Private Seo Gi-jong Named May 6 War Hero of the Korean War

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] Private Seo Gi-jong of the Army was selected as the June 25 War Hero of May, and independence activists Jang Mae-seong (1911?1993), Park Ok-ryeon (1914?2004), Park Hyun-sook (1914?1981), and Jang Gyeong-nye (1913?1997) were chosen as the Independence Activists of May.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 30th, Private Seo was a political soldier of the 10th Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 6th Division during the Battle of Yongmunsan in Gyeonggi Province in May 1951. He played a decisive role in encouraging retreating company members to recapture a lost hill from the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF). In the battle on May 19, Private Seo led the charge against the CCF attack, inspiring his company members to fiercely engage in close combat and reclaim the lost position.

The next day, when the automatic weapon gunner was hit by enemy fire during the CCF’s second attack, Private Seo took over the automatic weapon and began firing while standing, sustaining seven bullets from the enemy. Witnessing this, the company members fought desperately, ultimately repelling the infiltrating CCF forces. For his resolute defense and mission accomplishment, Private Seo was exceptionally awarded the U.S. Silver Star in July 1951 as a soldier.

Jang Mae-seong, Park Ok-ryeon, Park Hyun-sook, and Jang Gyeong-nye formed the “Sonyeohoe,” a secret women’s anti-Japanese movement group, in November 1928 while attending Gwangju Girls’ High School. They collaborated with male students’ reading clubs and solidarity activities. When the Gwangju Student Movement broke out in November the following year, they actively participated by treating injured students. In January 1930, they were involved in the “Blank Paper Alliance Incident” at Gwangju Girls’ High School, refusing to take exams and submitting blank answer sheets to demand the release of arrested students, which eventually led to their withdrawal from school.

Later, during interrogations by Japanese police of those involved in the Gwangju Student Movement, the Sonyeohoe was exposed, and they were tried for violating the Public Security Preservation Act. Jang Mae-seong served about one year and two months in prison.

After liberation, they received honorary diplomas from Jeonnam Girls’ High School, the successor of Gwangju Girls’ High School. To honor their contributions, the government posthumously awarded Jang Mae-seong, Park Ok-ryeon, Park Hyun-sook, and Jang Gyeong-nye the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, in 1990.

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