'77th Gwangbokjeol Anniversary' Take a Historical Journey in Hampyeong

Singwangmyeon Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum and Ilgang Kim Cheol Teacher Memorial Hall Interest

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the 15th, marking the 77th anniversary of Liberation Day, the ‘Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum’ and the ‘Ilgang Kim Cheol Memorial Hall’ located in Hamjeong-ri, Singwang-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, are emerging as popular destinations for historical travel.

According to the county on the 10th, during the Liberation Day holiday, it is recommended to visit the ‘Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum’ and the ‘Ilgang Kim Cheol Memorial Hall’ to reflect on the history of the anti-Japanese independence movement and the lives of independence activists.

First, the ‘Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum’ is a space that faithfully reproduces the fourth office building used by the Provisional Government in Shanghai, which was also the building used for the longest period.

It holds special significance as the first place in Korea to reproduce the Provisional Government office, and it opened in 2009 in Hamjeong-ri, Singwang-myeon, Hampyeong-gun.

The museum covers a total area of 876㎡ and is a three-story building. At the entrance stands a statue of Kim Gu, and in the front yard, there is a commemorative statue of General Ahn Jung-geun.

The building consists of three floors and three exhibition rooms. Inside, the office of Kim Gu, the government office, meeting rooms, restrooms, and bedrooms used as temporary lodging by independence activists such as Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil are reproduced exactly as they appeared 100 years ago.

Next to the Provisional Government office building, the Independence Movement History Museum displays photos of the brutal torture carried out by the Japanese, photos of independence fighters taking commemorative photos in front of the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag), and materials related to the Hampyeong Munjang 4·8 Independence Movement. In each exhibition room, visitors can participate in a historical experience by finding independence activists and receiving mission stamps.

Near the Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum is also the Ilgang Kim Cheol Memorial Hall.

Built in 2003, this memorial hall allows visitors to explore the life of Ilgang Kim Cheol, a representative independence activist from the Honam region.

Ilgang Kim Cheol was born in 1886 in Gubong Village, Hamjeong-ri, Singwang-myeon. He participated in the establishment of the Provisional Government and led the heroic acts of Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil alongside Baekbeom Kim Gu.

He continued to actively engage in the independence movement by organizing groups such as the Sisa Chaekjinhoe and the Korean Independence Party with Kim Gu and Ahn Chang-ho. However, he passed away at the age of 48 in Hangzhou, China, in 1934 due to pneumonia caused by overwork.

The memorial hall exhibits illustrations depicting his life, his portrait and sayings, photographic materials from the founding of the Shinhan Youth Party in 1918, early activity photos and relics of the Provisional Government, among others.

County Governor Sang-ik Lee said, “At the ‘Shanghai Provisional Government Office History Museum and Ilgang Kim Cheol Memorial Hall’ in Singwang-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, you can see the history of the anti-Japanese independence movement at a glance,” and added, “We will support various aspects such as developing educational and experiential programs so that this place can establish itself as a leading center for historical education in Jeollanam-do.”