South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed a strong support Tuesday for independence fighters and their bereaved families, one day before the Liberation Day to mark the 73rd anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.

Moon made the pledge at a lunch meeting with about 240 people, including 13 living patriots and independence fighters as well as their descendants living at home and abroad, according to the presidential Blue House.

The South Korean president said the country's proud history, which recovered its sovereignty through independence movement against the Japanese colonization, was made by the invitees and their ancestors.

He noted that treating those who sacrificed themselves for the country with honor was not only a responsibility of the country but also the best investment for the future as how the families of independence fighters live currently is an impetus for patriotism of the next generation.

Moon said treating national heroes and their families well is the root to build a strong nation, adding that treating them well would start with an expanded financial support.

As promised, Moon said, the government increased its special allowances to independence fighters and patriots as well as their bereaved families by 50 percent, while providing financial support to some 17,000 people to allow the three generations of independence fighters to live stably.

He also vowed to continue to find the forgotten national heroes, including student and female patriots.