By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has selected Yang Han-muk (1862-1919) as the Independence Fighter of the month in consultation with the Korea Liberation Association and the Independence Hall of Korea. Yang is one of 33 people who led a nationwide independence movement against Japanese colonial rule of Korea on March 1, 1919.
Born in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Yang studied several religions, including the Buddhism and Roman Catholicism. In 1898, he went to Japan to study and met several political refugees of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), such as Kwon Dongjin and Oh Sae-chang, who were spearheading an enlightenment movement for national salvation.
He also met Son Byung-hi, founder of the Donghak religion, and joined the religion, which fomented a rebellion against Western influence in Korea and specifically against Roman Catholicism, and the Japanese
invaders. Donghak was later renamed Cheondo.
He led the March 1 Independence Movement and signed the declaration of independence.
He was arrested during a rally in Seoul with other independence fighters. About two million Koreans had participated in a series of demonstrations that spread throughout the country before the Japanese finally suppressed the movement a year later, according to historical records.
About 7,000 people were killed by Japanese police and soldiers, records say.
Yang died in May 16, 1919, after being tortured by Japanese police. He was posthumously awarded the Independence Medal of Honor for the National Foundation in 1962.