Son Lee Ji Yoo lead singing of “Korean Dream: Come, O Glorious Light!”
The following is a translated excerpt from Asia Today on the 2025 Korean Dream Hangang Festa in Seoul, South Korea. Held at the Ttukseom Hangang Park, the significant event commemorated the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day on August 15, 2025.
Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan began the event by saying, “This year marks the 80th anniversary of liberation and the 80th anniversary of division. We stand at a critical turning point where we must reflect on the sacrifices and dedication of the past century and design future innovations.” He continued, “The future does not stop at simple unification or one-sided narratives. The ‘horizon of unification’ fostered by global citizens transcending the boundaries of South and North, conservatives and progressives, generations and regions, and national and cultural boundaries is the ‘Korean Dream’ we strive for, and the future of a unified Korean Peninsula that we must draw together.”
He continued, “Now we can no longer be alone. We are faced with a destiny that requires us to move forward together.” He added, “When the capabilities of all areas, including economy, politics, education, culture, and civil society, are organically connected and cooperate, unification will no longer be an abstract ideal but an achievable future.”
Chairman of the Organizing Committee Jeong Woo-taek emphasized, “Eighty years ago, our ancestors liberated themselves from the humiliating colonial rule of Japan and reclaimed their homeland, but the reality of division between North and South Korea still breaks our hearts.” He continued, “Since liberation, the Han River has flowed, creating the ‘Miracle on the Han River,’ unprecedented in world history. And today, on the 80th anniversary of liberation, the Han River has begun a new flow. Now, shouldn’t we move beyond the Miracle on the Han River and toward the ‘Miracle of Unification of the Korean Peninsula?'”
Chairman Chung said, “If all of our people, regardless of ideology or faction, accept unification as ‘my life’s issue’ and ‘our common task’ and unite with one goal, that is the first step toward unification.” He added, “I sincerely hope that the 80th anniversary of liberation in 2025 will be the first year of new challenges and hope.”
