viewing flow.

Gumi City is also promoting the construction of the second building of the Park Chunghee Presidential History Museum. By expanding insufficient storage and exhibition spaces, the city plans to create an open repository and a donated artifacts exhibition hall, maximizing the preservation and utilization of artifacts. This will establish a historical and cultural space where the president's spirit and national vision can be passed on to future generations.

Every year, Gumi City holds the Park Chunghee Presidential Memorial Ceremony (October 26) and the Birth Anniversary Cultural Event (November 14), and operates special exhibitions at the Park Chunghee Presidential History Museum, providing citizens with diverse cultural experiences.

This year, the city is also promoting a variety of new commemorative projects to inherit the president's patriotic spirit and values. From June to November, the 'Park Chunghee Presidential Leadership Lecture Series' highlighted the president's leadership in various fields, including national defense and industry.

Furthermore, the 'Park Chunghee Presidential Photo Exhibition,' which was previously held only in Gumi, will also take place at the National Assembly Members' Hall in Seoul during the president's birth anniversary week (November 10-14), symbolically connecting the beginning and completion of Korea's development. The exhibition in Gumi will continue from November 15 to 30.

In addition, the city is working to establish the (tentatively named) 'Park Chunghee Birthplace Preservation Foundation' to unify the operation of presidential memorial facilities and projects, enhancing professionalism and efficiency.

Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi, stated, "Gumi City is laying the foundation for future growth by inheriting the spirit of President Park Chunghee, who was the cornerstone of Korea's development, through initiatives such as attracting the Opportunity Development Zone and the Defense Industry Innovation Cluster. Moving forward, we will continue to develop as a romantic city where industry and culture coexist, and ensure that the president's spirit is properly inherited, making Gumi a hometown city where history and the future come together."