Daegu marks 81st Liberation Day with ceremony, bell-ringing and concert

Daegu held a ceremony Saturday morning to mark the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, drawing about 500 attendees — including Mayor Choo Kyung-ho, heads of civic organizations, members of the Korean Liberation Association and veterans' group leaders — at Palgong Hall of the Daegu Culture and Arts Center.

The event opened with a performance by the Daegu City Symphony Orchestra, followed by a national salute, a commemorative address, the presentation of awards to independence movement meritees, congratulatory remarks, a celebratory performance, a communal singing of the Liberation Day anthem and three cheers of "manse."

Earlier that morning at 9 a.m., Mayor Choo, Daegu City Council Speaker Lim In-hwan, Education Superintendent Kang Eun-hee and veterans' group leaders gathered at Sinam National Cemetery to pay their respects to patriots who gave their lives for the country.

At noon, Mayor Choo, veterans' group leaders and Korean Liberation Association members gathered at the National Debt Repayment Movement Memorial Park for a bell-ringing ceremony honoring those who devoted themselves to Korea's liberation and praying for a new chapter of growth for Daegu.

At 6:30 p.m., a Liberation Day commemorative concert was held at the Kolon Outdoor Music Theater.

"The liberation we reclaimed 81 years ago is the starting point of freedom and hope that we must all carry forward together," Mayor Choo said. "I hope this becomes a meaningful occasion to engrave the noble spirit of our patriotic forebears in our hearts and, together with our citizens, build a better Daegu through change and growth."