President Lee Visits Shanghai Provisional Government Building: "The Republic of Korea Will Protect the Place Where It Began"

"China Was the Main Stage of Our Independence Movement... Gratitude to the Chinese Government for Preserving the Building for 33 Years"
Request to President Xi Jinping for Interest in Excavating Ahn Jung-geun's Remains... "Setting History Straight Opens the Future"
Great-Grandson of Kim Gu, Assemblyman Kim Yongman of the Democratic Party, Also Attended

President Lee Jaemyung, who is on a state visit to China, attended the "100th Anniversary Ceremony of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai," declaring, "The place where the Republic of Korea began, the Republic of Korea will protect." At the special request of President Lee, Assemblyman Kim Yongman of the Democratic Party of Korea, a great-grandson of Kim Gu, attended the ceremony.

Yonhap News Agency

On January 7 (local time), prior to the ceremony, President Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, visited the Shanghai Provisional Government Memorial Hall, laid flowers at the bust of Kim Gu, listened to an exhibition guide, and toured the interior of the building. In the guestbook, President Lee wrote, "The Republic of Korea will protect this place where it began. 2026.1.7 President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jaemyung." While standing in front of the model of the Shanghai Provisional Government building, he asked, "Was the entire structure one building, and did they use just one room? Was there an original owner of this building, and did they live in just one room?" He then confirmed, "Is it now owned by the city?"

In his commemorative address, President Lee stated, "Nearly half of the historic sites related to the independence movement are in China, making China the main stage for our struggle for independence." He continued, "Among them, Shanghai is where Kim Gu began writing 'Baekbeomilji,' and where Yun Bonggil carried out his heroic deed at Hongkou Park, making this a symbolic place."

President Lee emphasized, "This location, Madang Road, is where the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, established in 1919, stayed for about six years from 1926 to 1932 after moving several times to escape the harsh repression of Japanese colonial rule. Our forebears protected the name 'Republic of Korea' here and never gave up hope for a 'democratic republic.'"

He also mentioned the restoration process of the building. President Lee said, "The Shanghai building was once at risk of demolition, but thanks to the active cooperation of the Chinese government, it was successfully restored in 1993 and has been preserved for 33 years up to the present day. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Chinese government for protecting the building even in difficult circumstances."

"Patriotic Remembrance as Diplomacy... Request to Xi Jinping for the Excavation of Ahn Jung-geun's Remains and Preservation of Historic Sites"

Yonhap News Agency

Additionally, President Lee said, "During overseas trips, I truly feel that 'patriotic remembrance is diplomacy.' When we remember and respect history, trust between nations deepens." He continued, "During this visit to Beijing, I emphasized that the history of Korea's independence movement has become the foundation of today's friendship and cooperation between Korea and China. I also requested President Xi Jinping's continued interest and cooperation for the excavation of Ahn Jung-geun's remains and the preservation of historic sites in China." He added, "Setting history straight is the very path to opening the future together."

President Lee also mentioned that the ideals of the democratic republic proclaimed by the Provisional Government "led to the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratization Movement, the June Democratic Uprising, the Candlelight Revolution, and the Revolution of Light, opening the era of true popular sovereignty." Quoting Kim Gu's words, "What I wish to possess endlessly is the power of a high culture," he said, "From K-pop, K-content, and K-food to K-beauty, Korean culture is captivating the world."

President Lee added, "Today, the descendants of Jeo Boseong, who helped provide a hiding place for Kim Gu, and So Kyunghwa, who successfully led the escort operations for the Liberation Army members, are also here with us. On behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I sincerely thank all those who have devoted themselves to justice and peace, transcending nationality and ethnicity."

Meanwhile, President Lee directly called upon Assemblyman Kim Yongman, the great-grandson of Kim Gu, saying, "I specifically asked you to come. I would like to hear your brief remarks." In his congratulatory speech, Assemblyman Kim mentioned "Korea-China friendship" and the Chinese proverb "When drinking water, remember its source," saying, "With the President's visit to China, I am deeply moved to see that our once distant relationship is being normalized and restored."