Lee marks 100th anniv. of establishment of Korean provisional gov't building in Shanghai

▲ President Lee Jae Myung (front) attends a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the construction of the building that served as the headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea from 1926-1932 in Shanghai on Jan. 7, 2026. (Yonhap)

▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung look at the photos of former independence fighters during his visit to the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai on Jan. 7, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Lee-historical site

Lee marks 100th anniv. of establishment of Korean provisional gov't building in Shanghai

By Kim Eun-jung

SHANGHAI, Jan. 7 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung visited a historical site that once served as the headquarters for Korea's provisional government in Shanghai on Wednesday and commemorated the 100th anniversary of the building's construction.

During the visit, Lee also marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence hero Kim Koo (1876-1949), who led the provisional government in exile, while Korea was under Japan's colonial rule.

Lee highlighted the shared history of Seoul and Beijing in losing sovereignty and fighting for independence, expressing hope that the two countries would reflect on their sacrifices and promote friendship and cooperation through the commemorative events.

"The fierce struggles of Korean and Chinese people for independence and liberation will remain etched in history and serve as the roots of the bonds and solidarity between our two nations," he said.

It is one of several former headquarters of the Korean Provisional Government and served as its main office from 1926 to 1932.

Reflecting on South Korea's rise from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War into an economic, cultural and democratic powerhouse, Lee said the country's achievements were built on the sacrifices of earlier generations.

"Without the noble sacrifices of our forebears who gave their lives to protect the nation, the Republic of Korea as we know it today could never have existed," he said.

He underscored China's importance in Korea's independence movement in the early 1900s, noting that Shanghai served as the main base for the provisional government until liberation in 1945.

"The history of Korea's independence movement cannot be told without China," he said. "Nearly half of the historic sites related to the struggle are located in China, making it the main stage of our independence movement."

In his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Lee said he asked for the Chinese government's support in preserving historical sites and recovering the remains of former independence fighters, pledging that Seoul would also step up its efforts.

He was accompanied by Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul and descendants of independence fighters, including Rep. Kim Yong-man of the ruling Democratic Party, a great-grandson of Kim Koo.

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