Draft The Independence Movement and Liberation

Korea100
이동: 둘러보기, 검색
Title Korea Stood Against Japan in Diverse Ways
Author 김광수



1차 원고

Korea stood against Japan in diverse ways

As Japan announced the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty on August 29, 1910, Korea was colonized by Japan. Since then, Korean people had to undergo suppressive rule of Japan. But numerous Korean leaders exerted strenuous efforts in and out of the country to avoid Japanese rule. Coupled with trends of world history, these endeavors resulted in the liberation of Korea on August 15, 1945.

Diverse independence movements were conducted in Korea and abroad until achieving liberation. Korean students studying in Japan declared Korean independence on February 8, 1918 in Tokyo. This declaration led to March 1 Independence Movement in the following year. In 1919, over 1,500 rallies and demonstrations for independence were held in Korea. Standing against ruthless suppression of Japan, armed independence groups engaged in anti-Japan armed struggles mainly in Manchuria and Primorskii.

Before and after the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty, several hundred educational organizations were established in Korea and abroad by independence activists. One of representative education activists was Ahn Chang-ho. He pioneered education of inspiring national consciousness and will for independence, while conducting independence activities.

The Korean provisional government established in China actively carried forward anti-Japan activities. Under its strategies, Lee Bong-chang carried out a heroic deed of throwing a bomb to parade of the Japanese king in Tokyo in January 1932, and Yun Bong-gil seriously damaged Japanese army commander and other high-ranking officials by throwing a bomb at a war victory ceremony in Shanghai, China in April of the same year. When the Pacific War broke out in December 1941, the provisional government declared war against Japan, and planned military operations to expel Japanese troops from Korea.

In Gando, China and Primorskii, Korean independence troops actively fought against Japan. Patriots Kim Jwa-jin, Kim Gyu-sik and Lee Beom-seok established the Northern Infantry Headquarters (북로군정서) to conduct independence activities and train soldiers of the independence army. Among numerous battles against Japanese army, the battle in Cheongsan-ri, Manchuria in October 1920 was the most victorious one when Korean troops killed over 1,200 Japanese soldiers.

Korean residents living in Americas also carried out independence movement led by Lee Seung-man. He appealed independence of Korea at many international conferences held in the United States, and requested the U.S. government to endorse the Korean provisional government. As Japan surrendered to the United States on August 11, 1945, Korea could be finally liberated from Japan on August 15, 1945.

감수본

Korea Stood Against Japan in Diverse Ways

When Imperial Japan announced the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty on August 29, 1910, Korea was officially colonized by Japan, and the Korean people were forced to endure its oppressive rule until August of 1945. However, numerous Korean leaders exerted strenuous efforts in and out of the country to defeat Japanese rule. Coupled with trends of world history, these endeavors resulted in the liberation of Korea on August 15, 1945.

Diverse independence movements and armed resistance fights continued throughout Korea and abroad until achieving liberation. Korean students studying in Japan declared Korean independence on February 8, 1918 in Tokyo, and this declaration led to the “March 1st Independence Movement” in the following year. In 1919, over 1,500 rallies and demonstrations for independence were held in Korea. Standing against ruthless Japanese suppression, armed independence groups engaged in anti-Japan armed struggles, mainly in Manchuria and Primorskii.

Before and after the Korea-Japan Annexation Treaty, several hundred educational organizations were established in Korea and abroad by independence activists. One of representative education activists was Ahn Chang-ho, who pioneered education programs that inspired national consciousness and will for independence.

The Korean provisional government established in China actively carried forward anti-Japan activities. Under its strategies, Lee Bong-chang carried out a heroic deed of throwing a bomb into a parade of the Japanese Emperor in Tokyo in January 1932. Meanwhile, Yun Bong-gil seriously damaged Japanese army commander and other high-ranking officials by throwing a bomb at a war victory ceremony in Shanghai, China in April of the same year. When the Pacific War broke out in December 1941, the provisional government declared war against Japan, and planned military operations to expel Japanese troops from Korea.

In the Gando and Primorskii areas now in China, Korean independence fighter troops actively fought against Japan. Patriots Kim Jwa-jin, Kim Gyu-sik and Yi Beom-seok established the Northern Infantry Headquarters to train soldiers and stage independence activities. Among numerous battles, the one in Manchuria in October 1920 is remembered as the most victorious one when Korean troops killed over 1,200 Japanese soldiers.

Korean residents living in America also carried out independence movement led by many activists including Syngman Rhee. Rhee appealed for Korean independence at many international conferences in the US, and called for its endorsement for the Korean provisional government. Rhee was inaugurated as the first president of the Republic of Korea in 1948 when the independent Korean government was established.