Veterans ministry to expand state awards to independence activists

The Korean veterans ministry has announced plans to expand the recognition and state awards for independence activists, aiming to identify and honor more individuals who have yet to be acknowledged for their role in securing Korea's independence from Japan's colonial rule between 1910 and 1945. According to the ministry, this expansion will see over 600 previously unrecognised activists receive state honors, increasing the total from 502 in 2025 to more than 600.

The government is also reviewing the contributions of these activists by reassessing newly discovered achievements, particularly focusing on those awarded the Order of the President or the Order of Independence before the 1970s, when historical records were insufficient. Additionally, the ministry plans to propose a special bill to oversee the hosting of the Invictus Games in 2029 in Daejeon, marking the first time an Asian country will host the event.

The ministry also intends to conduct a comprehensive survey of all 1,032 overseas historical sites related to Korea's independence movement by 2028, starting with inspections at 258 sites in China and Japan this year.

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