Lee Jae-jin, speaker of the Gangnam-gu Council, attended the 81st Liberation Day commemoration ceremony at the Eliena Hotel on Wednesday, honoring the sacrifice of patriots and independence fighters who gave their lives for Korea's liberation and expressing gratitude to national merit holders and their families.
Organized by the Gangnam-gu chapter of the Korean Liberation Association, the event was held to reflect on the historical significance of Liberation Day and carry forward the spirit of the independence movement. About 140 people attended, including national merit holders and their families, the district mayor, National Assembly members and heads of veterans' organizations.
The ceremony opened with a pre-event performance by the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, followed by the national ceremony, a commendation for exemplary veterans' welfare recipients, opening remarks, words of encouragement and congratulatory speeches. Attendees joined in a cake cutting, a communal singing of the Liberation Day song and three cheers of "Manse" to celebrate and reflect on the meaning of liberation.
Also in attendance were Song Yeong-gwang, chair of the Economy and City Committee; Oh On-nuri, chair of the Welfare and Culture Committee; and lawmakers Woo Jong-hyeok, Park Dae-yong, Lee Jong-won (District Na), Ko Eun-jin and Bae Geun-hui, who joined in honoring the sacrifices of those who served the nation and shared in the significance of the day.
Oh On-nuri, chair of the Welfare and Culture Committee, said in her congratulatory remarks that "the freedom and prosperity that the Republic of Korea enjoys today was made possible by the noble sacrifice of the patriots who gave everything for the independence of their homeland," adding that the Gangnam-gu Council would spare no administrative or institutional support, nor budget, to ensure that national merit holders and their families receive the respect and recognition they deserve.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
