Lee Joong-keun, chairman of South Korea’s leading construction company Booyoung Group, has compiled a history book about Korea’s post-independence period.
“Independence, 1,775 Days” chronologically documents historical facts and events that occurred on the Korean Peninsula in the 1,775 days from Aug. 15, 1945, when Korea gained independence from Japanese colonial rule, to June 24, 1950, the day before the Korean War broke out.
The book details significant events such as Japan’s surrender, U.N.-supervised general elections in South Korea and the establishment of the Republic of Korea.
“Today’s history books describe the same events differently depending on the publishers,” Lee told a press conference in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Thursday. “So I wanted to record the truth of what really took place in Korea after its independence.”
Booyoung Group chairman Lee Joong-keun on Thursday talks about his new book “Independence, 1,775 Days” at a press conference in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. (Booyoung Group)
The 73-year-old Lee, who experienced the war firsthand, also said he believes that the older generations like himself should take responsibility to deliver the history as it is to the descendants.
The book is published by his own Woojung Books in two versions. One consists of three volumes with a total of 2,546 pages, and the other 10 volumes with 3,512 pages. It took Lee more than three years to complete the book.
Woojung Books published the abridged version of another history book compiled by Lee last year, titled “The Korean War, 1,129 Days.”
“The interpretation of history can change due to different view points, but the historical fact itself does not change,” Lee said.
By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)
