[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Hidden Artifacts in Each Military Museum

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The museums owned by each branch of the military house many unique artifacts that cannot be found in general museums. Although these museums are often overlooked by the public as weekend outing destinations, each holds deep stories and distinctive relics not seen in regular exhibitions.

According to the military on the 4th, the artifacts held by each branch amount to 14,000 items at the Army Museum, 17,000 items at the Air Force Museum, and 5,507 items at the Naval Academy Museum.

Among the artifacts held at the Army Museum within the Korea Military Academy is an army uniform from the era of the Korean Empire’s modernized army. The uniform, including the top and bottom garments and a coat-style overcoat, has been preserved intact as a complete set. It also includes cloth suspenders for the pants and a leather sword belt with a scabbard attached.

Artifacts and old documents passed down through the family, left by Hwang Seok (1849?1938), who served as a 부위 (Bu-wi, a junior officer rank) in the Korean Empire’s Jinwi Regiment and as the head of the Gangneung Tax Office, were donated by his descendant Hwang Il-ju (Hwang Seok’s great-grandson, aged 66). The Jinwi Regiment was the first modern military unit established in 1895 to maintain local order and defend border areas. The rank of 부위 was one of the military ranks in the Korean Empire, equivalent to a lieutenant in today’s commissioned officer ranks.

At the Air Force Museum, visitors can see the first domestically produced aircraft, the 'Buhwalho' (Revival). The Buhwalho was a plane that instilled hope in Korea, which was in despair immediately after the Korean War. Under the goal of building an aircraft with Korean technology, 27 Air Force mechanics gathered to create the blueprints and scoured U.S. Air Force bases to collect parts.

Although the engine and propeller from the L-16 liaison aircraft, which was the Air Force’s trainer at the time, were used, the fuselage and wings, which make up 70% of the aircraft, were designed and manufactured with Korean technology. This four-cylinder engine aircraft had a top speed of 180 km/h. While its performance was inferior to planes developed by other countries, it was revolutionary given the domestic technology at the time. Ultimately, the Buhwalho was sent to the Korea Aviation School in 1960 and used for maintenance training before disappearing. However, the aircraft was resurrected in 2004 in the exact same form and was designated as Registered Cultural Heritage No. 411 in 2008.

The Naval Academy’s artifacts include the 'Jungwangu,' a major cannon from the Joseon Dynasty, calligraphy by patriot Ahn Jung-geun (Cheongchodang, designated National Treasure in 1972), another calligraphy by Ahn Jung-geun ('Imjeok Seonjin Wijangui-mu,' designated National Treasure in 2007), and the master’s logbook of the Baekdusan ship (Registered Cultural Heritage by the Cultural Heritage Administration in 2010).

Ahn Jung-geun’s calligraphy 'Imjeok Seonjin Wijangui-mu' was written by Ahn Jung-geun in March 1910 while imprisoned in the Yeosu prison shortly after assassinating Ito Hirobumi. The calligraphy is made of silk measuring 35 cm wide and 139 cm long and is handwritten by Ahn himself, inscribed with '臨敵先進 爲將義務' (Imjeok Seonjin Wijangui-mu: It is the duty of a commander to advance first against the enemy). On the lower left of the calligraphy is Ahn Jung-geun’s signature '大韓國人 安重根' (Daehan Guk-in Ahn Jung-geun) along with a clear seal impression showing the missing ring finger on his left hand.

The Navy, which preserves these meaningful artifacts, also has painful memories. One such incident is the Byeolhwangja Chongtong case in 1992.

On August 10, 1992, Colonel Hwang Mo of the Navy’s Chungmugong Naval Battle Relics Excavation Team and a sergeant took a rubber boat to the sea in front of Muneopo, Hansan-myeon, Tongyeong City, Gyeongnam Province, and dropped fake relics. Eight days later, they retrieved a cannon inscribed with the phrase 'If one shot is fired, the enemy ship will surely be sunk (龜艦黃字 驚敵船 一射敵船 必水葬),' identified as the 'Byeolhwangja Chongtong' made in June of the Byeongsin year of the Wanli era (1596, the 29th year of King Seonjo’s reign).

The incident caused a stir at the time because it was as if a 16th-century cannon had come back to life. This turtle ship cannon was designated as National Treasure No. 274 under the name 'Gwiham Byeolhwangjae Chongtong.' For this achievement, Colonel Hwang, the excavation team leader, was awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Samil Medal.

However, the truth was uncovered. Investigations revealed that Colonel Hwang, under pressure due to the disbandment of the Navy relic excavation team, met with Shin Mo, an antique dealer and hardware expert, and obtained a fake cannon. The production cost was 5 million won, and the inscription was engraved and forcibly corroded over a year by applying chemical agents. Colonel Hwang, the excavation team leader, accepted the fake inscribed cannon made by Shin, the antique dealer and hardware expert, and threw it into the Hansan Battle site designated by the Naval Academy Museum director, then retrieved it a few days later.

This incident led to the disbandment of the Navy’s naval battle relic excavation team. Subsequently, a temporary underwater relic exploration team was operated twice from October 1998 to December 2004.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.