Twenty-three descendants of independence fighters have acquired South Korean citizenship and are set to embark on a new journey.

The Ministry of Justice announced today (the 13th) that it awarded citizenship certificates to 23 descendants of independence activists from five countries—12 from China, 5 from Russia, 3 from Kazakhstan, 2 from Uzbekistan, and 1 from Cuba—at the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

This event was arranged to honor the sacrifices and dedication of patriotic forebears on the 81st Liberation Day and to celebrate their descendants making a fresh start as citizens of the Republic of Korea.

Among those who acquired citizenship are descendants of Kim Gyeong-cheon, who served as an instructor at the Shinheung Military Academy to nurture independence fighter talents and led armed anti-Japanese struggles; Shin Suk, who participated in the proofreading, printing, and distribution of the Declaration of Independence during the March 1st Movement; and Jeon Il, who dedicated himself to anti-Japanese media and propaganda activities and the collection of independence movement funds in Manchuria and Primorsky Krai.

A descendant of Kwon Sang-ik, who devoted efforts to the anti-Japanese missionary work of Daejonggyo and supported national movements in Manchuria, also acquired South Korean citizenship.

Kwon Seong-ja, a descendant of Kwon Sang-ik who gave a speech on behalf of the recipients that day, said, "Keeping the sacrifice and dedication of our independence fighter ancestors in our hearts, I consider it a great honor to become a citizen of the Republic of Korea," adding, "As a South Korean citizen, I will respect liberal democracy and the rule of law while carrying on the patriotic spirit of our forebears."

The event was attended by 130 people, including lawmaker Kim Young-man of the Democratic Party, who is the great-grandson of Independence Activist Kim Gu, and the families of the recipients.

The Korea Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice has awarded citizenship certificates to a total of 1,448 descendants of independence fighters, including those designated today, since 2004.

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho stated, "Granting South Korean citizenship to the descendants of independence fighters is a meaningful task that remembers the noble aspirations of our forebears and continues the historical ties between their descendants and the Republic of Korea," and added, "We will continue to actively discover descendants of independence fighters and support their acquisition of citizenship."

※ Merits of the 15 independence fighters whose 23 descendants acquired South Korean citizenship (More detailed information can be found through materials published on the Ministry of Justice website.)

1) Kim Gyeong-cheon (June 1888 – January 1942)
- Flocked to Manchuria and actively threw himself into the independence movement following the February 8 Declaration of Independence in 1919.
- Served as an instructor at the Shinheung Military Academy, striving to foster armed struggle talents and strengthen military foundations.
- Strove to rebuild anti-Japanese capabilities in Vladivostok before being arrested by Soviet authorities and suffering imprisonment.

2) Shin Suk (December 1885 – November 1967)
- Participated in activities to proofread, print, and domestically distribute the Declaration of Independence during the March 1st Movement in 1919.
- Contributed to the unification of independence movement forces by serving as the chairperson of the Military Unification Conference in 1921.
- Waged armed resistance through organizing the Korean Independence Party and serving as the chief of staff of the Korean Independence Army in 1930.

3) Jeon Il (December 1893 – May 1938)
- Migrated to Manchuria following the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 and carried out the independence movement while working as a teacher at Gwangseong School.
- Participated in the founding of the Korean Socialist Party in 1918 and devoted efforts to anti-Japanese media activities and fund-raising for the military.
- Conducted anti-Japanese organizational activities in 1919 as a secretary of the Korean National Assembly and the leader of a secret youth society.

4) Choi Byeong-su (July 1876 – April 1919)
- Planned a market day demonstration in Seonjang on April 4, 1919, and read the Declaration of Independence in front of the crowd.
- Led the protest by leading shouts for Korean independence before being arrested and taken away by Japanese military police.
- Devoted himself to the anti-Japanese independence movement by passing away due to the torture of Japanese military police at the police substation.

5) Choi I-bung (November 1897 – July 1973)
- Participated in the Cheolhyeol Gwangbokdan in 1919, striving to organize death-defying squads and recruit members around Jiandao.
- Organized a youth association and actively urged compatriots to boycott jobs and participate in the anti-Japanese movement.
- Elected as the head of the Jeokgidan in 1921, leading the establishment of branches across Manchuria and armed activities.

