[iNews24 reporter Kim Sang-jin] Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province announced on April 30 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding on April 29. The signing, held in the small conference room on the second floor of the county office, launches a project to locate descendants of independence activists whose medals were never transferred.
The agreement comes amid a rise in cases since 1995, when government-led efforts to recognize independence activists expanded. As more honors were conferred, instances increased in which medals were awarded but not passed on to heirs. The county says the MOU aims to identify those descendants and ensure they receive appropriate recognition.
Verifying family registries for recipients whose medals remain untransferred is especially difficult, which hampers efforts to locate heirs. With many potential descendants now elderly, officials say a swift search is urgent. Some descendants may not even be aware their ancestors received official recognition, so the county is urging active cooperation from the local community.
The county confirmed there are currently 12 independence activists whose medals have not been passed on. Identified individuals include Kim Chang-wook (militia, Aegukjang—Patriotic Medal), No Yeon-suk (militia, Aejokjang—Patriotic Service Medal), and Park Myung-seo (March 1st Movement, Presidential Citation), among others.
A county official said, “Because many potential heirs are elderly, any delay could mean they miss the opportunity to receive these medals. We will do our utmost to locate descendants quickly so they can receive the honors they deserve.”
