106th Anniversary of the Establishment 

of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea

Dear independence patriots and their bereaved families,

and beloved citizens of Incheon and fellow Koreans overseas,

This is Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City.

Today marks the 106th anniversary of the establishment 

of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.

I bow my head in deep gratitude and respect

to the patriotic forebears and independence activists

who safeguarded the spirit and legitimacy of our nation with indomitable patriotism.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to

President Lee Wan-seok of the Incheon Branch 

of the Heritage of Korean Independence,

its members, as well as all veterans’ organizations and patriotic individuals

who have dedicated themselves to the advancement of the Republic of Korea.

Dear independence patriots, bereaved families, and citizens,

Even in the darkness of the Japanese colonial period,

our forebears never gave up on the dream of national independence.

They gave their all for the liberation of their homeland,

and united their resolve in establishing 

the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.

On April 2, 1919,

the “Conference of Representatives from 13 Provinces” 

held at Jayu Park (then called Manguk Park) in Incheon

became a catalyst for the establishment of the Provisional Government.

The leaders of the independence movement gathered and reaffirmed

their firm resolve to establish a unified provisional government.

The Provisional Government stood as a symbol of unity

that bound the nation and its people together.

It brought together independence forces 

that had been divided across different regions,

serving as a vital unifying hub.

Today, the Republic of Korea has become a nation

with a per capita income exceeding USD 30,000

and a population of over 50 million,

achievements that place us second only to the United States

among countries that meet both of these criteria.

We are now enjoying freedom and prosperity on the global stage.

However, we are currently experiencing a crisis of division

amid social conflict and political turbulence.

106 years ago, our forebears chose unity over division.

We, too, must inherit the spirit of the Provisional Government

and move forward on the path of cooperation and integration

beyond conflict and confrontation.

Just as the passion for the independence movement that began in Incheon

led to the prosperity of the free Republic of Korea,

Incheon will now become the center

leading the Republic of Korea toward unity and a brighter future.

Dear independence patriots, bereaved families, and citizens of Incheon,

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Korea’s liberation.

The noble sacrifices of our independence patriots

allowed us to reclaim our nation's independence,

and the precious values of freedom and peace that we now enjoy

must be passed down to future generations in an even greater form.

Incheon Metropolitan City will continue to reexamine

the history of the independence movement,

and will make ongoing efforts

to uncover lesser-known independence activists from Incheon.

Today, as we commemorate the 106th anniversary

of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea,

I pledge our full commitment

to the development and unification of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you.