Honoring 80 years of liberation: history lives through records

A special exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation is now on display in central Seoul.

Through pictures, poems and documents, it offers a glimpse into the lives and emotions of those who lived through Korea's turbulent past.

Lee Eun-hee reports.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, when Korea regained independence from Japan in 1945 after 35년 of colonial rule.

To mark the anniversary, and to show the daily lives of people during the colonial rule and other moments of Korea's recent history, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is holding a special exhibition called "Records, Memory of You."

The displays, including official documents, diaries and literary works show more than just historical facts.

They reveal the human emotions of the time-hope, sorrow and joy-so we can experience Korea's journey through the eyes of those who lived it.

"This young soldier, unable to write to his illiterate father, asked a journalist to take his photo to let him know he was alive — tragically, he was killed in action the very next day. And this stack of letters was exchanged between a couple separated by the Vietnam War, offering a glimpse into their hope to be reunited."

Korea's struggle and pride are reflected in key moments in sports history.

From the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where a Korean athlete won gold in the marathon but had to stand under the Japanese flag-to the nation's first international sports victory after liberation and its Olympics debut under the name "KOREA" these milestones capture the resilience and determination of a country reclaiming its identity.

"Even though it was a time we never lived through, seeing over 80 years since Korea's first Olympics appearance made me feel how far our country has come, and also gave me a strange, nostalgic feeling, like I had been part of it."

"I wanted to come to South Korea, to the Republic of Korea and visit and learn more about the history and arts and culture of the country. So this is actually my first stop. I arrived this morning so I'm very happy to be here and I find the exhibit to be fascinating and very emotional actually because it talks about the history of what has happened in the recent past."

Held in collaboration with the Cheongju National Museum and the National Archives of Korea, the exhibition reminds us of the meaning of "Gwangbok" in Korean, meaning the restoration of lost sovereignty-and the importance of never forgetting those historic struggles.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.