The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that its ongoing exhibition of undelivered medals for independence patriots, currently held at Seodaemun Prison History Hall and other venues, will expand this month to Jeju Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall and Yecheon Museum.
The exhibition honors independence activists whose medals could not be delivered because their descendants have not been identified. It also serves as part of a broader initiative to locate the descendants of these patriots.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is currently displaying medals of 16 independence patriots, including patriot Lee Jae-myeong, who was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1962. Yangsan Municipal Independence Memorial Hall is exhibiting undelivered medals of six independence patriots from the Yangsan region, including patriot Seo Du-seong, who received the Order of Merit for Patriotism in 2005.
Jeju Anti-Japanese Memorial Hall will begin displaying medals of four patriots starting July 11, including patriot Lee Sin-hyeong, who received the Order of National Foundation Merit in 2019. Yecheon Museum will exhibit medals of nine patriots starting July 15, including patriot Hwang Ha-cheong, who received the Order of Merit for Patriotism in 1991.
The ministry plans to expand participation by partnering with local governments and regional museums across the country, aiming to shed light on the lives and achievements of lesser-known independence patriots and foster a sense of historical pride among local residents.