Memoirs of independence activists published
This is a collection of memoirs of independence fighters published by the Institute of Korean Independence Movement Studies. / Courtesy of Independence Hall of Korea
By Kwon Ji-youn
The Institute of Korean Independence Movement Studies, an affiliate of the Independence Hall of Korea, has introduced its 60th independence activist biography to honor the 96th anniversary of Independence Movement Day, which falls on March 1.
The biographies were initially envisaged in 2005 to observe the 60th anniversary of Korea’s independence from Japan. The first of these was published in 2006.
This year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the country’s independence from Japan, the institute inched closer to its ambition of publishing 100 activist biographies with the release of its 60th memoir.
This particular memoir, written by Prof. Sin Ju-back of Yonsei University, details the life of Yi Si-yeong, the “righteous keeper of the provisional government.”
It describes Yi, pen-named Sungjae, as a man of veracity, one who made wise decisions that built for the future despite suffering. Yi was born into a prominent family but lived through a period of transition — from the country’s ruination to its colonization; exploitation to oppression; liberation to division.
And yet not once did he compromise his integrity for more personal aspirations.
The book details three major decisions that Yi made throughout his life, including his call to defect with his family to southern Manchuria, where he established a base for the anti-Japan guerrilla force and independence activists of the late Daehan (Korean) Empire who had defected to Manchuria.
It concludes by describing Yi’s term as the country’s first vice president from 1948 to 1951, and delineates the reason for his resignation. The institute noted that a handful of the activists featured in the 60 biographies so far may not be as familiar as Yi to the average Korean.
It hopes that the long-term project will direct heads to the country’s independence activists and the spirit of independence that these revolutionaries so keenly promulgated.
The institute said that when all 100 biographies have been unveiled, it believes the country will realize once again that the development and prosperity that the country enjoys today began with the suffering of independence activists who lived through a period of great national pain. It added that it is sure the world will find inspiration in their righteousness and guidance.
Independence Movement Day, also known as the March 1st Movement, was one of the earlier displays of Korean resistance during Japan’s occupation of Korea, which ended in 1945 with the end of World War II. The movement occurred in 1919, when a declaration of independence was read in Seoul and millions of Koreans, men and women, took part in peaceful anti-Japan rallies all over the peninsula.
Since the official designation of the day as a public holiday in 1949, on this day every year countrymen remember the people who fought for the country’s independence. 200 pages. 13,000 won. Published on Dec. 26, 2014.