Anti-Japanese Righteous Army Movement
Angered by the invasion of Korea by Imperial Japan, Koreans began their independence
efforts with the righteous army movement. The righteous armies refer to people organizing
themselves to fight the invader. People from all walks of life, including the nobility, students,
and farmers, gathered to form righteous army units and fight against the Japanese army.
The fighting done by these righteous armies began in 1895 and took place across the
country, becoming more intense when they were joined by soldiers from the Korean Empire
Army, which was forcibly dissolved in 1907.
Photo of Righteous Army Soldiers, Taken by British War Correspondent F. A. McKenzie
1907. 10.
In this photo taken in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do in 1907, a commander, who wears the Korean Empire Army uniform, and boys and farmers in a variety of clothing strike a determined pose, armed with matchlocks. Prepared for death, these volunteer soldiers expressed their desire to fight the Japanese until the end, saying, “It is much better to die a free citizen than to live as a slave of Japan.”
Taegeukgi with Chinese Characters Meaning “Liberation is Not Tar off
(Bulwonbok)”
circa 1907. | State-Designated Heritage
This Taegeukgi is known to have been used by Go Gwang-sun, who was a righteous army general in Gurye, Jeollanam-do. Embroidered on top with the Chinese characters Meaning “Bulwonbok(不遠復)”, which means that liberation is not far off, it signifies the vow to restore national sovereignty.
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Patriotic Enlightenment Movement
As the nation continued to come under greater Japanese control, leading figures in Korean society sought to enhance the capabilities of the Korean people to defend national sovereignty. From the early 1900s, they began organizing a variety of patriotic enlightenment organizations and established schools to teach students. They also published newspapers and magazines to publicize the Japanese invasion and inspire patriotism.
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nd-Class Graduation Photo from Osan School
1911.
Osan School was founded in 1907 in Jeongju, Pyeonganbuk-do Province(presently in North Korea) by Lee Seung-hun(1864~1930). Students at Osan School developed skills and gained national consciousness. Though the photo was taken after Imperial Japan officially annexed the nation, the students pictured are holding the Taegeukgi in their hands, the symbol of Korea. The flags are also flown at the school.
Daehan Maeil Sinbo
(Korea Daily News)
1907. | State-Designated Heritage
First founded by a British journalist named Ernest T. Bethell in July 1904 to avoid Japanese censorship and suppression of the press, Daehan maeil sinbo(The Korea Daily News) was published until August 1910. Independence activists like Yang Gi-tak participated in such roles as managers and chief editor. It particularly focused on battles involving the righteous armies all over the country to promote national consciousness.
Struggles by Righteous Martyrs and Patriotic Martyrs
Koreans risked their lives to defend their independence and freedom. Those who committed righteous acts against Japanese or pro-Japanese Koreans who led the Japanese invasion into Korea are called “righteous martyrs,” regardless of their success or failure. Those who committed suicide in protest against the Japanese invasion are called “patriotic martyrs.”
Righteous Martyr An Jung-geun
(1879~1910) Right After the Heroic Deed in Harbin
1909.
A representative Korean independence activist, An Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea, in Harbin, China, in October 1909. While incarcerated, he wrote a treatise On Peace in the East, where he declared that he did the act for Korea's independence and peace in the East. As seen in the photo, the fourth finger of his left hand is short: he and 11 comrades cut off one joint to affirm their pledge.
Suicide Note by Min Young-hwan
(1861~1905), Chief of Equerry for the Korean Emperor
1905. | State-Designated Heritage
When Imperial Japan forced the Korean Empire to give up its diplomatic sovereignty, Min Young-hwan, then serving as chief of equerry for the Korean Emperor, killed himself in protest on November 30, 1905. This is his suicide note, written on his business card. Under the title of “Bidding Farewell to My 20 Million Compatriots of the Korean Empire,” he implores them to “join forces with each other to restore independence and freedom.”
