Korean Embassy Marks 79th Liberation Day on 15th August with a Grand Commemoration at KCCI, New Delhi
Ambassador Chang Jae Bok led a heartfelt ceremony honoring Korea’s independence, uniting the Korean community across India in celebration and remembrance.
NEW DELHI: On August 15, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi hosted the 79th Liberation Day celebration at the Korean Cultural Centre . The event was a significant occasion, attended by over 80 leading Korean expatriates, including representatives of Korean community organizations and business leaders from across India. They came together to commemorate the day Korea gained independence from Japanese colonial rule on 15th August, 1945 – the same day when India clinched freedom from the colonial rule of Britishers two years later in 1947.
The ceremony began with Seo Yong-hyuk, secretary of the Youth’s Council, formally opening the Liberation Day event. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of pride as attendees prepared to partake in the solemn proceedings.
Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, who led the commemoration, delivered a speech emphasizing the special bond between Korea and India, noting how both nations celebrate their independence on the same date. He expressed his pleasure in celebrating this meaningful occasion with the Korean community in India, highlighting the importance of unity and shared history.
The event continued with the national ritual, where all distinguished guests stood in unison, facing the podium where the proud Taegeukgi, the South Korean national flag, was displayed. As the music began, the audience joined in the chorus, offering a salute to the flag, followed by a solemn pledge of loyalty to the Republic of Korea.
The strains of the Korean national anthem then filled the air, with the first verse sung in unison by the gathered crowd, creating a poignant moment that echoed through the hall. A moment of silence followed, honoring the martyrs and patriots who had sacrificed their lives for Korea’s freedom.
Next, a video of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s congratulatory speech commemorating the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day was screened. The speech, filled with words of hope and unity, served as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Korean people and the importance of remembering the past while looking forward to the future.
The attendees then participated in a unison singing of the Liberation Day song, their voices blending in a harmonious tribute to their homeland. The event reached its climax with the “Three Cheers for Independence,” by Park Euy don, president of the Federation of Korean Associations in India, Kang Ho-bong, President Delhi Korean Association, and Lee Gwang-il, Chairman of the Advisory Council for Democratic and Peaceful Unification,. The entire assembly including newly formed Korean Sports Association in India officebearers joined in, their powerful chants of “Long Live Korean Independence” reverberating through the hall, expressing national pride and a testament to Korea’s enduring legacy.
The commemoration of the 79th National Liberation Day at the Korean Cultural Centre was more than just a ceremony. It was a celebration of Korea’s resilience, a remembrance of the sacrifices made by those who fought for independence, and a reaffirmation of the special bond between Korea and India. As the event concluded, the sense of solidarity and shared history lingered, a powerful reminder of the enduring ties that unite the Korean people across the globe.
