Yang Jae-yoon, president of the Minjok Joongheung Hoe Americas Chapter (right), and Senior Vice President Michael Shim.
The Minjok Joongheung Hoe, an organization dedicated to inheriting the achievements and spirit of former South Korean President Park Chung-hee, is establishing its first branch in the Americas.
The Americas Chapter (President Yang Jae-yoon) will hold its inaugural ceremony on October 26 at 5 PM at The One Event Hall on the 5th floor of the Aroma Center in Koreatown, Los Angeles. As this date marks the 47th anniversary of the former president’s passing, a memorial service will also be held concurrently.
Dr. Yang Jae-yoon, who took office as the inaugural president, stated, “Most of the generation that led South Korea’s economic development alongside President Park Chung-hee has passed away. We established this organization to pass on the spirit and history of that era to future generations before it is too late.”
The Americas Chapter plans to pursue history education programs and seminars targeting second- and third-generation Korean Americans. Its primary goal is to spread awareness of South Korea’s economic development process and President Park’s leadership.
Senior Vice President Michael Shim explained, “We want to convey the spirit that through sincere effort, one can achieve anything even in the most difficult environments. We will prepare educational programs to help the Korean American younger generation understand South Korea’s development process and their own roots.”
The event is free and open to the public, and meals will be provided.
The Minjok Joongheung Hoe originated from the May 16 Revolution Comrades Association formed in 1962. It was organized primarily by figures who participated in the May 16 military coup, with President Park serving as its first president and former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil as its second president. It was later renamed the Minjok Joongheung Hoe in 1984.
On the following day, October 27 at 5 PM, a ‘Patriotic Lecture’ hosted by the Institute for Free Democracy will be held at the same venue. Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo and Yoo Dong-yeol, director of the Institute for Free Democracy, are scheduled to lecture on topics including South Korean politics and national security.
