The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Monday it has selected Kim Kyung-tae (Order of Independence), Im Bong-ju (Order of Independence), Jang Doo-hwan (Order of Independence), and Park Je-seon (Order of Patriotic Merit) as the Independence Activists of July, honoring their dedication to training independence fighters, raising military funds, and waging armed struggle as members of Gwangbokhoe during Japanese colonial rule.
Gwangbokhoe, founded in August 1915, was a secret independence movement organization that led anti-Japanese efforts by establishing a military academy in Manchuria to train independence fighters and carrying out armed struggle, including the execution of pro-Japanese collaborators.
Kim Kyung-tae (1879–1921), a former soldier of the Korean Empire, participated in righteous army activities before joining Gwangbokhoe's Chungcheong Province chapter. Kim devoted himself to raising military funds and organizational activities, and waged armed struggle by directly taking part in operations to execute pro-Japanese collaborators. He was arrested, sentenced to death, and died for his country.
Im Bong-ju (1880–1921) was active in Gwangbokhoe's Gyeongsang Province chapter, handling military fund-raising and organizational liaison work. Im carried out fund-raising while connecting the Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces, and led armed struggle by participating in operations to execute pro-Japanese collaborators. Im was also arrested, sentenced to death, and died for his country.
Jang Doo-hwan (1894–1921) played a central role in expanding the organization and securing military funds for Gwangbokhoe's Chungcheong Province chapter. He rallied comrades across various regions of South Chungcheong Province and donated his own assets, while also preparing and supporting operations to execute pro-Japanese collaborators in backing the armed struggle. Jang was arrested and sentenced to death, but his sentence was reduced to 10 years in prison, and he died in prison.
Park Je-seon (1878–1938) established the Daedong Store, a key base of Gwangbokhoe's activities, laying the foundation for raising independence movement funds and operating the organization. He later moved to Manchuria to train independence fighters, and after his release from prison, continued independence activities in various parts of China. His anti-Japanese spirit was passed on to his two sons, contributing to laying the foundation for the armed independence movement in China and Manchuria.
To honor the merits of these patriots, the government posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, to Kim Kyung-tae, Im Bong-ju, and Jang Doo-hwan, and the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, to Park Je-seon.
