[Vancouver - Korea IT Times] On August 8, at 10:30 AM, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver held a memorial ceremony at the Kearney Columbia-Bowell Chapel in New Westminster for the repatriation of the remains of Patriot Kim Deok-yun. The event was attended by his family and leaders from Korean organizations such as the Korean Association, the Korean Veterans Association of the 6.25 War, the Korean Vietnam War Veterans Association, the Jang Min-woo chairman of the Veterans Association, and the National Unification Advisory Council.
Due to the absence of Consul General Jongho Kyun, who was on a business trip to Alberta, Deputy Consul General Jang Young-jae presided over the event. The Korean community in Vancouver and overseas Koreans gathered to honor Kim Deok-yun's life and ideals, bidding farewell as he returns to his homeland on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Liberation. His grandsons, Kim Geun-wook and Kim Geun-tae, and a great-grandchild attended, while his son, Kim Jeong-se, was unable to attend due to health issues.
Born in 1919 in Pyongyang, Kim Deok-yun organized an anti-Japanese youth group named the "Ilmaekhoe" association while attending Pyongyang Soongin Commercial School. The following year, he formed the "Yeolhyeol" movement group to promote rural enlightenment and instill national consciousness. Arrested by Japanese police in 1939, he was sentenced to four years in prison by the Tokyo Criminal Court in 1941. Despite the hardships and imprisonment, his resolve for independence remained steadfast.
In recognition of his contributions, the Korean government awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1980 and the Order of Merit for Patriotism in 1990. He passed away in Vancouver, Canada, in 2006 and was buried in a local Korean Catholic cemetery. The remains will depart from Vancouver Airport on August 11 and will be repatriated to Korea, with the interment scheduled at Daejeon National Cemetery on August 13.
In his memorial speech, Deputy Consul General Jang Young-jae said, "Though the departure of the remains from Vancouver may leave the family with a sense of emptiness, the footprints and spirit left by the patriot will forever remain within the Korean community in Canada," expressing deep respect.
You can find the Korean version of this article here.
