Seoul mayor vows to host gathering of freedom fighters' descendants next year during China visit

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that he would host a “meaningful” gathering of the descendants of independence fighters next year during a Sunday visit to the Korean provisional government in Chongqing, China.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, right, shakes hands with a descendant of an independence activist at the provisional government of Korea in Chongqing, Sichuan Province, China, on Sunday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that he would host a “meaningful” gathering of the descendants of independence fighters next year during a Sunday visit to the Korean provisional government in Chongqing, China.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

Oh embarked on a three-leg trip to Paris, Chongqing and Beijing last week, which concludes on Thursday.

While visiting the Korean provisional government, Oh paid silent tribute to the sculpture of independence activist Kim Ku and laid flowers to honor those who fought for Korea’s independence. The visit marked the first time a Seoul mayor visited the Korean provisional government in Chongqing of Sichuan Province.

The Chongqing venue is significant as it was the last provisional government from 1940 to 1945 during Japan’s colonial rule. It houses historical materials such as documents from meetings between Kim Ku and Chiang Kai-shek, the then-president of the Republic of China, and issues of Dongnipsinmun, or The Independent, the first Korean newspaper published in Hangeul in 1896. It was also where the Korean Liberation Army was formed.

After touring the exhibit area, Oh met with three descendants of independence activists, expressing his gratitude for their ancestors' sacrifices and promising support, such as collecting historical materials.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, center, visits the provisional government of Korea in Chongqing, Sichuan Province, China, on Sunday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The city government has increased support for independence fighters in the past few years. In 2022, the monthly allowance for surviving independence activists was raised from 200,000 won ($145) to one million won. The monthly subsidy for patriots or their families who are basic livelihood security recipients was increased from 100,000 won to 200,000 won last year. This year, the allowance for those who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War and the Vietnam War was also raised by 50,000 won to 150,000 won per month.

Following his visit to the provisional government on Sunday, Mayor Oh visited the Chongqing Exhibition Hall, where he was briefed on the city's urban planning and its progress in developing into a transportation hub.

On Monday, Oh is scheduled to meet Chongqing Mayor Hu Henghua to discuss diplomatic relations between the two cities and expanding cooperation in various industries. He will also meet with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong on Tuesday, marking the first high-level meeting between the two capitals in about six years.

Additionally, the mayor is set to visit Beijing’s Future Science Park to gather inspiration for Seoul’s development into a cutting-edge city representing Asia. He is also expected to hold talks with Korean companies operating in Beijing to hear about their struggles to survive in the overseas city.

Last week, Oh traveled to Paris to attend the Mayors' Summit for Climate Action and present Seoul’s achievements in countering the climate crisis. He also participated in a meeting of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, where Seoul serves as a vice-chair city.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]