The South Jeolla-Gwangju Liberation Day ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju.
The event marks the first national commemorative ceremony since the launch of the South Jeolla-Gwangju integrated special city, bringing together residents to reflect on the meaning of liberation, honor the sacrifices of independence fighters and celebrate the significance of the newly unified city.
About 600 people are expected to attend, including Mayor Min Hyeong-bae, City Council Speaker Song Hyeong-gon, Education Superintendent Kim Dae-jung, Korean Liberation Association Gwangju chapter head Ko Uk, South Jeolla chapter head Song In-jeong, association members and families of independence merit holders.
The ceremony will proceed in the following order: an opening video, the national salute, a welcoming address, a commemorative address, awards for independence merit holders, a congratulatory address, a performance, a group singing of the Liberation Day song and three cheers of "Manse."
The opening video, themed "The History of Liberation, the Future of South Jeolla-Gwangju," is structured in four chapters — liberation, democracy, a united South Jeolla-Gwangju and the region's future. It conveys how the sacrifices of independence fighters connect to today's Republic of Korea and the newly unified South Jeolla-Gwangju.
The Suncheon City Boys and Girls Choir will perform, delivering a message of hope that the spirit of the independence movement and the joy of liberation live on in the next generation and in a united South Jeolla-Gwangju.
Eleven merit holders will receive awards recognizing their contributions to upholding the spirit of independence and to the development of the nation and local community.
Earlier, at 9 a.m., a memorial service will be held at the Gwangju Independence Movement Memorial Tower inside Sangmu Citizens Park.
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