Guro-gu Publishes Biographies of 18 Descendants of Independence Activists, Including Sister of Yu Gwansun Yeolsa

Seoul Guro Rotary Club and Gwangbokhoe Guro Branch Unite to Share Stories of Independence Activists Outside Textbooks, Including Yu Gwansun's Cousin

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “Gwansun~ Gwansun~ You were arrested and died in my place. (Yu Yedo, cousin of Yu Gwansun)”

The late independence activist Yu Yedo participated in the March 1st Movement together with her cousin Yu Gwansun. After hearing that her younger cousin was captured and died in prison, she reportedly beat the ground and wept bitterly. This is the testimony of Han Hye-dong, son of Yu Yedo.

The late independence activist Choi Jong-hwa, grandfather of Choi Yong-hee, president of the Guro-gu branch of the Liberation Association, was born into a wealthy family and attended Suwon Agricultural and Forestry School (now Seoul National University College of Agriculture). However, he gave up everything and returned to his hometown Gapyeong to lead the independence movement at the forefront of the March 1st Movement. He was imprisoned and died in custody.

A book containing stories of independence activists not found in textbooks has been published.

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) collaborated with the Seoul Guro Rotary Club and the Guro-gu branch of the Liberation Association to publish the book of independence movement stories titled “Gwansun-a Gwansun-a.”

“Gwansun-a Gwansun-a” contains stories of 18 lesser-known independence activists.

The Seoul Guro Rotary Club (President Oh Chang-heon) conducted interviews with descendants of independence activists to vividly capture the nearly forgotten stories of these activists through the voices of their descendants.

The Guro-gu branch of the Liberation Association (Chairman Choi Yong-hee) located descendants of independence activists residing in Guro-gu, explained the necessity of producing biographies, and mediated to enable their participation in the interviews.

The publication work, which began earlier this year, was recently completed. On the 13th of this month, a publication meeting was held with 18 participants including members of the Seoul Guro Rotary Club and the Guro-gu branch of the Liberation Association.

The book will be available in local libraries and schools of all levels. At the event, the Seoul Guro Rotary Club also donated a scholarship of 1 million won for vulnerable groups.

Oh Chang-heon, president of the Seoul Guro Rotary Club, said, “I wanted to create a biography under the Rotary Club’s name with the belief that those who devoted themselves to the country deserve the highest respect first. I hope the publication of the biography will be an opportunity for descendants to live with pride.”

A Guro-gu official said, “We are pleased that this has become an opportunity to remember hidden heroes who cannot be learned about in textbooks. We will continue to strive to find and publicize the patriots who devoted their bodies and minds to the independence movement.”

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