IWPG Paju Branch Honors Spirit of Liberation at Taegukgi Village

On August 20, 2025, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Paju Branch, led by Branch Director Choi Jae-sun, held its August World Women’s Peace Network regular gathering at Taegukgi Village in Ballang-ri, Gwangtan-myeon, Paju. The meeting carried the theme “Carrying Forward the Spirit of Liberation Through Peace.”

Remembering Liberation and Peace

More than ten members and local citizens attended the gathering, which featured a special lecture by Nam Sang-cheol, nephew of independence activist Nam Dong-min and president of the Independence Patriots Memorial Association. He delivered a heartfelt 20-minute talk on the “Meaning of Liberation and the Tasks of Peace,” reminding participants that the freedoms enjoyed today were built on the sacrifices of countless patriots.

The program also included:

• Poetry recitations by poet Gong Seok-jin, including “Ah! Harbin – Remembering Ahn Jung-geun”

• A Liberation Day quiz

• Writing postcards with personal wishes for peace, later shared in front of the village’s independence monument

These activities gave participants the opportunity to reflect on Korea’s past struggles and connect them to today’s efforts for peace.

The Story of Taegukgi Village

Nam Sang-cheol also shared the history of Taegukgi Village, which he named and helped establish.

• In 2012, Ballang-ri was designated as Taegukgi Village.

• In 2016, Paju Independence Gwangtan Park was created, with 365 households raising the national flag every day of the year.

• In 2021, the March 1st Independence Movement Monument was erected to honor nine patriots from the region who led the Ballang-ri Manse Movement.

He emphasized that the village is a living tribute to Korea’s independence movement and a reminder of the ongoing responsibility to preserve peace.

Carrying the Spirit Forward

Poet Gong Seok-jin, after his recitation, expressed gratitude for being part of such a meaningful gathering:

“We live comfortably today thanks to the sacrifices of countless independence activists. I felt moved to write a poem about Taegukgi Village and gift it as a token of remembrance.”

Branch Director Choi Jae-sun concluded:

“Today’s peace stands upon the sacrifices of so many. Now it is our turn to protect peace for future generations. This gathering will be the beginning of more peace activities in our local community.”

IWPG’s Global Mission

IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC). Guided by the vision of leaving peace as a legacy for future generations, IWPG actively promotes women’s peace education, spreads a culture of peace, and supports the enactment of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) as international law.

Through gatherings like the one at Taegukgi Village, IWPG continues to connect the spirit of Korea’s liberation with the universal pursuit of peace.

Source: https://vo.la/RfuLUj