Seoul: The veterans ministry announced its initiative to identify and honor additional independence activists who contributed to Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. This decision emerged from a policy briefing presented to President Lee Jae Myung, outlining plans to bestow state honors on over 600 activists previously unrecognized, an increase from the 502 projected for 2025.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the government is committed to reassessing the contributions of these activists by examining newly uncovered achievements and awarding further state recognition based on these findings. Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul emphasized the importance of revisiting the criteria for recognition, noting the evolution of historical understanding and research since the 1970s.

The ministry's review will particularly focus on activists who received the Order of the President or the Order of Independence before the 1970s, a time when historical documentation was less comprehensive. Presently, about 18,000 individuals have been honored as independence activists, primarily recognized in the 1960s. Currently, 22 individuals have requested a reassessment of their contributions for potential upgrades in their state honors.

In addition, the ministry announced plans to propose a special bill for the organization of the Invictus Games in 2029, set to be held in Daejeon. The Invictus Games Foundation in Britain selected Daejeon over other contenders such as Aalborg in Denmark and San Diego in the United States, marking the first instance of an Asian country hosting the event. The organizing committee is anticipated to be launched by 2027.

The ministry also revealed plans to undertake a comprehensive survey of 1,032 overseas historical sites connected to Korea's independence movement by 2028. This year, inspections will commence at 258 sites in China and Japan, followed by 413 in 2027 and the remaining 361 in 2028.