'July 24 Bumin-gwan Uigeo'... Gyeonggi Province Announces 34 Independence Activists of the Year

Gyeonggi Province has announced the names of 34 individuals among this year's "80 Independence Activists" to commemorate July 24, "Bumin-gwan Uigeo Day," which marks the last militant act of resistance during the Japanese colonial period. With this announcement, the total number of disclosed independence activists has risen to 77. Gyeonggi Province plans to reveal the final three names on Liberation Day, August 15.

As part of the 80th anniversary of Liberation, Gyeonggi Province, in collaboration with the Gyeonggi branch of the Liberation Association, is sequentially announcing 80 independence activists from the region on major independence-related commemorative days to highlight their achievements. This latest announcement follows previous ones made on March 1 (Samiljeol), April 11 (Provisional Government Establishment Day), and June 1 (Uibyeong Day).

The Bumin-gwan Uigeo refers to an act of resistance that took place at Bumin-gwan in Seoul in 1945, during the final days of Japanese imperialism. It was the last armed anti-Japanese independence movement of the colonial era, sending a warning to the Governor-General of Korea and pro-Japanese collaborators. Park Chun-geum, a notorious pro-Japanese traitor, was scheduled to hold the "Asia National Spirit Rally" at Bumin-gwan on July 24 to pledge loyalty to Japan. In response, Jo Moon-gi, Yoo Mansoo, and Kang Yoon-guk formed the Daehan Aeguk Cheongnyeondang, planted a bomb at the venue, and detonated it during a speech, causing the event to collapse.

Jo Moon-gi, a patriot who participated in the act, was born in Suwon and was selected as one of the 80 independence activists from Gyeonggi Province on April 11 (Provisional Government Establishment Day).

Among the individuals announced this time, Lee Gyuchae, an independence activist from Pocheon, went into exile in Shanghai after the March 1st Movement and served as a member of the Provisional Assembly of the Korean Provisional Government. He later organized the Shinhan Independence Party with Shin Ikhee and others, and was elected as the chairman of the inspection committee. In 1935, he was arrested by the Japanese police and imprisoned in Gyeongseong Prison.

Kim Se-hwan, an independence activist from Suwon, established Samil School and Suwon Commercial School, dedicating himself to educating future generations while also engaging in the independence movement. As one of the 48 national representatives, he led the March 1st Movement and was arrested by Japanese police. He also served as the head of the Suwon branch of the Singanhoe and as president of the Suwon Sports Association, becoming a leading figure in the Suwon area.

Dr. Cha Byung-hyuk, following the nationwide independence demonstrations after March 1, 1919, encouraged local residents to participate in the protests. He led demonstrations at the Jangan-myeon office in Hwaseong City, and, together with local residents, formed a large protest group of over 1,000 people, shouting for independence. He was later arrested after leading intense demonstrations, including attacks on police substations, and endured years of imprisonment.

Other notable figures announced by Gyeonggi Province include: Kim Gyo-shin, a non-church movement leader who published Seongseo Joseon to criticize Japanese rule; Jeon Hyup, who formed the Daedongdan and attempted to help Prince Uichin escape to Shanghai; Shin Deok-young, who wrote the lyrics to the "March of the Fatherland" as a member of the Liberation Army and participated in joint Korean-American training; Kwon O-don, who was active in the Shanghai anti-Japanese secret society and the Chungju Literary Movement; Kim Young-seon, who participated in the Shinminhoe and served as a military affairs committee member of the Provisional Government as a Daejonggyo believer; Shin Ak, a member of the Uiyeoldan who served in the Korean Volunteer Army and the 1st Detachment of the Korean Liberation Army; Kim Gong-shin, a first class graduate of the Korean Revolutionary Military Officers School who conducted intelligence activities in Korea; Im Myun-soo, a Shinminhoe member who helped establish the Sinheung Military Academy in Manchuria; Jo Si-je, son of Jo So-ang, who was active in the Korean Liberation Youth Task Force; Eom Ki-seon, daughter of Eom Hang-seop and Yeon Mi-dang, who conducted propaganda activities in the Provisional Government; Jeong In-gyo, who led the torchlight independence movement at Hambansan in Gimpo; Jo Yong-joo, younger brother of Jo So-ang, who participated in the Daedongdan in Shanghai and the Provisional Government; Lee Dae-heon, who led the March 1st Movement in Gwangju; Lee Deok-gyun, village chief of Gogi-ri, who led the March 1st Movement; brothers Hong Jong-wook and Hong Jong-yeop, Ahn Jong-gak, Choi Sang-geun, and Lee Eun-pyo, who led the March 1st Movement in Yongin; Hong Soon-chil, who led the March 1st Movement in Suam-myeon, Ansan; Jeong Tae-shin, who led the national enlightenment movement through the Joseon Labor Mutual Aid Association and the Japanese Korean Student Friendship Association; Yoo Young-chang, who led the March 1st Movement in Iljuk-myeon, Anseong; Lee Gyu-jun, a graduate of the Sinheung Military Academy who raised military funds; Lee Soon-il, who punished Japanese police during the Hwaseong March 1st Movement; Shin Jae-won, a Cheondogyo believer who led the March 1st Movement in Yangpyeong; Kim Yun-won, who organized the Korean Friendship Association in Mexico and supported independence funds; Yoon Seok-bong, who served as a staff officer in Min Jong-sik's volunteer army; Lee Heung-rok, who led the March 1st Movement at Gwangneungcheon in Yangju; and Jang Sam-soo, Jeong Hong-moon, and Jo Gu-won, who led the March 1st Movement in Ganghwa, Gyeonggi Province.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province will hold a Liberation Day celebration under the theme "The Light We Regained, Properly and Uprightly" at the Grand Theater of the Gyeonggi Arts Center at 10:30 a.m. on August 15. During the celebration, a creative musical performance will unveil the 80th hero, and the lobby will feature videos of the 80 activists restored using artificial intelligence (AI).

Additionally, Gyeonggi Province plans to continue to rediscover hidden independence heroes and the history of the independence movement in the region by identifying participants who have not yet been officially recognized, applying for official honors, and collecting oral histories and historical materials from the descendants of independence activists.