Cho Jin-woong to Lead National Ceremony at 80th Liberation Day Celebration

Actor Cho Jin-woong will help mark the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation with a meaningful role at this year’s national commemoration.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced on July 28 that Cho Jin-woong will lead the national ceremony at the “80th Liberation Day Celebration” and the festival titled “Building the Future Through People’s Sovereignty” scheduled for August 15. Multiple distinguished guests and diverse programs will be showcased at the event.

The commemorative ceremony will take place at 10 AM on August 15 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, followed by a large-scale festival celebrating national sovereignty at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 PM the same day. Around 2,500 participants are expected to attend, including families of independence patriots, key government officials, the diplomatic corps, and citizens from various walks of life.

This year’s Liberation Day ceremony will feature a unique “Public Inauguration Ceremony,” granting citizens the opportunity to symbolically appoint the 21st President of Korea. Organizers say the aim is to reflect on the meaning of popular sovereignty and offer participants a platform to deliver their hopes for the nation.

Cho Jin-woong’s participation carries special weight—he previously served as a national envoy during the 2021 repatriation of General Hong Beom-do’s remains. Enhancing the symbolism of the event, Choi Su-a, a primary school student and the great-great-granddaughter of independence hero Ahn Jung-geun, will lead the traditional “Three Cheers for Independence” chant.

The 80th Liberation Day Festival is open to all. Any citizen wishing to take part can apply via the official website of the “80th Liberation Day Commemoration Committee” until 12 PM on August 1, including one companion. If applications exceed capacity, participants will be selected by lottery, and results will be announced on the website after 2 PM on August 8.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung stated, “We will make thorough preparations to ensure this is a moment for the entire nation to reflect on 80 years of liberation and the significance of popular sovereignty,” urging broad public interest and participation.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Republic of Korea Policy Briefing, MHN DB