Marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan), a new edition of the memoir "Building the Path: 80 Years of Mindan" by the late Park Byung-heon, former president of the Mindan Central Headquarters, was published on August 31, 2026.

Based on his 2011 Japanese memoir, this edition features updated records and archival materials. August 31 holds historical significance, marking the anniversary of Mindan's preliminary founding meeting in 1946.

Born in Hamyang in 1928, Park moved to Japan at age 12 and graduated from Meiji University. In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, he volunteered for the Student Volunteer Army of Korean Residents in Japan and fought on the front lines, including the Incheon Landing Operation.

Following the war, Park dedicated his life to the Korean community in Japan, holding various leadership roles within Mindan, ultimately serving as Central Headquarters President. He spearheaded key advocacy efforts for Zainichi Koreans, such as improving legal status, abolishing mandatory fingerprinting, opposing North Korean repatriation, and supporting the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

The memoir details Mindan's history, legal negotiations, and interactions with South Korean and Japanese leaders. As an entrepreneur, Park founded Daesung Electric in Seoul in 1973, served on boards for Shinhan Bank and Chung-Ang University, and donated 12,000 cherry trees to his hometown.

Reflecting on his life, Park stated, "My life has been the history of Mindan." Mindan President Kim Yi-jung praised the book as a vital historical record, and Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong highlighted Park's legacy in Shinhan's growth. This work stands as a profound testament of a first-generation Zainichi Korean leader.

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