UNESCO designates 2026 as commemorative year for Kim Gu’s 150th anniversary

A ceremony was held at the Baekbum Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Seoul to commemorate the designation of 2026 as the ‘UNESCO Commemorative Year for the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Kim Gu’. The designation, proposed by South Korea and supported by eight nations across Asia and Africa, recognizes Kim Gu’s role as a leader of the Korean Provisional Government and his advocacy for global peace through cultural strength.

The event, themed ‘My Wish, Peace and Culture’, honored Kim Gu’s philosophy expressed in his writings, specifically his desire for a nation that contributes to human happiness through high culture rather than military or economic dominance. Attendees included government officials, members of the National Assembly, and descendants of Kim Gu.

To mark the occasion, the UNESCO Korean National Committee presented a commemorative plaque to the director of the Kim Gu Memorial Hall, and the Korea Post presented commemorative stamps. The ceremony included musical performances and a collaborative performance by students representing future generations to express the enduring significance of Kim Gu’s vision.