A promotional poster for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's scholarship program for descendants of Korean independence activists / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Scholarship Foundation said Wednesday it will select 120 grant recipients from among fourth- through sixth-generation descendants of Korean independence activists, awarding 3 million won per person ($2,000) annually in a program valued at a total of 360 million won.

Launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2020, the foundation’s program for descendants of independence activists was the first of its kind by a local government in Korea. It is intended to honor those who died or suffered for national independence during Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, while easing the educational burden on descendants, who fall outside the scope of current veterans support laws.

From 2020 through last year, the city provided a total of 2 billion won in support through the program. In 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, it held an award ceremony attended by recipients and their families, along with special lectures on the independence movement. Participants have also taken on broader roles beyond their studies, helping organize international academic conferences on the independence movement.

The foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Liberation Association of Korea on April 8 to expand the program from a scholarship-focused initiative into a broader model for developing future leaders, encompassing the inheritance of historical values and the establishment of identity.

Recipients will be able to participate in the Korean Liberation Academy's "Young Heritage Academy," which this year will feature a program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence activist Kim Koo.

To be eligible, applicants must be fourth- through sixth-generation descendants of independence martyrs or patriots, hold Korean citizenship and be enrolled as undergraduate students either at a university in Seoul, or — if they are Seoul residents or children of Seoul residents — at a university outside Seoul.

Applications are accepted online through the foundation's website at www.hissf.or.kr from Thursday to May 6. Final recipients will be announced in mid-June.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

Source: Korea Times News