Lee visits independence activist Lee Tae-jun's memorial in Mongolia: 'Will carry on his spirit into a golden era'

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to Mongolia, paid his respects Friday (local time) at the memorial grave of independence activist Lee Tae-jun and toured the memorial hall dedicated to him in Ulaanbaatar.

The visit marks the first time a South Korean president has visited the Lee Tae-jun Memorial Hall in Mongolia in 15 years, since former President Lee Myung-bak's trip in August 2011.

The memorial hall was established to honor Lee Tae-jun's contributions to Korea's independence movement and to the development of modern medicine in Mongolia.

About 20 people joined the visit, including the foreign affairs minister, the patriots and veterans minister, and Jo Yun-gyeong, chairperson of the Korean Association in Mongolia.

President Lee laid flowers and paid his respects at the memorial grave before moving to the exhibition hall.

Browsing through photographic materials, Lee showed keen interest in learning that Lee Tae-jun had held deep admiration for independence leader Ahn Chang-ho and that he was a cousin-in-law of independence activist Kim Gyu-sik.

Lee also examined medical textbooks Lee Tae-jun used while studying at Severance Medical School, asking whether they were the actual books he had used.

After completing his tour, Lee wrote in the guest book: "I will carry on the noble spirit of independence martyr Lee Tae-jun into a golden era of Korea-Mongolia relations."

Before entering the exhibition hall, Lee was told that the Mongolian proverb inscribed at its entrance — "Сэтгэл байвал арга олдоно" ("Where there is a will, there is a way") — evoked Lee Tae-jun's resolve to pursue the independence movement from Mongolia.

Lee then learned that Lee Tae-jun's remains have never been recovered, which is why only a memorial grave exists, and that according to Yeo Un-hyeong's travelogue "A Journey Through the Mongolian Desert," the site near the Zaisan Memorial is believed to be where his body was laid to rest shortly after his death. Upon hearing this, Lee immediately proposed moving to the Zaisan Memorial.

The hillside of Zaisan Mountain, where the Zaisan Memorial and Victory Monument stand, is believed to be the burial site of Lee Tae-jun, who died for his country in 1921. It is one of Ulaanbaatar's most popular landmarks, frequented by Mongolian residents and foreign tourists alike.

At the top of the Zaisan Memorial, Lee surveyed the Ulaanbaatar cityscape and asked whether there was a noticeable difference between forested and unforested areas, and between developed and undeveloped zones. The Mongolian ambassador to South Korea and the South Korean ambassador to Mongolia explained that many residents still live in traditional ger dwellings on the lower slopes of the hills.

Lee also asked about the progress of Mongolia's plan to build a second capital city, and showed strong interest upon learning that the project is being modeled on Sejong.