| Identify and Award prizes to 313 Independence Patriots | |
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- At the commemorative ceremony that marks the 61st anniversary of Korea`s National Liberation... celebrations held across the nation - President Roh said, "let us make a leap toward a new future based on national unity." On Aug. 15th, marking 61st anniversary of National Liberation, many commemorative events were held by governmental and private organizations in Seoul and throughout the nation. In the morning of that day, the Central Celebration Ceremony was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul. With the participation of 3,000 persons including President Roh and First Lady, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister, Independence patriots and bereaved families, party leaders, representatives from all walks of life, and citizens, the ceremony was held for about an hour, began by paying tribute to the lofty spirit of the patriotic ancestors who sacrificed themselves for the nation. In his address, President Roh laid emphasis on "national unity and prosperity of the future," "stability and peace of the Korean people," and "overcoming the nation`s division and establishing peace in the Northeast Asia." In particular, President Roh asserted that "We have to exert our best efforts to heal the wounds inflicted by the history of division and confrontation of bygone days and to prepare a new future of the country in which the nation and the people are unified as one." He stressed that, "At a minimum, values of democracy and human rights should be recognized and those who have violated these values in the past should genuinely reflect on themselves and offer an apology. On the other hand, let us leave it to history making a judgment on controversies over legitimacy or qualifications, which are rooted in the quirks of history. In this way, let us accomplish a feat of genuine forgiveness and reconciliation and move forward together into a bright future." President Roh added that, "The only way to bring together the people`s opinions as one is to practice democracy properly," saying that, "The core of democratic principles consists in relativism and tolerance. Another principle is respect for the rules. People are expected to reach a consensus through dialogue and compromise. Even when they cannot reach an agreement, they are expected to come to a conclusion according to the rules and comply with the outcome." And he also claimed that, "Before amending its Constitution, Japan should reflect upon its past actions, act on its previous apologies," and continued, "Japan should prove in a clear manner that it has no intention of repeating them." He also said that, "Most of all, we need to manage wisely the reality of national division," and "We should be thoroughly prepared with a reliable deterrent and, at the same time, try to persuade North Korea with tolerance and patience while encouraging them to take the road to peace and prosperity." Meanwhile, to mark Korea`s 61st Liberation Day, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs awarded prizes to 313 patriotic martyrs and independence movement activists including the late Young Park, armed struggler in the Manchria and Noryung region; the late Ji-hyung Go, who was arrested while carrying out the March First Independence Movement in Pyungnam province, and laid down his life for the nation in prison; the late Jae-woo Lee, anti-Japan fighter; and Hyo-jung Lee, the oldest survivor and female independence fighter. The awarded meritorious persons for the Korean independence include 145 winners of Order of Merit for National Foundation (3 Independent Medals, 43 Patriotic Medals, and 99 National Medals), 47 winners of National Foundation Medal, 121 winners of the President`s commendation for the national foundation, among whom 2 survivors and 2 women are included. Their medals were handed down to the awardees themselves or their bereaved family members at the National Liberation Day Central Celebration Ceremony and celebrations hosted by local governments. The recipients and their bereaved families residing abroad were awarded the decorations through the Korean embassies, and the government keeps medals of those whose bereaved family members were unfound. Among 313 recipients who were awarded in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of National Liberation, 232 were decorated by the government`s efforts to find out forgotten patriotic martyrs. The MPVA plans to award medals to a total of 500 persons by the Patriotic Martyrs Day. The winners were selected after being verified by the `National Archives & Record Service Team` based on the analysis of about 1,000 cases of application for the merit reward. Until now a total of 10,469 decorations were awarded to those who made great contributions to the national independence, including 30 Republic of Korea Medals, 93 Presidential Medals, 791 Independent Medal, 3,304 Patrioti |
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| date | 2006-11-08 |
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