• On Thursday, the 17th at 4 PM, Seoul National Cemetery will hold its first-ever joint memorial enshrinement for seven overseas independence patriots. • The memorial tablets of seven independence patriots, including Kim Kyung-chun, who sacrificed their lives in Russia and Kazakhstan, will be enshrined. • Minister Kang Jung-ai, families of the patriots, members of the Heritage of Korean Independence (Gwangbokhoe), and Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans in Central Asia) living in Korea will attend.

• Commemoration ceremony to be held at 2 PM on Thursday, the 3rd, at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul with over 300 attendees • Includes commemorative performances, exhibitions and experiences highlighting the achievements of the Dokdo Volunteer Defense Force, along with various side events such as games and quizzes

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (Minister Kang Jung-ai) announced that Senior Inspector Nam Je-pyeong (then Inspector), who played a crucial role in the Amnok Battle on July 29, 1950, in Gokseong County, Jeollanam-do, will be honored as the "Korean War Hero of October 2024." His outstanding intelligence skills and ambush tactics led to a decisive victory against North Korean forces. Nam Je-pyeong was born on October 25, 1918, in Eumseong County, Chungcheongbuk-do, and was appointed as an inspector on November 15, 1948. After the outbreak of the Korean War, the Gokseong region was occupied by North Korean forces within a month. Despite the dire circumstances, Nam, serving as an intelligence officer at Gokseong Police Station, along with 300 officers, vowed to defend the area. They relocated their command post to Taeansa Temple to organize their defense. On July 29, 1950, Nam Je-pyeong received intelligence that North Korean forces were planning to cross the Amnok Bridge in Gokseong on their way from Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, to Namwon, Jeollabuk-do. He led an ambush operation that resulted in a successful surprise attack on the enemy. After four hours of intense fighting, the police killed 52 enemy soldiers, captured 3, and seized over 70 pieces of equipment, including 4 trucks. This operation significantly delayed the North Korean army’s movements, aiding South Korean defensive efforts. In retaliation for their losses at the Amnok Battle, the North Korean forces surrounded and attacked the police headquarters at Taeansa Temple on August 6. Despite being heavily outnumbered by a regiment-sized enemy, Nam Je-pyeong and 47 police officers fought to the end, dying heroically in their defense of the country. Page 2 / 2 In recognition of his bravery, the South Korean government posthumously promoted Nam to the rank of senior inspector in December 1950. In 1985, the Jeollanam-do Police Department erected the Police Memorial Tower in Gokseong’s Jugok-myeon to honor the 48 police officers who died in the battle at Taeansa Temple. The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency also holds an annual memorial service at the Police Memorial Tower in early August to commemorate their sacrifice.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (Minister Kang Jung-ai) announced that Lim Cheon-taek, Seo Byeong-hak, and Park Chang-woon have been selected as the "Independence Activists of October 2024." These activists led independence movements in Latin America, particularly in Cuba and Mexico. In 1905, over 1,000 Koreans arrived in Mexico, marking the first Korean immigration to the country. After working for four years on henequen plantations, these immigrants actively participated in Korean-American organizations and nationalist education, contributing to Korea’s independence movement. Lim Cheon-taek (1903) moved to Mexico with his mother and later relocated to Cuba at the age of 18. He was involved in various Korean organizations such as the Korean National Association's Matanzas branch, the Union of Koreans in Cuba, and the Korean Patriotic Society in Cuba. He also served as the principal of Minseong Korean School and Jinsung School, dedicating himself to nationalist education. Lim raised funds to support the Korean Liberation Army and engaged with intellectuals in Korea to spread national consciousness. Seo Byeong-hak (1885) worked for four years on a henequen plantation in Mexico before moving to Cuba in 1921. He was active in several Korean organizations, including the Merida, Ohakgina, Matanzas, and Havana branches of the Korean National Association. Seo worked as a teacher at Minseong Korean School and Havana Korean School, striving to instill a sense of identity and nationalism among Korean immigrants. He also supported the independence movement by consistently raising funds for the Korean Liberation Army. Park Chang-woon (1889) also labored on a henequen plantation in Mexico before relocating to Cuba in 1921. He was active in Korean organizations such as the Merida and Matanzas branches of the Korean National Association and the Korean Patriotic Society in the Americas. Park supported Haedong School financially and served as the principal of Minseong Korean School, focusing on the education of Korean youth. He also contributed to relief funds for flood victims, famine relief, and independence. Despite the difficult circumstances, these three independence activists in Latin America worked together through the Korean National Association, dedicating their lives to protecting Korean interests and advancing the independence movement. To honor their contributions, the government awarded Lim Cheon-taek the Patrotic Medal (Order of Merit for National Foundation), and Seo Byeong-hak and Park Chang-woon the National Medal (Order of Merit for National Foundation).