President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to do his best to ensure that the spirit and heritage of independence left by the nation's freedom fighters are remembered forever and that those of merit, along with their descendants, receive their due respect. 

During a luncheon on Wednesday at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae, Yoon invited over 100 descendants of independence patriots, where he said that the Korean people were able to reclaim their nation thanks to the sacrifice and devotion of these heroes.

The president promised to never forget the forefathers' determination to defend and advance the value of freedom, and make every effort towards building a country of liberty, peace, and prosperity.

Among the attendees were the Paris Olympics silver and bronze medal-winning judoka Huh Mi-mi, whose ancestor was independence activist Huh Suk, and Kim Ho-youn, chairman of the domestic food company Binggrae, whose wife is the granddaughter of the highly respected activist Kim Koo.

The luncheon was also attended by over 30 descendants from the United States, China, and Kazakhstan.