Kim Han-soo (right), director general for protocol and state council at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, on Aug. 13 gives a briefing at Government Complex-Seoul in Seoul's Jongno-gu District on the Aug. 15 celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of liberation and the "people's appointment ceremony" for President Lee Jae Myung. (Ministry of the Interior and Safety)

By Charles Audouin

The "people's appointment ceremony" for President Lee Jae Myung to mark the 80th Liberation Day on Aug. 15 from 8 p.m. will have the theme "80 Years of Liberation, Building the Future with National Sovereignty" at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Aug. 13.

Leading national figures, foreign diplomats and representatives from sectors such as politics, economy, society, culture and arts, sports, science and technology, education, labor, women's rights and industry will attend. Another 3,500 members of the public were also invited through an online reservation system.

The event is composed of three sections. Under the theme of "Light Discovered Together," the first will feature a performance celebrating 80 years of liberation and national unity. Songs sung by the people gathered in the square in times of joy and pain will reverberate throughout Gwanghwamun.

The second part titled "Wind of Light" will see the formal inauguration of the nation's 21st president with the following events: "National Ceremony"; screening of a theme video; "The Republic of Korea We Desire," the ceremony; and "Illuminate the Light."

Following "The People's Wish" conveyed to the president, President Lee will be formally appointed. The ceremony will feature 80 people who participated in the Korean War (1950-53), April 19 Revolution (1960), May 18 Democratization Movement (1980) and June Democracy Movement (1987).

Under the theme "Shining Us," the third section will celebrate the ceremony and the 80th anniversary of liberation. The event will conclude with performances of dance, taekwondo and music, with K-pop acts Sandeul and Jung Eun-ji to sing "Golden," the hit from the soundtrack to the Netflix animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters."

The public is invited to attend the ceremony outside the restricted area.

caudouin@korea.kr