Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je stated on August 25 that he aims to connect the meaning of liberation to the local history.
On the occasion of the 81st Liberation Day, Mayor Kim expressed his commitment to creating opportunities for citizens to reflect on the history of the independence movement and the significance of local veterans.
This statement follows the conclusion of a photo exhibition held in the lobby of city hall to commemorate Liberation Day.
Mayor Kim has previously emphasized the importance of actively discovering local veteran resources and promoting a culture of remembrance among citizens and youth, making this 'Liberation Day Photo Exhibition' a natural extension of those efforts.
The exhibition not only highlights the historical significance of Liberation Day but also focuses on introducing the history of the independence movement in Uiwang and its veteran assets to the public.
In collaboration with the Gyeonggi branch of the Korean Liberation Association, the exhibition featured historical photographs related to the liberation, including the training of independence fighters and the establishment of the Korean Liberation Army.
This photo exhibition is significant as it connects the 'history of liberation' to 'Uiwang's history' and brings it back into the daily lives of citizens.
Notably, the Uiwang Youth Foundation's Poil Youth Cultural Center displayed a 'Youth Independence Textbook' produced through a project funded by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, allowing young people to engage with the local history of the independence movement at their level.
The 'Youth Independence Textbook' includes the activities of Uiwang independence activists Lee Hee-seung, Park Seong-sam, Seong Ju-bok, and Lee Bong-geun, as well as local memorial sites such as Uiwang Hangul Park and the Wangsong Lake Independence Memorial.
This exhibition's unique feature is its ability to connect the national history of liberation with the local history of Uiwang, enabling citizens to examine the traces of the independence movement that remain in their surroundings.
The exhibition was set up in the open space of the city hall lobby, allowing any citizen to view it easily.
Importantly, it goes beyond merely displaying historical photographs; it introduces independence activists who worked in Uiwang and actual memorial sites in the area, linking the meaning of liberation to the daily lives of citizens.
Citizens have expressed that this exhibition provided an opportunity to break away from merely commemorating Liberation Day as a specific holiday and to recognize that the history of the independence movement and veterans is embedded in the local people and places they encounter daily.
The inclusion of the Youth Independence Textbook also made the often daunting history of veterans more accessible and relatable.
Mayor Kim stated, "This exhibition will serve as a catalyst for actively discovering local veteran resources and continuing to promote a culture of remembrance that resonates with citizens and youth."
This aligns with Mayor Kim's policy direction of citizen-centered governance, utilizing local resources, and engaging youth in historical education.
By reexamining local figures and places in connection with national commemorative events, this initiative goes beyond a simple commemorative event to represent a policy effort to expand the culture of remembrance in the region.
Mayor Kim added, "In the future, we will continue to actively discover and share local veteran resources, promoting a culture of remembrance that resonates with citizens and youth."
Additionally, Mayor Kim plans to continue uncovering local independence activists and historical resources related to veterans, expanding them into content that can be learned and shared by citizens and youth.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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