President Lee Jae Myung has visited a memorial site in Philadelphia for Korean independence activist Seo Jae-pil.

President Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung visited the memorial house on Tuesday afternoon before heading to the Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

The presidential office said Lee’s visit was the first by a South Korean president since the late President Kim Dae-jung went there in July 1999.

Lee said he found it very meaningful to visit the memorial hall dedicated to Seo, also known as Philip Jaisohn, who devoted himself to Korea’s independence. 

Lee also expressed hope that the memorial will continue to serve as a place that teaches future generations about the history of the independence movement while also contributing to the local community.

The memorial, established at the late activist’s home, was renovated and opened to the public in 1990 by the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation.