In recognition of Ikeda Sensei and Mrs Ikeda’s Contributions to the Development of the Community and the Culture and Education

The Mayor and National Assembly Members attended the award ceremony.

Translated from Seikyo Shimbun article on 21 November 2023. 

Mayor Kim (sixth from the right), guests and SGI representatives pose for a commemorative photograph at the conferral ceremony (at Gangneung Gyeonghwa Culture Center) where the title of “Honorary Citizenship” was awarded by Gangneung City, South Korea.

The title of “honorary citizenship” was conferred upon Daisaku Ikeda Sensei and Mrs Kaneko Ikeda by Gangneung City, Gangwon Province, South Korea. 

This award extolled the recipient for his leadership in developing the local community and his great contribution to culture and education. 

 The conferral ceremony started at 2 pm on 18 Nov at Korea SGI’s Gangneung Honor Culture Centre to celebrate the anniversary of Soka Gakkai’s founding. The event was attended by Mayor Kim Han-Guen, National Assembly member Kweon Seong-dong, and City Council President Kim Ki-young, as well as SGI Korea General Director Kim In-soo, Women Division chief Kim Hyong-hee, and 300 representatives from the Gangwon 1 region. The award was conferred just before the news of Ikeda’s passing was released. 

Gangneung City is situated in the north-eastern part of South Korea. The traditional Gangneung Danoje Festival was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005 and entertains many people inside and outside Korea. It is also the birthplace of the oldest novel written in Hangul and a famous poet.

The members of SGI have been expanding the movement in this area for many years, including cleaning activities, donating books to educational institutions, and holding “Happiness Concerts” to which friends from the neighbourhood are invited. These activities were highly praised, and the Gangneung City Council presented the Sensei and Mrs Ikeda with a “special commendation plaque.’” in March 2014. 

 Currently, Mayor Kim Han-Guen takes the lead in the city’s administration, holding up an ideal to place the citizen as the centre of focus. Through interactions with the members and understanding from Hua Kwang newspaper (Korea SGI’s official newspaper), he has learned about the thoughts and actions of Sensei and Mrs Ikeda, and strengthened his sense of trust and empathy in them. 

Honorary citizenship Plaque for Ikeda Sensei

Honorary citizen Card for Ikeda Sensei

Honorary citizenship Plaque for Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda

Honorary citizen Card for Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda

At the conferral ceremony, Mayor Kim handed out honorary citizenship plague and honorary citizencard to General Director Kim In-soo and Women Division chief Kim Hyong-hee, respectively, and thunderous applause filled the venue. The honorary citizenship plaque is engraved with the words, “In order to honour your achievements and form eternal connection with Gangneung City, we raise the will of the citizens and present you with an honorary citizen card.” 

 In his congratulatory speech, Mayor Kim Han-Guen deeply expressed his gratitude to SGI members for their continued contributions to the local community, including their support for the restoration from the forest fire that occurred in Gangneung City in April. Thereafter, he praised Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda for the achievements in dedicating themselves to world peace and exerting themselves for the Japanese-Korean friendship, and joyfully welcomed them as honorary citizens.

source: https://www.seikyoonline.com/article/F7FA2167029F9951E293BA24A3095A0E 

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