Park's visit sheds light on provisional gov't in Shanghai

By Kim Hyo-jin

The building that housed Korea’s provisional government in Shanghai during the colonial era is drawing attention as President Park Geun-hye has decided to attend its reopening ceremony this week during her three-day trip to China.

Found in 1919, it served as the center of Korea’s campaign to gain independence from Japanese occupation.

At the request of the South Korean government, the Chinese government has renovated the three-story building since late June, and it is ready for its reopening to the public, Friday.

Cheong Wa Dae announced last month that Park will attend the ceremony on the last day of her visit to China.

Park is the sixth President to visit the nation’s provisional government building. President Roh Tae-woo visited first on Sept. 30, 1992, a day after the normalization of Korea-China ties.

The Korean government-in-exile found its overseas base in Shanghai, shortly after the Korean Declaration of Independence was announced during the March 1 movement in 1919. Until 1932, it undertook administrative, diplomatic and military activities as an interim government.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans affairs said in June that Korea and Chinese governments will work together to refurbish the building as part of its plan to mark the 70th anniversary of independence, which falls on Aug. 15.

China took part in the project actively. It paid the 700 million won ($600,000) cost for renovation.

Beijing’s active engagement in joint commemorative projects reflects tighter Korea-China relations, analysts say.

“The reopening ceremony itself and Park’s attendance carries significant meaning in bilateral relations,” said Yoon Tae-gon, a political analyst at Moa Agenda Strategy.