6) Choi Jae-hyeong (August 1860 – April 1920)
- Participated in the Danji Alliance with Ahn Jung-geun and others in 1909 and waged armed struggle by supporting operations to advance into the Korean Peninsula.
- Elected as the first finance minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in 1919 and led the organization of the Independence Corps.
- Martyred as a leader of the anti-Japanese independence movement in Primorsky Krai after being arrested and executed by firing squad by the Japanese military in 1920.

7) Lee Yeo-song (Unknown – February 1936)
- Participated in the anti-Japanese armed independence movement by joining the Korean Revolutionary Army aimed at reorganizing military organizations and building a revolutionary front in the 1930s.
- Contributed to strengthening the foundation of armed struggle by being in charge of purchasing weapons as an adjutant of the 1st Division.
- Martyred while engaging in combat with the Japanese military at the Ji'an County Battle in 1936.

8) Lim Cheon-taek (March 1903 – September 1985)
- Carried out the independence movement centered around the Cuba Regional Chapter of the Korean National Association after moving to Cuba in 1922.
- Strove for national education targeting Korean compatriots and youths by establishing the Minseong Korean Language School and Youth Academy.
- Participated in the anti-Japanese movement through activities in the Korean Women's Patriotic Society and the United Korean Committee in America in 1938.

9) Cho Geun-baek (March 1872 – June 1908)
- Participated in Jeong Yong-gi's Sannam Righteous Army in 1906, waging anti-Japanese struggles across Yeongju, Cheongsong, and Jinbo.
- Plotted a comeback by going into hiding after the righteous army was disbanded following the Ipam Battle in 1907.
- Martyred after being captured by the Japanese military at his home in 1908 and shot to death on the spot.

10) Kwon Sang-ik (November 1900 – May 1943)
- Migrated to Milsan County, Manchuria, in 1913, joined Daejonggyo, and participated in supporting the independence movement.
- Strove to support Daejonggyo's anti-Japanese missionary activities and national movements following the Manchurian Incident.
- Arrested alongside Daejonggyo leaders in connection with the Korean Language Society incident in 1942.

11) Nam In-sang (1868 – May 1951)
- Acted as one of the 17 national representatives of Korean compatriots in North and South Manchuria in Longjing in 1919.
- Participated in proclaiming declarations and proclamations of independence and developing protest movements during the March 13 Manse Movement.
- Strove for anti-Japanese activities such as raising military funds and training independence fighters as a member of the Korean National Association.

12) Shin Hong-gyun (1881 – 1940)
- Moved to Changbai County, Manchuria, in 1911 and carried out anti-Japanese movements belonging to Wonjonggyo and Daejindan.
- Led some 500 Wonjonggyo followers to join Ji Cheong-cheon's Korean Independence Army in 1933, serving as a military doctor at the Battle of Daejeonryong.
- Continued anti-Japanese activities until the 1930s around Yongan, Muling, and Milsan, and raised anti-Japanese awareness among Koreans by holding reading circles.

13) Choi Hyeon-gu (May 1898 – January 1941)
- Participated in the independence movement carrying a flag inscribed with "Long Live Korean Independence" alongside a protest crowd of about 200 people around Ilshin School in Hashang-myeon, Ulsan, in 1919.
- Continuously waged anti-Japanese protests marching all the way to the police substation and shouting "Long Live Korean Independence."
- Served a long term of imprisonment in Daegu Prison after being sentenced to one and a half years in prison for violating the Security Act following his arrest.

14) Gu Cheol-seong (February 1902 – December 1937)
- Joined the Northern Military Administration Office in 1920, carrying out military fund-raising and anti-Japanese armed struggle activities.
- Participated in anti-Japanese wars after being organized into the Korean Volunteers Army, but suffered hardships due to the Free City Incident.
- Participated in anti-Japanese wars working as an infantry lieutenant in the Yenchi region of Russia.

15) Jang Yeong-seok (October 1891 – May 1964)
- Led the independence manse movement alongside Jang Yeong-chang and others in Seokjeok-myeon, Chilgok, in 1919.
- Resolved to stage an uprising with comrades in response to the spread of the manse movement in the Andong and Seonsan regions.
- Arrested by the Japanese police on the spot and subjected to severe torture and 90 blows of flogging.

(Photo: Yonhap News)