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| March 1, Movement memorial ceremony hosted by the Seoul city government in Seoul on March 1. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Kim Hyun-bin
Hyun Jong-myung, 84, is a granddaughter of Oh Ha-yeon, one of the leading March 1 Movement freedom fighters, but Hyun has been struggling to make ends meet, forced to work for anything she can get her hands on including basic public jobs.
Just like Hyun, 74.2 percent of freedom fighter descendants make less than 2 million won ($1,645) a month, according to a recent government study.
To better aid patriots and their descendants, the Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a plan Monday, dubbed the "plan to strengthen support measures for the descendants of independence fighters." There are several support packages for low-income descendants of freedom fighters including a 200,000 won monthly allowance to support their livelihood as well as 3 million won in scholarships for students to assist with tuition costs.
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Seoul city announced a budget of 73.1 billion won to help them through 2022.
Starting January, 3,300 low-income households will receive 200,000 won in aid each month. Currently, only surviving patriots receive the payment as part of the veteran honor benefit allowance.
Freedom fighter descendants will receive preferential treatment when applying for state-run national rental housing, which is scheduled to open in 2020. A total of 544 housing units in Seoul are allocated for independence fighter descendants next year.
To reduce the burden of tuition, the plan also includes college scholarships worth 3 million won a year that will be given to 100 descendants, who are currently enrolled in universities in the capital.
To enhance their self-respect and sense of pride, the city plans to launch a project dubbed "Find the roots of overseas independence fighters" through which the city government will annually select 50 descendants to tour around significant independence movement locations in China including in Shanghai and Manchuria.
For every freedom fighter and one family member, 80 percent discounts will be provided for water, sewage and public parking costs.
An independence movement memorial park will be established by 2024 in the capital and within it will have a space designated in commemorating the 15,454 independence fighters that sacrificed their lives for Korea's liberation.
"After taking office, we are the first local government to strengthen respect and support for people who fought for Korea's independence as well as men of national merit," Park Won-soon, Seoul mayor said. "Marking the 100th year anniversary of March 1, Movement and the establishment of Shanghai temporary government as well as 74th anniversary of the country's liberation, we will follow the mentality and merits of our ancestors and significantly expand support for descendants that are suffering from economic difficulties."
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