Gumi City Honors the Spirit of Independence at Memorial Ceremony for Patriot Park Heegwang

56th Memorial Ceremony for Independence Activist Park Heegwang Held
Over 100 Attendees, Including Family Members, Honor His Noble Sacrifice and Patriotism

On January 22, Gumi City in North Gyeongsang Province held the "56th Memorial Ceremony for the Patriot Park Heegwang" at the Yaeun Hall of the Confucianism History Museum and in front of the statue of Park Heegwang at Geumosan Mountain. The event was organized by the Gumi City Branch of the Liberation Association (headed by Kim Youngsoo).

The ceremony was attended by more than 100 people, including Park Heegwang's family, Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho, Kim Jongsul, Director of the Daegu Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Park Gyosang, Chairman of the Gumi City Council, city and provincial council members, members of veterans’ organizations, and citizens. They honored the noble spirit of sacrifice for the nation and the people.

The memorial ceremony proceeded in the following order: greetings from the bereaved family, a memorial speech, recitation of a dedicatory poem, a tribute performance by a female vocal trio, and a flower offering. In particular, Choi Jaegun, a poet from the Korean Writers’ Association, recited a memorial poem he had written in honor of Park Heegwang, adding special significance to the event.

(Left) Memorial speech by Gumi Mayor Kim Jangho (Right) Group wreath-laying / Provided by Gumi City Hall

Park Heegwang (recipient of the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, 1968) was born in 1901 in Bonggok-dong, now part of Gumi City. He moved to Manchuria as a child, and in 1922 joined the 5th Company of Tonguibu, where he served as a commando to suppress pro-Japanese collaborators.

Later, in 1924, he killed pro-Japanese police informant Jeong Gapju and his son, destroyed the pro-Japanese Choi Jeonggyu family, and raided Geumjeonggwan, a high-end restaurant, to seize military funds. During this operation, he was arrested by Japanese police and spent 19 years in Yosun Prison. In recognition of his contributions, the government awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, in 1968.

In his memorial speech, Mayor Kim Jangho stated, "Even under the oppression of Japanese colonial rule, he dedicated everything for the independence of our nation and the dignity of our people. We will strive to ensure that honoring our patriots becomes a source of pride and hope for our citizens and an important value that brightens Gumi."

Kim Youngsoo, head of the Gumi City Branch of the Liberation Association, who organized the event, said, "I hope this memorial ceremony will be a meaningful occasion to honor the achievements of Park Heegwang, who devoted himself to the liberation of our country, and to reflect on the spirit of patriotism."