By Kim Minji, Kim Hyelin and Lee Jihae 
Seoul, Cheonan | Aug 15, 2019

 

A celebratory ceremony marking the 74th National Liberation Day on Aug. 15 is held at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, for the first time since 2004. The slogan for this year

A celebratory ceremony marking the 74th National Liberation Day on Aug. 15 is held at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, for the first time since 2004. The slogan for this year’s event was “The light we found again, a road we must brighten together.” Despite the rain, approximately 2,000 visitors attended the event, including former independence fighters. (Hyoja-dong Studio)

 

President Moon Jae-in on Aug. 15 gives the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Jean Jacques Hong Fuan, the son of late Hong Jae-ha, who transferred funds for independence to the Korean Provisional Government. A combined 178 independence fighters received awards at the ceremony. (Hyoja-dong Studio)

President Moon Jae-in on Aug. 15 gives the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Jean Jacques Hong Fuan, the son of late Hong Jae-ha, who transferred funds for independence to the Korean Provisional Government. A combined 178 independence fighters received awards at the ceremony. (Hyoja-dong Studio)

 

President Moon Jae-in on Aug. 15 announces his administration

President Moon Jae-in on Aug. 15 announces his administration’s goal of achieving peace on and reunifying the Korean Peninsula by 2045, which will mark the centenary of national liberation. To fulfill this goal, he stressed the need for Korea’s role as a “bridge nation” connecting nations in East Asia and the importance of inter-Korean economic cooperation to that end. (Cheong Wa Dae)

 

A host of events are held in Seoul on Aug. 15 to celebrate National Liberation Day. Despite the rain, 300 people held a large Taegukgi (national flag) and reenacted the independence march, shouting "Manse (Hurrah)." They also saw the ringing of the Boshingak bell in the city

A host of events are held in Seoul on Aug. 15 to celebrate National Liberation Day. Despite the rain, 300 people held a large Taegukgi (national flag) and reenacted the independence march, shouting “Manse (Hurrah).” They also saw the ringing of the Boshingak bell in the city’s Jongno-gu District to commemorate the holiday. (Kim Minji)

 

The Boshingak bell ringing ceremony on Aug. 15 in Seoul has 14 attendees, including former victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese imperial army and descendants of independence fighters, divided into three groups. Each group rang the bell 11 times. Some passersby stopped when they heard the bell and prayed for peace and prosperity in Korea. (Kim Minji)

The Boshingak bell ringing ceremony on Aug. 15 in Seoul has 14 attendees, including former victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese imperial army and descendants of independence fighters, divided into three groups. Each group rang the bell 11 times. Some passersby stopped when they heard the bell and prayed for peace and prosperity in Korea. (Kim Minji)

 

Despite torrential rain in the afternoon of Aug. 15, more people participated in marches in downtown Seoul. About 2,000 amassed at Seoul Plaza, with some holding photos of forced labor victims of Japanese colonialism, and demanded an apology from Japan. (Kim Minji)

Despite torrential rain in the afternoon of Aug. 15, more people participated in marches in downtown Seoul. About 2,000 amassed at Seoul Plaza, with some holding photos of forced labor victims of Japanese colonialism, and demanded an apology from Japan. (Kim Minji)

 

The final destination of the marchers was "The Statue of Peace," which presents the image of a Korean comfort woman. Both Korean and Japanese attendees put a raincoat on the lone statue. Amid heightened tension between Korea and Japan over historical issues, are the drops on the statue

The final destination of the marchers was “The Statue of Peace,” which presents the image of a Korean comfort woman. Both Korean and Japanese attendees put a raincoat on the lone statue. Amid heightened tension between Korea and Japan over historical issues, are the drops on the statue’s face rain or tears? (Kim Minji)

kimmj7725@korea.kr