Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il: "Dedicate to Improving Quality of Life Through the Light of Ancestors' Liberation"
Yongin Special City held the "81st Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration Ceremony" at the City Hall Ace Hall on the 15th to reflect on the joy of liberation and the value of peace marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation.
Hosted by the Yongin Special City chapter of the Korean Association for the Restoration of Independence Movement (Chapter President Choi Hee-yong), the event was attended by approximately 300 people, including Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il, National Assembly members, party committee chairs, provincial and city council members, descendants of independence merit recipients, and officials from veteran organizations.
The ceremony opened with a screening of "The Light We Reclaimed," a video produced by the Independence Hall of Korea. A commemorative Liberation Day video followed, in which the Yongin chapter of the Korean Association for the Restoration of Independence Movement introduced notable independence activists from Yongin and descendants of independence merit recipients residing in Yongin, moving the participants.
Mayor Lee Sang-il presented commendations to exemplary families of independence merit recipients: Kim Jae-gwon, grandson of patriot Kim Yong-gap; Kim Jun-hui, grandchild of patriot Kim Chi-ok; and Jeon Eun-gi, child of patriot Jeon Eul-saeng.
The mayor expressed respect, stating, "This celebration should not end in a single day, but rather we must deeply engrave in our hearts the light of liberation that our ancestors reclaimed through their own strength, and continue to make efforts for all 365 days of the year. I express gratitude to the Korean Association for the Restoration of Independence Movement and officials of veteran organizations who worked to hold this 81st Anniversary Liberation Day Celebration, and I also extend my appreciation to the descendants and bereaved families of independence merit recipients who participated in this event."
Chapter President Choi said, "I am delighted to share with citizens the joy of liberation achieved by independence activists 81 years ago. It is the responsibility of our descendants to remember that we must never lose national sovereignty to foreign powers again and to continue their legacy and determination."
In the commemorative Liberation Day video that followed, the Yongin chapter of the Korean Association for the Restoration of Independence Movement introduced notable independence activists from Yongin and descendants of independence merit recipients residing in Yongin, moving the participants.
As congratulatory performances, Professor Lee Sang-ho (tenor), a vocalist, sang the aria "Nessun Dorma" (Let No One Sleep) from the opera "Turandot," reminding attendees of the firm resolve of independence activists. Professor Kim Hee-jung (soprano), another vocalist, performed the famous aria "Ah! Je veux vivre" (Live to sing, live to love) from "Romeo and Juliet," offering a bright and beautiful melody. Finally, the two vocalists performed a duet of the Italian song "O sole mio" (O My Sun), singing of the joy of liberation returned in brilliant light.