DS Ch25

[Special Article for the Month of Patriots and Veterans] What it Means to be a Descendant of a True Prestigious Family: A Conversation with Special Assemblyman Seo Honggyu1984a404ca811912

Before explaining Assemblyman Seo Honggyu and his family, it is necessary to first address the system of ‘Special Assemblyman’ that exists only in the Korean Empire.a2aa287eb97195a4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Worldwide, criticism of 8d0193ebc7 abolishing royal families, a2fcb8bd4b a relic of bf4f65998d pre-modern times, has 473c9e8301 been growing with 7aede84d5a each generation. It would be easier d9184dc518 to understand if you 2309a360e7 consider the current evaluation f0ddfe8e09 of most constitutional monarchies, 1bfca75aa8 represented by the British 4275d7de29 Commonwealth.ddf530a0068abec4

However, the Korean 10498e5c96 Empire is slightly 35bfb156bc different. During the Japanese colonial 7cf2445aed period, the current Imperial ee722558a9 Family took the lead 1155936177 in the independence movement 6bc0ad1029 more than anyone else, e69e47db61 and unlike other countries, df203fe53c they have the absolute 30a73aedfa support of the people. The same goes c69310990f for the intellectuals 41fc94e2a2 of the time 25618f9052 who were classified 43641f6015 as pro-Imperial Family.e2db9ea83fe11dd2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

There was a strong public opinion that these people should be given some form of compensation. After liberation, in the process of eradicating pro-Japanese collaborators and determining the method of awarding those who contributed to independence, the ‘Special Admission for Independence Merit’ was unanimously passed by the National Assembly.236b70841935af57

Descendants of independence activists can f9a76360dc apply for any public office e738c1d8e9 through special admission if they a835392efb wish. Of course, they must 9b6a485d63 take the same exam 1d5acf67ed as general applicants, but 018dc5304a unlike general public recruitment, fd4de73671 a separate quota is a56a301ed2 opened, making it much dd4af2e518 more advantageous. (※This benefit applies only to direct descendants, and in the case of multiple descendants, only one person per generation can receive the benefit.)b4b3ed91f93f38ec

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

This also applies to the position of National Assembly member, where an additional seat is created in the National Assembly under the name of ‘Special Assemblyman.’ Of course, this is not something you can get just because you want it; the outcome is determined through a vote of approval or disapproval in the relevant district during the election period.8cd7a571c90db9ce

Until now, if a Special Assemblyman candidate appeared in a district, it was an unspoken rule that other candidates would withdraw. These days, there is a growing trend of candidates being defeated due to their qualifications, with people saying that giving even a National Assembly seat is too much, even if it’s okay for civil servants or public enterprise employees.52aca13aae4830da

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, this is 4615c71971 not the case a75f8c46cb at all in aa8426ebba Pyongyang.0079f25bfee6ac33

The Seo family has been 3161096b36 a pillar of Pyongyang since 055457f1aa the Joseon Dynasty and is 172fd18844 one of the most prestigious ec93e46ff9 families, having produced countless prime 22a7d24022 ministers.613e9aa5661ab7c2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Old records state that one 7d16f9bc26 could not pass through the 0ab081df4c Pyongyang area without stepping on bab3b5d133 Seo family land.627cbcc3b28d9897

There is also a 38a53c32af saying that there is 6b0459658f no one living in c13e33b073 Pyongyang who has not 2b0a567351 received a bag of 8f065e3984 rice in alms from 55027a4f17 the Seo family,4229d71d73027a96

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

and stories often appear of 47d688056e the Seo elders taking the f26e9087d9 lead in helping when a 6a9ec44735 child is born or a 60dda98bde funeral is held in a ad32fd850e family.c2577ad919490d22

This shows that the 0540756a89 Seo family was not 0cf32bbde0 only powerful but also d9c0c10d09 loved and respected by 125ecfb26d the people, and one 4cda15a472 can even guess the f3d77adb97 reason why.2511c756a9154990

