[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Actress Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University have joined forces to raise awareness of the history of the independence movement.

According to Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women’s University on the 2nd, the two donated 10,000 copies of a guidebook detailing the history of the independence movement by Koreans in the Washington, D.C., area to audiences both in Korea and abroad. The guidebook was produced in both Korean and English and has been donated to the Former Korean Empire Legation in Washington, D.C., where it is currently being distributed to visitors.
The guidebook provides detailed information on the locations and historical activities of the Korean Empire Legation in the United States, the former Gumi Diplomatic Commission, and the Diplomatic Commission in the United States.
Professor Seo emphasized, “The state of preservation of South Korean independence movement sites remaining overseas is not particularly good,” adding, “However, the continued interest and visits by our citizens will be the greatest source of strength in preserving these historical sites abroad.”
The two have donated guidebooks on Korean history to 11 major cities worldwide, including New York, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico City. Over the past 15 years, through planning by Seo Kyung-deok and sponsorship by Song Hye-kyo, they have donated Korean-language guidebooks, Hangul signs, and bas-relief sculptures of independence activists to 40 historical sites in Korea located overseas.
Meanwhile, Song Hye-kyo’s exclusive contract with UAA, with whom she had been affiliated for 14 years, has expired. UAA stated, “UAA and Song Hye-kyo, who have worked together in mutual trust for a long time, have decided to conclude their partnership and support each other’s futures.” They added, “Actress Song Hye-kyo has received immense love not only in South Korea but throughout Asia and around the world during her long tenure with UAA. The time we spent with her will remain a happy and joyful memory.”