Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today in the presence of fellow Korean Canadians Ann Woo, Myung Shin An, Soon Hee Oh and Ho Sook Kwon to recognize an important day for us and the national Korean-Canadian community and people of Korean descent around the world. October 3 is Gaecheonjeol, National Foundation Day, a day that celebrates the legendary origin and ancient history of the Korean people.

Gaecheonjeol, meaning “the day when the heavens opened,” is a day to commemorate the founding of Gojoseon, the first nation of the Korean people formed in 2333 BC, according to the Dangun myth.

Gaecheonjeol has been designated as a national holiday in Korea since 1909 and is currently a public holiday that is celebrated in various ways. According to the long-standing tradition, on October 3, communities gather at official ceremonies to mark this important day. Families visit ancestral burial sites or gather to honour their ancestors. They enjoy traditional foods and play games. In towns and cities, there may be parades or festivals to bring people together to enjoy traditional performances and entertainment in celebration of the shared culture and thousands of years of history.

In celebration of Gaecheonjeol here in Ottawa, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will be hosting an event tomorrow evening at the Fairmont Château Laurier.

This year, 2023, is indeed a historic year. It marks the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Korea and the seventieth anniversary of the Korean War armistice.

Korea has a proud history of overcoming Japanese colonial rule and the devastating Korean War and achieving today’s prosperity as the twelfth-largest economy in the world.

The Korean people also remember the courageous patriots of the independence movement from the Japanese colonialism and the Korean War veterans, whose efforts and sacrifices have built the foundation upon which Korea has flourished and become a G20 nation.

Honourable senators, please join me in recognizing Gaecheonjeol and what this day means to the more than quarter‑million members of the Korean-Canadian communities across Canada.

Thank you. Gamsahamnida.