Hwarang Youth Foundation held a special seminar in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 15 to mark Korean Liberation Day and help younger generations of Korean Americans learn about Korea’s independence movement and the significance of liberation.
About 200 Hwarang youth members and parents attended the event. Participants learned about Korea’s path to regaining its sovereignty after Japanese colonial rule, as well as the sacrifices and dedication of independence activists who worked both in Korea and abroad.
Hwarang Youth Foundation Focuses on History and Identity
The foundation said it organized the seminar to help second- and third-generation Korean American youth, many of whom were born and raised in the United States, understand Korean Liberation Day as more than a commemorative occasion and connect it to their heritage and cultural identity.
The program covered Japan’s imperial expansion and colonial rule of Korea, along with human rights abuses and hardships Koreans endured during that period.
The foundation emphasized that the goal of the history education was not to foster hostility over the past, but to promote an accurate understanding of historical events and help young people recognize the importance of freedom, human rights and peace through lessons from history.
Understanding the Meaning of Korea’s National Anthem
A special lesson titled “From Singing the National Anthem to Understanding Its Meaning” was also held during the event. Participants examined the lyrics of all four verses of the Aegukga, South Korea’s national anthem, line by line, learning about their meaning, symbolism and expressions of patriotism.
To make the materials accessible to younger Korean Americans who may not be fluent in Korean, the foundation plans to produce Korean- and English-language videos and written materials explaining the historical significance of Korean Liberation Day and all four verses of the Aegukga.
The materials will be made available on YouTube for Hwarang members worldwide as well as anyone interested in Korean history and culture.
CPR and AED Training for Youth and Parents
The event also included CPR and automated external defibrillator, or AED, training for both youth members and parents.
The Hwarang Youth Foundation, which has required its members to undergo CPR and first-aid training, expanded the program to include parents. Participants learned how to respond to sudden medical emergencies at home or in their communities and completed the training course.
“Developing an accurate understanding of history is an important starting point for younger generations to build a strong sense of their roots and identity,” the foundation said. “We will continue to turn major historical commemorations into opportunities for identity education and promote awareness of Korea’s history and spirit of independence.”
