September Independence Activists Selected as 'Gwangbokgun Couple'

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on the 30th that it has selected An Chunsaeng and Jo Sunok, as well as Park Youngjun and Shin Sunho, couples who were active together in the Korean Liberation Army, as the independence activists of September 2024.

Park Jun-young (Graduate of the Chinese Military Academy, 1941, center of the first row)

An Chunsaeng, born in 1912 in Byeokseong, Hwanghae Province, was the second son of An Janggeun, a cousin of the independence activist An Junggeun. After fleeing to Manchuria in 1918, he served in the Chinese army before joining the Korean Liberation Army. In 1942, he was appointed commander of the 1st Unit of the 2nd Detachment of the Korean Liberation Army and collaborated with the United States to promote domestic invasion operations.

Jo Sunok, born in 1923 in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, was the daughter of independence activist couple Jo Siwon and Lee Sunsung. As her father participated in the founding of the Korean Liberation Army, she naturally enlisted in the Korean Liberation Army. She met An Chunsaeng and married him, and from 1942, she served as a member of the 1st Unit of the 2nd Detachment of the Korean Liberation Army, active in the same unit as her husband.

Park Youngjun (pictured), born in 1915 in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, was the son of Park Chanik, who was active in the Provisional Government. In 1938, he participated in the Korean Liberation Front Youth Corps and engaged in anti-Japanese activities. From 1945, he served as commander of the 1st Unit of the 3rd Detachment of the Korean Liberation Army. His wife, Shin Sunho, was born in 1922 in Cheongwon, Chungcheongbuk Province, and was the daughter of independence activist couple Shin Geonsik and Oh Sunhae. After the founding of the Korean Liberation Army, she worked at the General Headquarters. In 1940, she met Park Chanik and developed a relationship with his son, Park Youngjun, eventually marrying him.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs evaluated, "The two couples of the Korean Liberation Army, united by their anti-Japanese spirit, carried on the independence movement across generations, and their strong comradeship and spirit of sacrifice led to the liberation of the homeland."

The government posthumously awarded the Order of Independence to An Chunsaeng and Park Youngjun, and the Order of Patriotism to Jo Sunok and Shin Sunho.