Gwangju Veterans Office Selects "12 Great Korean Heroes from Our Hometown"

Monthly Heroes Selected in National Defense, Independence, and Democracy

Poster of the 12 Great Korean Heroes from Our Hometown.

The Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on December 24 that it has selected the "12 Great Korean Heroes from Our Hometown," representing the fields of independence, national defense, and democracy among patriots from Gwangju and South Jeolla Province.

The Gwangju and South Jeolla region has produced many figures who played significant roles in the independence movement, national defense, and the democratization process. The Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs selected 12 representative figures from each field to systematically promote this historical value and to shed new light on the region's patriotic legacy.

The selection process involved a total of 47 candidates. The "Selection Committee for the 12 Great Korean Heroes from Our Hometown," composed of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, the South Jeolla Provincial Office of Education, veterans' organizations, and academic experts from each field, finalized 12 individuals-four each from the fields of independence, national defense, and democracy-after a thorough review.

The committee designated the following as monthly patriotic figures for 2026: ▲ January: Director Kim Jeomgon (national defense) ▲ February: Militia Leader Gi Samyeon (independence) ▲ March: Teacher Yang Hanmuk (independence) ▲ April: Martyr Moon Jaehak (democracy) ▲ May: Martyr Yoon Sangwon (democracy) ▲ June: Sergeant Yeo Bangoh (national defense) ▲ July: Captain Ko Gwangsu (national defense) ▲ August: Militia Leader Ko Gwangsun (independence) ▲ September: Chief Superintendent Han Jeongil (national defense) ▲ October: Martyr Baek Daehwan (democracy) ▲ November: Teacher Lee Gyeongchae (independence) ▲ December: Teacher Song Kisuk (democracy).

The Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated, "The selection of the '12 Great Korean Heroes from Our Hometown' is meaningful not only as an introduction of individuals, but also as an effort to expand the region's patriotic assets into living history through education and daily life," adding, "We plan to promote educational initiatives centered on schools in the Gwangju and South Jeolla region in cooperation with the Offices of Education and related organizations, and to continue patriotic education and promotional activities in conjunction with local media."