SEOUL - Today marks several significant anniversaries in South Korean history, reflecting educational achievements, diplomatic advances, and sporting successes, alongside a tragic maritime disaster.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on this day in 1929, Gyeongseong University, established by Japan in 1924, saw its first group of students graduate. The institution's journey ended in 1946, post-World War II, eventually leading to its integration into what is now known as Seoul National University.
Further back, on this date in 1949, South Korea expanded its diplomatic footprint by establishing an embassy in Washington, marking a significant step in international relations for the young state.
In a more controversial event from 1989, Reverend Mun Ik-hwan made headlines when he traveled to North Korea without South Korean government approval, meeting with then North Korean leader, Kim Il-sung. Upon his return, Rev. Mun faced arrest and imprisonment for his unauthorized diplomatic venture.
Shifting to sports achievements, on this day in 2007, swimmer Park Tae-hwan emerged as a global icon by securing the men's 400-meter freestyle title at the World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne. This victory made him the first South Korean to win a world swimming title, setting a time of 3:44.30 and surpassing competitors such as Grant Hackett of Australia and Yury Prilukov of Russia.
A decade later, in 2017, the nation witnessed a somber moment as the Sewol ferry, submerged under the sea since 2014, was finally lifted onto the deck of a semisubmersible ship, initiating its salvage. The ferry's tragic sinking near Jindo on its way to Jeju left 304 individuals dead, including nine whose bodies were never recovered, marking one of South Korea's most devastating maritime disasters.
Lastly, in a moment of national pride, 2023 saw Cha Jun-hwan becoming the first South Korean man to clinch a medal at the International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships. Held in Saitama, Japan, Cha secured the silver with a personal best score of 296.03 points, finishing just behind Japan's Shoma Uno.