Song Hye-kyo and Seo Kyung-duk Donate 10,000 Independence Movement Guides in Washington, D.C.

Actress Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University donated 10,000 guidebooks on the history of Korea's independence movement to the Old Korean Legation in Washington, D.C. The donation was arranged to publicize, both in Korea and overseas, the history of the independence movement among Koreans in the Washington area.

The guidebooks were produced in Korean and English and will be distributed to visitors to the Old Korean Legation. They include the locations of the Old Korean Legation and the Korean Commission to America and Europe, the historical activities carried out there at the time, and the significance of the independence movement.

Korean-English Guides Distributed to Visitors at the Old Korean Legation

The guidebooks are designed to help visitors directly identify the traces of the independence movement that remain in Washington, D.C. By introducing the locations of the Old Korean Legation and the Korean Commission to America and Europe together, they help readers understand what role those sites played in the history of the independence movement.

Seo Kyung-duk: "Sustained Interest and Visits Are the Power Behind Preservation"

Professor Seo Kyung-duk appealed for public interest, noting that the preservation conditions for overseas sites connected to Korea's independence movement are poor. Seo said, "The preservation status of Republic of Korea independence movement sites overseas is not very good," adding, "Our people's sustained interest and visits will be the greatest force in preserving these historic sites."

Online access has also been arranged for those who find it difficult to visit in person. Through the website "Stories of Our History Abroad," anyone can download the original guidebook files, including the Washington edition.

Donations to More Than 40 Overseas Historic Sites Over 15 Years

The two figures' collaboration is the result of a project that has continued for 15 years. Based on Professor Seo's planning and Song Hye-kyo's sponsorship, they have steadily donated Korean-language guidebooks, Hangul signs, and relief works of independence activists to more than 40 overseas sites tied to the independence movement.

Including the latest Washington donation, the project has reached 11 major cities around the world, including New York, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico City. Song Hye-kyo, who was recently reported to have ended her exclusive contract with agency UAA, has continued for 15 years to sponsor guidebooks, Hangul signs, and other materials needed at overseas historic sites in line with Professor Seo's planning.