On 15 August 2025, Koreans celebrated one of the country’s most important national holidays, the 80th anniversary of National Liberation Day from Japan’s colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, with elaborate public events across the Korean peninsula. Liberation Day is one of the few holidays honored by both North Korea and South Korea, and is celebrated on the same day. Marking this important day, the Seoul Metropolitan Government organized a Youth Forum at City Hall, entitled Global Voice for Peace Workshop, which brought together 86 young participants representing 43 countries. Additionally, participants were specially invited to Seoul Plaza for a commemorative music concert, which attracted thousands of citizens.
The peace forum featured a series of special presentations by young scholars from Nigeria, Malaysia, Moldova, India, and Colombia. Their talks introduced the histories of countries that, like Korea, have endured colonial hardships.
During a lecture on the role of youth in world peace delivered by Oh Joon, a former ambassador and permanent representative of the RoK to the United Nations, and Chair of Save the Children Korea, he pointed out that the current world order needs to strengthen global governance, promote democracy and human rights, and enhance global citizenship in reference of the Summit of the Future on 22 September 2024, where world leaders adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
He further highlighted that the adoption of the Pact demonstrates that countries are committed to an international system with the United Nations at its center. Leaders set out a clear vision of a multilateralism that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world, and draws on the engagement and expertise of governments, civil society, and other key partners.
Ahead of the forum, on 9 August 2025, Funday Korea Networks organized a visit to historic sites connected to Korea’s independence movement against Japanese colonial rule, deepening their appreciation of the country’s history and struggles for freedom. Funday Korea Networks is a social enterprise that operates various programs to help young people and foreigners better understand Korean culture.
From 1910 to 1945, under Japanese colonial occupation, Koreans suffered forced labor, suppression of their language, cultural erasure, and forced military conscription during the Second World War, mobilizing around 5.4 million Koreans to support its war effort.
In South Korea, the celebration day is known as Gwangbokjeol, which literary means “to regain the light,” making Koreans have a distinct sense of national pride, while celebrating their freedom and their remembrance of martyrs and heroes, ultimately helping in reflection on how the country has achieved tremendous progress after gaining independence. On this day, the flag was displayed on government buildings, streets, and private homes across the country.
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