Order of Merit for Independence Awarded to General Hong Beom-do's Son and Wife

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The son and wife of General Hong Beom-do, a hero of the Battle of Bongodong and the Battle of Cheongsanri, will receive the Order of Merit for National Foundation.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 25th, to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the March 1st Movement this year, 275 people including them will be awarded as independence patriots. Among them are 136 recipients of the Order of Merit for National Foundation (28 for the Patriotic Medal, 108 for the National Medal), 24 recipients of the National Foundation Medal, and 15 recipients of the Presidential Citation, including 33 women. There are no surviving patriots.

The awardees include Dan-yang Yi clan (丹陽李氏), the wife of General Hong, and his son, Mr. Hong Yang-sun. Mr. Hong joined General Hong Beom-do’s militia unit in Bukcheong, Hamnam in 1907 and fought against the Japanese army. He died in battle against the Japanese army in Jeongpyeong, Hamnam in 1908. Dan-yang Yi clan was arrested in March 1908 in Bukcheong, Hamnam, in connection with her husband’s militia activities and died from severe torture during interrogation. Their merits, who will receive the Patriotic Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation, were confirmed through materials such as the “Hong Beom-do Diary” (transcribed by Lee In-seop, 1958) preserved at the Independence Hall.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the “Hong Beom-do Diary” includes the content: "At that time, Yang-sun was a company commander. On May 18 at 12 o’clock, my son Yang-sun died."

In addition, Mr. Park Do-cheol, who died shouting for independence, will be posthumously awarded the Patriotic Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation, and Mr. Kim No-di, who worked for national independence and gender equality in the United States, will also be posthumously awarded the Patriotic Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation. The orders, medals, and presidential citations will be presented to the bereaved families respectively at the central ceremony for the 102nd anniversary of the March 1st Movement and at ceremonies hosted by local governments.