Group photo of the 13th Independence Merit Award Application Briefing Meeting

Co-hosted by the Liberation Association (Chairman Lee Jong-chan) and the National Incheon National University (President Park Jong-tae), the 13th Reward Application Briefing for 216 Independence Meriters was held at the Haksan Library of Incheon National University at 2 p.m. on February 17 (Mon).

Park Jong-tae, president of the National Incheon National University, said, "The independence movement history research institute of our school has been studying independence movements, discovering independence fighters, and applying for rewards for seven years. We signed a business agreement with the Korea Liberation Association two years ago to speed up the work. The fact that more than 5,000 people have applied for awards by discovering independence fighters is the result of the efforts of researchers, including the head of the Korea Independence Movement History Institute." Lee Wan-seok, head of the Incheon Metropolitan City Branch of the Korea Liberation Association, said, "The Korea Liberation Association opened the academic institute last year to actively conduct academic research and excavation projects related to the independence movement, and in particular, we thank the Korea Independence Movement History Institute for its hard work in discovering independence fighters in Incheon, and we will work with local governments such as Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to further revitalize the project to discover and apply for rewards for independence fighters." 

▲ Photos of the governors who applied for the reward imprisoned in Seodaemun Prison

The number of independence fighters who applied for the reward this time was 216, including 129 people suspected of violating the Public Security Law, 72 protesters of March 1 Independence Movement, and 15 others who suffered imprisonment for other crimes such as disturbance and violation of the order of well-being. By region, 57 people from Incheon, 36 from North and South Hamkyong Province, 33 from North Gyeongsang Province, 28 from South Chungcheong Province, and 40 from other regions, including 13 from Gimpo.  

Dr. Lee Tae-ryong, director of the Independent Movement History Research Institute, explained the overall application for the reward, saying, "Among those who applied for the reward, 57 people were found, including those who suffered imprisonment during the March 1 Independence Movement in Ganghwa Island, the largest in the country, and at the time at the Hwangeo Market in Janggi-ri, Gyeyang-myeon, Bucheon-gun (currently Gyeyang-gu, Incheon). In particular, Jang Yeon-sil (張然實), Deokgi (淳), Myung-soon (Myeong-dong), and Dong-won (Dongwon), who lived in Giljik-ri, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, suffered imprisonment while leading the March 1 Independence Movement in Ganghwa-do. His father Jang Yeon-sil and second son Myung-soon were rewarded, but his eldest son and third son applied for the reward this time. Governor Cho Bong-am (曺奉), who was arrested for leading the March 1 Independence Movement after five months of imprisonment and defected to China after being released from innocence and was arrested for seven years of imprisonment. Governor Yang Hyo-son (梁孝孫), who suffered two years of imprisonment, led the March 1 Independence Movement in Uiju, North Pyongan Province, and was the deputy head of the Independence Non-prefectural Youth Corps. After suffering imprisonment in June of January, he moved to Cheorwon, where he sent independence funds to the provisional government, built Cheorwon First Church to dedicate himself and served as an elder, and found 10 female 女工, including Governor Kim 黃英任, who was arrested for forming a so-called "red labor union" against the tyranny of the Japanese president in 1939 and was imprisoned at Seodaemun Prison." Said.

As a result, the National Institute of Independent Movement History of Incheon National University has applied to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs 13 times since 2019.