Suwon-born female independence activists Kim Hyanghwa and Lee Seonggyeong have been selected by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs as the "Independence Activists of the Month for March 2026."
Suwon Museum previously uncovered historical facts related to the independence activities of Kim Hyanghwa, who led the Suwon Gisaeng Manse Movement, and Lee Seonggyeong, who led the student secret organization "Gukuk Mindan" (National Salvation People’s Corps). Based on these findings, the museum applied to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for commendations, which resulted in Kim Hyanghwa receiving the Presidential Citation in 2009 and Lee Seonggyeong being awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, in 2012.
Kim Hyanghwa (Kim Hyanghwa, 1897~?), then head of the Suwon Gisaeng Association, grieved more than anyone over the death of Emperor Gojong and, together with Suwon gisaengs, performed a wailing rite in front of Daehanmun Gate. On March 29, 1919, in front of Jahye Hospital (now Bongsudang Hall at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace), she led about 30 Suwon gisaengs and loudly shouted "Long Live Korean Independence." She was arrested on this occasion and served a six-month prison term.
Lee Seonggyeong (Lee Seonggyeong, 1902~1921) was born in Sanru-ri, Suwon-myeon, and graduated from Suwon Public Elementary School (now Sinpung Elementary School). During the March 1st Movement, she was in charge of liaison duties under Kim Saehwan, one of the national representatives. In 1920, she joined Park Seontae and others to form "Gukuk Mindan," an organization dedicated to the independence of Korea, and carried out secret activities. She was arrested by the Japanese colonial police, and while serving her prison sentence, she died at the age of 19 after being unable to withstand brutal torture.
Suwon-born female independence activists and martyrs Kim Hyanghwa and Lee Seonkyung selected as the Independence Activists of the Month for March
To widely promote Suwon’s independence movement, Suwon Museum is presenting related artifacts and video materials in the permanent exhibition gallery on Suwon’s history under the theme "Independence Activists of Suwon."
To honor Kim Hyanghwa and Lee Seonggyeong, who have been selected as the Independence Activists of the Month for March this year, marking the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, Suwon Museum will screen video content about the two women’s independence activities in the museum lobby and install a photo zone featuring a model of a Manse demonstration until March 31.
Last year, to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, Suwon Museum donated photo frames, which had been produced for the exhibition "National Representative Kim Saehwan, Met Again," a re-examination of Kim Saehwan, one of the 48 national representatives during the March 1st Movement, to the Kim Saehwan Memorial Association so they could be used in commemorative projects and exhibitions.
A Suwon Museum official said, "The selection of Kim Hyanghwa and Lee Seonggyeong as the Independence Activists of the Month for March 2026 designated by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is the fruit of Suwon City’s ongoing efforts to discover female independence movements and to publicize them," adding, "We will continue to discover independence activists from Suwon and work to widely promote their achievements."
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