On an August day in 2025, the fir-lined avenue of the Seoul National Cemetery lay in profound stillness. Along the path—where even the breeze filtering through the leaves seemed to pause—a procession of black Genesis G90 ceremonial vehicles moved forward slowly. As the soft glow of the headlamps fell low, honor guards standing in formation silently raised their white-gloved hands in salute. It was the repatriation ceremony for six independence patriots: Moon Yang-mok, Lim Chang-mo, Kim Jae-eun, Kim Gi-ju, Han Eung-gyu, and Kim Deok-yun. Having passed away in distant foreign lands, they were finally returning home. In particular, Patriot Moon Yang-mok set foot on the soil of his long-awaited homeland for the first time in 120 years, after departing in 1905. As the nation marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation, this journey—bringing revered forebears back into the embrace of Korea—was one that Hyundai Motor Group had the honor of commemorating.

Beginning with the repatriation of the remains of independence patriots Yun Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi in 1946, shortly after Liberation, Korea’s efforts to return fallen patriots to their homeland have continued in earnest since 1975. In 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation, the remains of six additional independence patriots were brought home from countries including the United States, Brazil, and Canada—bringing the total number of repatriated patriots to 155. To carry this historic legacy forward, Hyundai Motor Group has joined hands with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to launch a partnership dedicated to supporting the repatriation of independence patriots and promoting a broader culture of remembrance. In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation, this initiative, titled “Road to Remember,” proudly honors the patriots who contributed to Korea’s liberation.

This year, Hyundai Motor Group supported the repatriation ceremonies by providing the Genesis G90 as the official ceremonial vehicles, ensuring that the fallen independence patriots’ final journey home was carried out with heightened solemnity and dignity. With its elevated sense of formality and strong symbolic presence, the G90—surpassing previous ceremonial vehicles—played a meaningful role in conveying honors worthy of the stature and legacy of the patriots.

In addition, Hyundai Motor Group arranged a special welcome for the bereaved families who visited Korea for the repatriation ceremony. Following the event, the families were invited to Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, where they experienced firsthand the development of Korea’s industry and mobility culture. Through a range of exhibitions, brand content, and media art programs, the families were able to naturally perceive how the sacrifices of their forebears have carried forward into everyday life and technological progress in modern Korea. This opportunity to witness the nation’s transformation and growth through direct experience demonstrates that honoring independence patriots is evolving beyond formal ceremony into a broader and more meaningful expression of remembrance.

The digitization of independence movement records is a key pillar of this initiative. To date, most historical documents serving as primary evidence of the achievements of independence patriots have been preserved as paper records or image files. As a result, researchers have had to examine original images—often decades old and, in some cases, more than a century old—one by one to locate relevant information, with keyword searches available for only a limited portion of the materials. Concerns over potential damage to these fragile originals have also been constant. Hyundai Motor Group spouth to overcome these limitations through technology. By leveraging its OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities, Hyundai is supporting the digitization of approximately 100,000 pages of independence movement records held by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. This technology is designed to scan text embedded in images, recognizing not only Korean but also handwritten English, and to extract key information—such as names, place names, organizations, and dates—into structured, searchable text. As a result, researchers will be able to locate relevant materials far more efficiently, while the comparison and analysis of extensive archival collections are expected to become significantly faster and more effective.

Through this digital transformation, aging documents can be preserved safely without the risk of damage, while the identification of independence patriots and the processes of verification and commendation are expected to become more accurate and efficient. The organized data will also serve as a foundation for expanded academic research and the development of independence movement–related content, marking a meaningful advancement in the preservation and utilization of historical records.

To help visitors honor independence patriots with greater ease and comfort, Hyundai Motor Group is also contributing to improved mobility access at national cemeteries. The Group has donated eco-friendly electric shuttle buses to both the Seoul and Daejeon National Cemeteries to support on-site transportation for visitors. In particular, low-floor electric buses were selected to minimize inconvenience for senior citizens, wheelchair users, and other visitors with mobility challenges as they move between burial sites. The exteriors of the shuttles feature designs that convey the significance of independence patriots and the spirit of national remembrance, transforming the act of traveling through the cemeteries into a meaningful journey of reflection and respect.

Employee participation has also continued. In June, during the Month of Patriots and Veterans, approximately 250 employees and family members from 18 Hyundai Group Motor affiliates took part in volunteer activities at the Seoul National Cemetery. Through grave-site maintenance, paying tribute to fallen patriots, and participating in guided programs, they spent meaningful time reflecting on the significance and values of national remembrance.

Hyundai Motor Group’s latest initiative weaves together ceremonial support for the repatriation of unsung heroes, the digital transformation of independence movement records, enhanced mobility access at national cemeteries, and employee volunteer engagement into a single, meaningful continuum—amplifying the significance of the 80th anniversary of Liberation. This new milestone in veterans’ support connects the sacrifices of the past with the technologies of the present and carries their meaning forward to future generations. This is the “Road to Remember” that Hyundai Motor Group continues to walk.