(Photo: Yonhap)
Hong Beom-do, a historic independence fighter, has been awarded a medal of honor from South Korea, 78 years after his death.
President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday conferred the Order of Merit for National Foundation on Hong in a ceremony attended by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at Cheong Wa Dae.
The late general's remains were returned from Kazakhstan two days earlier on Liberation Day.
The South Korean government bestowed the Presidential Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation on Hong in 1962.
But Moon additionally presented the medal to Hong in order to honor not just his role in the independence fight but also his contribution to raising public awareness about the spirit of independence and love of homeland, according to the presidential office.
Hong served as commander of Korea's independence army during the period of Japanese colonial rule from 1910-45.
He is revered for leading troops to a number of victories, including the Battle of Fengwudong in Manchuria, China, in 1920.
Hong died in 1943 at the age of 75 in the Kazakh region of Kyzylorda.
His remains will be buried at the national cemetary in Daejeon on Wednesday.
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