Independence War
Independence activists who fled the country established military academies to train independence fighters and organized military groups overseas. The independence forces increased their fighting strength through training, creation of infrastructure, and integration of different units. In 1920, they launched domestic infiltration campaigns in earnest and won engagements against regular Japanese troops in Fengwudong and Qingshanli in northeastern China.
Soldiers of the Chamuibu Military Stationed in Manchuria
circa 1920s.
Chamuibu was an armed independence group organized and active in Jian Prefecture, West Jiandao, China from 1924 to 1929. It is known to have had about 500 armed soldiers at the time it was formed. Its anti-Japanese activities included an attempt to assassinate Japanese Governor-General Saito Makoto, attacks on the Japanese military and police, destruction of Japanese government agencies, and fundraising for military purposes.
Weapons Used by the Independence Army
These are presumed to be weapons used by the independence forces during the Battle of Qingshanli in 1920. Pictured are rifles, ammunition, a Taegeukgi flag and a flag decorated with taegeuk(taiji) patterns and with “Uigun(義軍)”, Chinese characters meaning “Righteous Army.” Armed with modern weapons such as rifles purchased from Czech soldiers in Vladivostok, the independence forces won some victories against Japanese military units.
“Uiyeol” Struggle
The “Uiyeol” struggle referred to activities carried out by individuals or a small number of people at the risk of death to strengthen the independence forces and revitalize the movement. They always announced their purposes and the reasons for their deeds, and their targets were limited to major agencies or key figures that facilitated Japanese colonial rule, rather than many and unspecified persons. Regardless of their success or failure, it was a just struggle to make known the will of Koreans for their own independence and to convey a message of freedom and justice.
Commemorative Photo of Righteous Martyr Yun Bong-gil
(1908~1932) Joining
the Korean Patriotic Corps
1932. 4. 27.
This commemorative photo shows Yun Bong-gil joining the Korean Patriotic Corps, a special organization under the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. He holds a grenade and a pistol in each hand and poses in front of the Korean national flag. Around his neck, he has a written oath he made when he joined the organization. On April 29, 1932, two days after the photo was taken, Yun successfully carried out his heroic deed by throwing a bomb in Shanghai's Hongkou Park(now Lu Xun Park) and killing high-ranking Japanese military personnel.
Declaration of Joseon Revolution
1923. 1. 1.
Here Sin Chae-ho(1880~1936) wrote the ideology and strategies of independence efforts by the Heroic Corps. It says, "In order for Koreans to survive, we must expel the robber Japan, and revolution is a legitimate means." The Heroic Corps was formed in Jilin Province, China in November 1919 by Kim Won-bong(1898~1958) and others, and carried out heroic struggles against five targets for destruction and seven targets for assassination.
The Korean Liberation Army
The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea established the Korean Liberation Army in September 1940. The army inherited the lineage from the Korean Empire Army(forcibly dissolved by Imperial Japan in August 1907), righteous armies, and independence armies. The Liberation Army fought joint operations with the British on the Indo-Burmese front and pursued the Eagle Project, an operation to penetrate into Korea with the US Office of Strategic Services, as part of efforts to fight against Japan as a member of the allied forces.
Commemorative Photo of the Establishment Ceremony for the Korean Liberation Army
1940. 9. 17.
This photo shows the establishment ceremony of the Korean Liberation Army held at the Jialing Hotel in Chongqing, the wartime capital of China. Participants include key figures such as the president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, Kim Koo(1876~1949), and the commander-in-chief of the Korean Liberation Army, Ji Cheong-cheon(1888~1957) in the middle of the first row, as well as members of the army. On the right, four female Korean Liberation Army personnel can also be seen.
Taegeukgi with Kim Koo's Writings
and Seal
1941. 3. 16.
| Korea National Treasure No. 2141
Kim Koo, president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, gave this Taegeukgi to Maeusa(梅雨), a Belgian-born Catholic priest, on the occasion of his heading to America from Chongqing, China in 1941. Handwritten on the flag is Kim Koo’s message, asking Korean compatriots to support the Korean Liberation Army : “In order to resolve the sorrow of the loss of the nation and enjoy freedom and happiness, we should give all we have to the Korean Liberation Army to overthrow Japan and liberate Korea.”
