Remains of two independence activists to be returned

The tombstones of independence activists Kim Sung-kwon, left, and Kang Hye-won at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles. Following her husband’s last name, Kang Hye-won’s name is recorded as Kim Hye-won in Korean and Sarah Kim in English. / Yonhap

By Lee Jin-a

The remains of a couple who fought in the U.S. for Korea’s independence from Japanese occupation will be returned to Korea.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Monday that the bodies of Kang Hye-won and Kim Sung-kwon would be buried in Daejeon National Cemetery on Wednesday.

Kang Hye-won / The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

Kim Sung-kwon / The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

After a welcoming ceremony at Incheon International Airport at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the funeral will be held on afternoon.

Kang (1885-1982) formed a women’s patriotic organization in the U.S.

The organization raised funds to support the diplomatic and military activities of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai, China.

Her husband, Kim, a scholar, took charge of the finances of the Young Korean Academy (1875-1960).

The organization was founded by Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, an independence activist and one of the early leaders of the Korean-American immigrant community.

The Korean government awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation to Kang in 1995 and to Kim in 2002.

The ministry said the remains of about 131 independence fighters had been returned since Korea’s liberation in 1945.