Mayor Lee Pilhyung of Dongdaemun-gu Meets Descendant of Independence Activist on Wangsanno in Front of Cheongnyangni Station

Dongdaemun-gu Welcomes Heo Wi’s Grandson
Commemorating Independence by Walking Together on Wangsanno

Wangsanno, a major arterial road in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, is a historic street named to honor the spirit of independence activist Heo Wi (1854-1908). Stretching approximately 3.2 kilometers from Sinseol-dong Rotary to Cheongnyangni Station Sijo Intersection, Wangsanno is a six- to eight-lane thoroughfare that serves as a key east-west transportation axis in Dongdaemun-gu.

The name Wangsanno originates from Heo Wi (pen name: Wangsan), a militia leader at the end of the Korean Empire who led the Seoul Advance Operation of the 13 Provinces Righteous Army. In 1962, the government officially named the road Wangsanno to commemorate his anti-Japanese spirit. At the time, Heo Wi, a native of Seonsan in Gyeongsang Province, played a pivotal role in igniting the independence movement by leading the Eulmi and Jeongmi Righteous Army campaigns.

Heo Vladislav, grandson of Teacher Heowi, who visited Wangsanno in Dongdaemun-gu, and Lee Pilhyung, mayor of Dongdaemun-gu (left). Provided by Dongdaemun-gu.

On August 19, Dongdaemun-gu welcomed Heo Vladislav (age 75), the grandson of Heo Wi, to this road. In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, the mayor’s office hosted a meaningful commemorative event with Heo Vladislav as a special guest. The event was also attended by Kim Hodong, President of the Gyeonggi Province branch of the Liberation Association, Cha Byeongcheol, President of the Dongdaemun branch of the Liberation Association, and other representatives of independence merit recipients, who paid tribute to Wangsan’s noble spirit of independence and expressed gratitude and respect for the honorees.

The attendees moved to Wangsanno, the only road in Seoul named after a militia leader from the late Korean Empire, and walked together to reflect on Heo Wi’s legacy. It was an emotional moment as the grandson retraced, in a free and just Republic of Korea, the very path his grandfather had marched with the militia 118 years ago.

Heo Vladislav stated, “Although I never met my grandfather in person, I have never once forgotten his spirit,” adding, “I take greater pride in being the grandson of militia leader Heo Wi than in my own name.” Currently residing in Kyrgyzstan, he shared that the descendants of Wangsan, scattered by Japanese and Soviet forces, now live in various regions around the world.

Wangsan Heo Wi rose to the position of Acting Chief Justice of the Pyeongniwon (now equivalent to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) at the end of the Korean Empire. After the Eulmi Incident, he organized militias and led the anti-Japanese struggle. In particular, in 1908, he united more than 10,000 militia members from across the country to launch the Seoul Advance Operation.

The route from 30 ri (approximately 12 kilometers) outside Dongdaemun to Hansungbu at that time corresponds to today’s Wangsanno. Although the campaign ultimately failed, this resistance became the spark for the national sovereignty restoration movement and served as a spiritual guide for countless subsequent independence movements. In recognition of his achievements, Heo Wi was posthumously awarded the Republic of Korea Medal-the highest Order of Merit for National Foundation-in 1962.

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “It is deeply meaningful and an honor to welcome a descendant of Wangsan in person. We will never forget that today’s freedom and prosperity are possible thanks to the noble sacrifices of our forebears, and at the district level, we will continue to honor independence merit recipients and their descendants and strive to carry on the spirit of independence.”

Meanwhile, Dongdaemun-gu is currently undertaking a project to create a “Street of Light” nighttime attraction along Wangsanno, both to honor Wangsan’s spirit and to enhance the district’s urban brand value. The project includes installing media facilities at Cheongnyangni Station Plaza, improving landscape lighting at the Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market’s main gate, and adding gobo lights to pedestrian walkways. Full-scale production and installation are scheduled to begin in October this year.

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, and Mr. Vladislav Heo and his party are walking on Wangsanno sidewalk. Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.