Gyeonggi Province Unveils Two Women's Historical Exploration Trails: "Paju Im Myeongae-gil" and "Suwon Women's Damgil"

Gyeonggi Province has unveiled two women's historical exploration trails.

The Gyeonggi Women's Vision Center held the 'Opening Ceremony for the Gyeonggi Women's Historical Exploration Trails' on the 27th and opened two trails to the public: the Paju Im Myeongae-gil and the Suwon Women's Damgil.

The Gyeonggi Women's Historical Exploration Trails were created to highlight women who contributed to society in diverse fields such as education, welfare, culture and arts, and the independence movement. These trails reinterpret the lives of these women as local cultural assets.

The trails were established in two locations: Paju in the north and Suwon in the south.

The 'Paju Im Myeongae-gil' in Paju is a 1-kilometer section in the Gyoha-dong area, focusing on the activities of independence activist Im Myeongae, who led the first March 1st Movement in Paju.

During the development process, the birthplace of Im Myeongae was identified for the first time and a signboard was installed. The trail also introduces female independence activists from the Gaeseong region (then part of Gyeonggi Province), such as Shim Youngsik, Eo Yunhui, and Jo Gyelim, who were imprisoned together with Im Myeongae in Cell No. 8 at Seodaemun Prison, thus conveying hope for renewed exchanges between women of North and South Korea.

The 'Suwon Women's Damgil' in Suwon is a course of about 3 kilometers, starting from the 'An Jeomsun Memorial Room' inside the Suwon Family Women's Center in Paldal-gu, and connecting Sanluri-gil, Jongno Church, and Maehyang Women's Information High School, among others.

The An Jeomsun Memorial Room is the first memorial space for victims of military sexual slavery established by a local government. It exhibits the life of Yongdam An Jeomsun, who was a women's rights activist raising awareness of the Japanese military comfort women issue as a survivor herself.

Gyeonggi Suwon Women's Damgil Guide Poster

After visiting the Memorial Room and following the Suwon Women's Damgil, visitors can encounter the sisters Lee Hyunkyung and Lee Seonkyung, independence activists during the Japanese colonial period, on Sanluri-gil. Next, in front of Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung and Jongno Church, visitors are introduced to independence activists Kim Hyanghwa and Kim Myerye, as well as Mary Scranton, Korea's first foreign female missionary and founder of Ewha Hakdang.

At Maehyang Women's Information High School, which was Samil Girls' School during the Japanese colonial era, visitors are guided to learn about painter Na Hyesok and independence activist Cha Injae, both of whom graduated from this school.

The design of the trails prioritized convenient routes for visitors, and sculptures were installed in consultation with Paju and Suwon city governments. This year, the focus was on creating sections that are accessible by foot.

Lee Jihyun, Director of the Gyeonggi Women's Vision Center, stated, "Since history has mainly been recorded from a male perspective, the creation of women's historical exploration trails is significant in revealing the existence and activities of women that have not been properly documented. I hope this will serve as an opportunity for our society to further respect the roles of women who have cared for their communities."