Kazakhstan's Minister of Culture and Information Arman Kyrykbaev visited the memorial complex in Daejeon where Korean General Hong Beom-do is buried. The ceremony was held on the instructions of President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev, according to infohub.kz.
The ministry's press service said the new head of the Ministry of Culture and Information, Arman Kyrykbaev, is part of the official delegation accompanying the head of state in the Republic of Korea.
A ceremony with an honor guard took place at the memorial. The minister laid flowers and paid tribute to General Hong Beom-do, who devoted his life to Korea's struggle for independence.
The Daejeon memorial complex is considered one of South Korea's main places of remembrance. About 150,000 people who rendered distinguished service to the country are buried there.
Hong Beom-do's story holds a special place in Kazakhstan–Korea relations. The general spent the last years of his life in Kazakhstan. After his death, he was buried in Kyzylorda.
In 2021, with assistance from the Kazakh side, Hong Beom-do's remains were transferred to South Korea and reburied in Daejeon. This year marks five years since the general's return to his historic homeland.
At the end of the visit, Arman Kyrykbaev left an entry in the book of honored guests.
"The visit to the memorial was part of the state visit program and another symbolic gesture in memory of the shared history of the two peoples," the ministry said.
The day before, Presidents Qasym-Jomart Toqaev and Lee Jae-myung held expanded talks in Seoul, where the South Korean leader once again thanked his counterpart for assistance in returning the remains of the national hero to his homeland.