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South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the gravesites of Korean independence fighters in Hyochang Park in central Seoul, on Tuesday.
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The visit was among the activities marking the 72nd anniversary of Korean liberation from Japanese colonial rule. The president laid down flowers and paid his respects at the tombs.
Among the graves were those of Kim Goo and three other key members of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, was organized in exile in April 1919.
Goo was a nationalist Korean politician and independence fighter – along with Lee Bong-chang, Yun Bong-gil and Baek Jeong-gi. He headed the provisional government of Korea from 1940 until the country's liberation at the end of World War II.
The provisional government was formed to reject Japanese suppression of Korean independence.
A proclamation of independence was issued by 33 prominent Koreans on March 1, 1919, and a number of massive demonstrations followed.
Korea was a colony of Japan from 1910-1945.
Moon became the second South Korean president to ever pay a visit to the fighters gravesites after late President Kim Dae-jung in June 1998.
U.S. congratulates S. Korea on Liberation Day
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, on Monday, issued a congratulatory message to mark the country's Liberation Day.
"We reaffirm the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and honor our strong and historic people-to-people ties," he said.
"This holiday also marks the bond our nations share in our support for democratic values, as we stand together to advance peace and security."
Tillerson added: "We look forward to the continued alliance between our nations as we move forward. I send our best wishes to the people of the Republic of Korea as you celebrate this occasion."
The United States fought alongside South Korea during the Korean War, which took place from 1950 to 1953.
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