South Korea's government said Wednesday it has offered citizenship to 38 descendants of 10 independence fighters who fought against Japanese colonial rule in the early part of the 20th century.

The country is preparing to mark the 71st anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) on Aug. 15.

The Ministry of Justice said the selected people include descendants of diplomat Yi Wi-jong, who was chosen to attend a peace conference of major nations at The Hague in 1907, although he was blocked by the Japanese from doing so.

Yi, instead, approached journalists and representatives of other countries with two other envoys and explained the atrocities committed by Japanese colonists in Korea.

The ministry said among those eligible for naturalization, 32 are currently Russian citizens, while five hold Chinese citizenship and one is from the United States.

"We should not forget that the freedom, peace and prosperity we enjoy today are fruits of the sacrifice of the patriots who fought for independence," Justice Minister Kim Hyun-woong said.

"Amid the rising security threats from North Korea, I hope every citizen establishes strict security awareness and historical perception so as to contribute to the development of the country," Kim said.

Since the ministry first allowed descendants of independence fighters to become naturalized in 2006, it has offered South Korean citizenship to 970 people as of last month. (Yonhap)