23 descendants of independence fighters from China, Russia granted South Korean citizenship

Twenty-three descendants of Korean independence fighters were granted South Korean citizenship ahead of Liberation Day on Saturday.

The Ministry of Justice held a citizenship certificate ceremony Thursday at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, awarding certificates to 23 people from five countries, including China and Russia.

The event marked the 81st anniversary of liberation, honoring the sacrifices of those who fought for independence and celebrating the descendants' new start as South Korean citizens.

Of those who received citizenship, 12 were from China, five from Russia, three from Kazakhstan, two from Uzbekistan and one from Cuba.

Among the recipients were descendants of Kim Gyeong-cheon, an instructor at Sinheung Military Academy who trained independence fighters and led armed resistance against Japanese rule, and of Shin Suk, who helped proofread, print and distribute the Declaration of Independence during the March 1st Movement. A descendant of Kwon Sang-ik, who promoted the Daejonggyo religion's anti-Japanese missionary work and supported the national independence movement in Manchuria, also received South Korean citizenship.

Kwon Seong-ja, 41, a descendant of Kwon Sang-ik who delivered remarks on behalf of the group, said she considered it a great honor to become a South Korean citizen while keeping in her heart the sacrifices of her independence-fighter ancestors. "As a citizen of South Korea, I will respect liberal democracy and the rule of law, and carry on the patriotic spirit of my forebears," she said.

About 130 people attended the ceremony, including Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-man, a great-grandson of independence leader Kim Gu, and Lee Je-bok, director of the veterans' welfare policy bureau at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans, along with family members of the recipients.

The Ministry of Justice's Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters has awarded citizenship certificates to a total of 1,448 people since 2004.

Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said granting South Korean citizenship to descendants of independence fighters is a meaningful act of honoring the spirit of those who gave their lives for the country and continuing the historical bond between their descendants and South Korea. "We will continue to identify descendants of independence fighters and actively support them in obtaining citizenship," he said.