President Yoon Suk Yeol met Wednesday with descendants of those who fought for the country's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule to honor their sacrifices on the eve of Liberation Day. Yoon hosted a luncheon for about 100 descendants in recognition of the contributions of independence fighters and their families as the country is set to commemorate the 79th Liberation Day on Thursday. During the event, Yoon gave thanks for the sacrifices and dedications of the independence heroes, pledging to uphold their legacy in building a country that is "free, peaceful and prosperous." He also emphasized the importance of remembering the spirit of independence heroes and paying due respect to them and their descendants. The lunch came as the country's largest association of independence fighters and their descendants vowed to boycott this year's government-organized Liberation Day ceremony in protest of Yoon's appointment of a figure accused of holding pro-Japanese views as president of the Independence Hall of Korea. Kim Hyoung-suk's past remarks that South Korea came into being when its government was established in 1948 led to suspicions his appointment was a precursor to designating Aug. 15, 1948, as national foundation day, despite the government's repeated denials. The question of when South Korea came into being has long been a subject of ideological debate, with many arguing it was April 11, 1919, when a provisional government was established during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Lee Jong-chan, the head of the Heritage of Korean Independence, has said he will not attend the government's ceremony unless Kim's appointment is withdrawn, the first such move since the state-funded association was established in 1965. Instead, the organization plans to host a separate ceremony. The main opposition Democratic Party has also vowed to boycott the Liberation Day ceremony in protest of Kim's appointment. Source: Yonhap News Agency

President Yoon Suk Yeol met Wednesday with descendants of those who fought for the country's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule to honor their sacrifices on the eve of Liberation Day. Yoon hosted a luncheon for about 100 descendants in recognition of the contributions of independence fighters and their families as the country is set to commemorate the 79th Liberation Day on Thursday. During the event, Yoon gave thanks for the sacrifices and dedications of the independence heroes, pledging to uphold their legacy in building a country that is "free, peaceful and prosperous." He also emphasized the importance of remembering the spirit of independence heroes and paying due respect to them and their descendants. The lunch came as the country's largest association of independence fighters and their descendants vowed to boycott this year's government-organized Liberation Day ceremony in protest of Yoon's appointment of a figure accused of holding pro-Japanese views as president of the Independence Hall of Korea. Kim Hyoung-suk's past remarks that South Korea came into being when its government was established in 1948 led to suspicions his appointment was a precursor to designating Aug. 15, 1948, as national foundation day, despite the government's repeated denials. The question of when South Korea came into being has long been a subject of ideological debate, with many arguing it was April 11, 1919, when a provisional government was established during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Lee Jong-chan, the head of the Heritage of Korean Independence, has said he will not attend the government's ceremony unless Kim's appointment is withdrawn, the first such move since the state-funded association was established in 1965. Instead, the organization plans to host a separate ceremony. The main opposition Democratic Party has also vowed to boycott the Liberation Day ceremony in protest of Kim's appointment. Source: Yonhap News Agency