On September 27 at 11 a.m., a commemorative event marking the 75th anniversary of the September 28 Recapture of Seoul was held at the Auckland Korean Cultural Centre. Attendees included Park Sung-kyu, chairman of the New Zealand branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association; Yang Hee-jung, senior vice chairman of the NZ branch of the Korean Veterans Association; Byun Kyung-sook, chairwoman of the NZ branch of NZUNPK (Korean War Veterans Association); Koo Man-ok, chairwoman of the NZ Korean Women’s Federation for Reunification; Jung Young-nam, chair of the New Zealand Korean Art Association; and members of the Korean Freedom Federation NZ branch and local community. They gathered to commemorate this meaningful day of Seoul’s recapture.
The event, chaired by Lee Sung-hoon, vice chairman of the Korean Freedom Federation NZ branch, was a particularly significant occasion.
In his congratulatory remarks, Park Sung-kyu emphasized that the reason for commemorating the September 28 Recapture of Seoul was because it marked a historic turning point that made the current Republic of Korea possible. He asserted that it was not merely a recapture of the capital city from the enemy but a historical breakthrough that defended freedom and democracy from the invasion of North Korean communism and laid the foundation for national prosperity.
Maverick Son, chairman of the Korean Freedom Federation NZ branch, highlighted that the recapture of Seoul following the success of the Incheon landing operation was a decisive event that turned the tide of the war. He saluted the heroes who sacrificed for today’s freedom and prosperity, many of whom remain unnamed and unknown. He expressed deep emotion and resolve to protect the values of the free Republic of Korea, which were realized through their sacrifices.
The attendees, unified in their commitment to permanently uphold the values of freedom and democracy and contribute to the prosperity and development of the motherland, held the ceremony in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
The Korean Freedom Federation NZ branch defines its activities around ‘substance, connection, and youth,’ striving to enhance practical and effective cooperation between the young and middle generations of Korea and New Zealand for the economic development of the Korean community and the prosperity and progress of the MZ generation in Korea.
