Late independence activists Kim Ki-ju (L) and Han Ung-kyu are seen in this composite photo provided by the veterans ministry on April 4, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea plans to repatriate the remains of two independence activists laid to rest in Brazil next year on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, the veterans ministry said Thursday.
The remains of Kim Ki-ju and Han Ung-kyu — members of the Korean Liberation Army that fought against Japan’s brutal occupation of the Korean Peninsula — will return home to honor their service to the country, according to the ministry.
The ministry said the two independence fighters joined the Liberation Army after escaping from the Japanese military, where they had been forcibly conscripted. Han was tasked with intelligence operations and recruiting Korean soldiers working in the Japanese army.
After liberation, Kim studied at the Korea Military Academy and took part in fierce battles during the 1950-53 Korean War. He received the Chungmu Order of Military Merit for his service in the war.
Kim and Han immigrated to Brazil in 1971 and 1972, respectively, and the former died in 2013 and the latter in 2003.
The ministry said its officials visited Brazil last month to confirm their families’ willingness to repatriate their remains.
They also visited Argentina to inspect the grave of Chang Duk-ky, another member of the Liberation Army. It plans to maintain Chang’s grave in cooperation with the Korean Veterans Association in Argentina at the wishes of his family.
The officials also visited the United States to inspect the gravesites of three independence activists — Kim Jae-eun, Won Dae-sung and Jung Sung-jang — and informed the families of Kim and Jung on repatriation procedures.
Since the early 1990s, the ministry has identified 346 gravesites in 18 countries, including the United States, China and Russia, and has repatriated the remains of 148 independence activists from nine countries.
(Yonhap)
