Jeonbuk Jangsu's Gimhae Kim Clan, Kim Byeonghui and Kim Gyosang Father and Son, Including Revolutionary Martyrs
Briefing Held on the 8th at the Independence Movement History Research Institute
President Jo Dongsung: "Discovering 1,000 People Annually, Will Rebirth as a National University"
From the top left: Yoon Gwi-ryong, Jang Seok-young, Han Kyung-ik governors. The three photos below are of Hwang Geum-bong governor [Provided by Incheon National University]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon National University is set to discover 737 independence patriots and apply for their commendation to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in commemoration of the 101st anniversary of the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.
According to Incheon National University on the 8th, the commendation applicants include 348 individuals recognized for their contributions to the March 1st Independence Movement, 234 individuals who engaged in anti-Japanese activities in the regions of Gando, Hamgyeong-do, and Gyeongsang-do such as the Jeongpyeong Youth Alliance and Andong Youth Alliance, and 73 individuals who contributed through anti-Japanese activities by fishermen and farmers in the first and second Chuja Island fishermen's uprisings and the Jeju Revolutionary Friends Alliance, totaling 737 people.
Incheon National University plans to submit approximately 30,000 court rulings issued by the Gyeongseong District Court or High Court concerning these individuals to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
Representative independence patriots include Kimhae Kim clan from Jangsu, Jeonbuk, the father and son Kim Byeonghee and Kim Gyosang from Yangsan, Gyeongnam, and the independence army lieutenant Gye Gi-hwa.
Although Kimhae Kim clan’s name was not recorded in genealogies or family registers, it was confirmed that she was the wife of Jeon Hae-san, an Uibyeong (righteous army) leader of the Honam alliance who was executed by hanging, and she endured severe oppression from the Japanese military.
When the remains of her husband, who was executed by hanging, were transported from Daegu Prison to Jangsu, Jeonbuk, she held a funeral. When the funeral bier crossed the stream in front of her house and entered the house, she committed suicide by taking poison, causing the bier to return, and thus a double bier funeral had to be held.
The father and son Kim Byeonghee and Kim Gyosang, Uibyeong leaders from Yangsan, Gyeongnam, were recognized for their contributions by supporting 5,000 won in funds equivalent to 2,000 seok of rice to the Seo Byeonghee Uibyeong unit and personally participating in battles against the Japanese army.
Gye Gi-hwa, an independence army lieutenant, participated in the Liaoning People's Self-Defense Army, a mixed Korean-Chinese unit, after attending the Tonghua County Military Academy in 1932, fighting against the Japanese army, and later joined the Joseon Revolutionary Army led by General Yang Se-bong, where he was seriously wounded.
Although materials summarizing and recording his life and independence army activities were published as important records by the Independence Hall, the owner of these records has yet to receive commendation.
Additionally, Hwang Geumbong, an independence activist from Myeongcheon, Hambuk, who endured over ten years of imprisonment in Seodaemun Prison (formerly Seodaemun Detention Center) through three separate incarcerations, is also included in this list.
On this day, Incheon National University held an opening ceremony for the Independence Movement History Research Institute at Michuhol Tower in Yeonsu-gu and conducted a briefing session on the commendation applicants.
Choi Yong-gyu, chairman of Incheon National University, stated, "We will continue to discover patriots and independence activists who appear in court rulings and Japanese surveillance target cards," and emphasized, "We also plan to work on discovering independence patriots from North Korea and the Gando region in cooperation with Yanbian University in China."
Lee Taeryong, director of the Independence Movement History Research Institute, explained, "There are limitations in confirming independence patriots who were tried in North Korea, but more than 70% of South Korean trial records have not yet been disclosed by the National Archives," adding, "Once these materials are released, it will help find more contributions of independence patriots."
Incheon National University Independence Movement History Research Institute Opens Photo by Incheon National University
Previously, Incheon National University discovered 765 independence patriots in two rounds last year.
Jo Dongseong, president of Incheon National University, has shown great interest in discovering independence patriots as he is related to Jo Maria, mother of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, who was his great-aunt (father’s aunt).
When former National Assembly member Choi Yong-gyu took office as chairman of Incheon National University’s foundation, President Jo invited Dr. Lee Yun-ok, who has devoted decades to researching female independence activists following Dr. Lee Taeryong, a researcher of the righteous army, to actively pursue the discovery of independence patriots.
President Jo said, "In just over a year of discovering independence patriots at our university, we have identified more than 1,500," and added, "We will continue to discover about 1,000 independence patriots annually and strive to become a national university representing the nation."
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