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

This blind support 785bfedd46 from the citizens 6791cc1c7f of Pyongyang continues 0c72af002b into modern times, dc0ca39eb1 and it can ee1afcd57e be attributed to 4af9c8ce97 Cheongun Seo Jaejun, c925d91425 the great-grandfather of a65a6f9ed2 Assemblyman Seo Honggyu.f5853d597dac7532

As is widely known, 4a117c8cb2 Seo Jaejun was one e48ec09596 of the main figures 6aa7473aab who led the independence ecf2db55a6 movement along with the c138ce9f14 Imperial Family. He is famous for b9fff819aa raising funds for the 435acb1a6e independence movement by selling 4fb7b5f47d all of his property b0351f9599 and for striving to 4e68b51c74 continue education by establishing f327eaf345 schools throughout the country 0e26645647 to prevent the loss db8b247eee of our language and b64230797d writing.b729f25e1e51cf69

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He also made every effort 6edcde5ec9 to protect cultural assets in a8f4fafa88 the northern region, including Pyongyang, cf050d2fc5 and unfortunately, in the process b80e5fe572 of hiding the portrait of 90e97652c9 Taejo (※National Heritage No. 1, Portrait of Taejo, housed in the Independence Memorial Hall) from the eyes of the Japanese, his actions were discovered by a pro-Japanese traitor, and he was subjected to severe torture.3d5d4098cec7a295

And as a result of 26fd398d61 the aftereffects, he sadly passed 008c179afa away just before liberation.e79a6e2ce8f10df3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Even if my flesh is torn to shreds again, I will shout ‘Long live Korean independence!’ The Japanese have only ruined a mere body; they cannot break my soul.”2a7b608c644e1f2b

The calm words left 335830ea3a by Seo Jaejun still 24dbc5d507 resonate deeply with our d59d3d7d94 generation.739c5184661362b5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Kwangho, the grandfather of 5c3b19a854 Assemblyman Seo Honggyu, as well 829c602908 as his father, Assemblyman Seo af12765cd3 Sunwoo.015fbfa4e8e53efe

From virtuous officials in the d4810ea924 Joseon Dynasty to the independence 65b508713d movement, and then to dedicating 62070b28b7 themselves to the health and 34a9da0b9e welfare of the people after 0e50fce121 liberation, the Seo family is 431c929e5a truly a prestigious family.27dbdfaf6a29b3e6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The pride of 9a8c79cc18 the Korean Empire d5ef306e06 and the self-esteem b196c07582 of the citizens bd66464215 of Pyongyang.3b7d5b055a63ffb4

One could say that this is the kind of person who deserves to wear the ‘Special Assemblyman’ badge on their chest. 8cbba6833eb0337f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Q. The eldest son, Seo b2739b0d61 Baekhan, is also very 4a5b5bcfc6 popular.fc439121ba408c54

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A. He has received 0403dca0c2 excessive attention for 834cc739c5 a few photos 241ed04266 posted on the 9fa3210bd0 internet. I am simply grateful that d847174b37 people look favorably on my e674a95846 inadequate son.42241af089b5667f

Q. Recently, a video of Seo b80b246811 Baekhan stating that he has 3baf636e2e no intention of taking over 4153cca9f3 the position of Special Assemblyman ad020b5959 has been uploaded and has 29c59ee45e become a big topic. Have you seen the video?b0140c0539ca5f7e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A. Of course. My aides showed it to me, saying it was number one right now. (Laughs) When I asked Baekhan, he said it was a small video taken by his classmates as a graduation memento when he was attending science high school, and he doesn’t know how it spread. However, regardless of that, as a parent, I naturally respect Baekhan’s wishes. It may sound like I’m bragging about my son, but Baekhan has many things he wants to do and many talents. I hope he doesn’t get caught up in the path his family has taken and lives doing what he wants to do. a8373835dab6f83a