[Lee Sang-hoon's Korean History] The Thorn in Japan's Side, Cheonmasan Guerrilla Unit

Over 130 Guerrilla Fighters Including Commander Choi Siheung Kill Japanese Police, Raid Police Substation
Pro-Japanese Collaborator Policemen Resign One After Another

The year 1920 is a monumental year in the history of the anti-Japanese armed struggle. The Battle of Bongodong occurred in June, and the Battle of Cheongsanri took place in October. The independence army achieved a large-scale victory against the Japanese regular army in North Gando (北間島). However, in contrast, West Gando (西間島) remained relatively quiet. The Tumen River area adjacent to North Gando was under the jurisdiction of the Japanese 19th Division, while the Yalu River area adjacent to West Gando was under the jurisdiction of the 20th Division. The reason West Gando was quiet lay within Korea itself.

On May 6, 1920, the governor of North Pyongan Province sent an urgent telegram to the Chief of Police of the Government-General of Korea. The content of the telegram was as follows: Since April 21, fires have broken out in several counties' state-owned forests, including Changseong, Guseong, Huchang, Jaseong, and Kangye. Near Huchang, forest fires have continued since April 25, and fires still persist on Cheonmasan (天摩山), located on the border between Uiju and Guseong counties. There is suspicion that about ten Koreans dressed as Chinese entered the Huchang and Kangye areas and committed arson. There are also reports suggesting that lawless Koreans are setting fires along the forests and attempting something amid the confusion. The authorities are currently making efforts to extinguish the fires and apprehend the culprits.

In summary, in April 1920, large-scale forest fires occurred in the northern forests of North Pyongan Province adjacent to the Yalu River, with arsonists presumed to be Koreans who were possibly plotting something. What was happening in the forests of North Pyongan Province at that time?

Pyongan Province had early adoption of Christianity, and the influence of Cheondogyo (a Korean religious movement) was also expanding. In 1910, Pyongan Province had 844 schools at various levels, the highest number nationwide. Especially, North Pyongan Province was connected to Manchuria across the Yalu River, facilitating frequent contact with overseas independence groups. Against this backdrop, acceptance of new culture was rapid, and national consciousness was inevitably strong. At the center of the large-scale forest fires in North Pyongan Province was Cheonmasan. Looking at Cheonmasan as the center, Uiju County lies to the west, Guseong County to the south, and Sakju County to the northeast. The boundaries of these counties converge at Cheonmasan. It is a rugged mountain with an elevation of 1,169 meters, covered with dense forests.

Noh Young of the suppression unit (June 1920 at Cheonmasan)

Choi Si-heung (崔時興) led guerrilla activities around Cheonmasan after the March 1st Movement in 1919. When the March 1st Movement unfolded, Choi Si-heung led a demonstration shouting for independence at the market in Goryeongsak-myeon, Uiju County, then crossed into Manchuria. In Manchuria, he gathered several comrades and went to Harbin, where he joined the Labor-Farmer-Soldier group there. Around December of that year, he crossed back over the Yalu River into Korea and organized the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit.

The Cheonmasan guerrilla unit began full-scale activities from March 1920. On March 12, they attacked the office of Daesan-myeon, Seoncheon County, killing the head Kim Byeong-jun and secretary Kim Eun-gi, and raided the house of detective Kim Myeong-ik of the Uiju Police Station to eliminate him. On March 24, they killed a veterinary officer at the North Pyongan Provincial Office in Ganggu. On April 18, they raided a postal warehouse at Chijak Pass in Jaseong County and seized its contents. On May 7, they eliminated pro-Japanese collaborators in Seohadong, Gogwan-myeon, Uiju County, and on May 9, they raided and set fire to the office of Yeoha-myeon, Cheolsan County. On May 18, they killed a military police assistant in Sedok-dong, Sinchang-myeon, Changseong County.

The conflict intensified from June. On June 4, they attacked the police substation in Sinandong, Gugok-myeon, Sakju County, killing one policeman and seriously injuring another. On June 6, they raided the office of Munok-myeon, Kangye County, stealing 700 won of public funds and burning official documents. On June 8, they raided the office of Songsseo-myeon, Byeokdong County, stealing 700 won and seriously injuring one policeman. On June 10, they eliminated Kang Chang-heon, the head of Daechang-myeon, Changseong County. On June 25, they attacked the police substation in Hakhoe-myeon, Byeokdong County, killing one Japanese policeman and setting the building on fire. They also raided the office of Oegwi-myeon, Kangye County, burning official documents and setting fire to the building. On June 30, they raided the office of Munok-myeon, Jeongju County, stealing 25 won in cash.

The Japanese colonial police headquarters announced the damage situation from January 1 to September 1, 1920. The announcement stated that 29 people were killed and 23 injured by the independence army in North Pyongan Province, with many missing. It also stated that two police substations and eight township offices were destroyed by attacks from the independence army. Most of these damages were related to the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit. Between March and July 1920, government officials and pro-Japanese collaborators in North Pyongan Province could not freely enter or exit without police protection. Many township heads submitted collective resignations, temporarily paralyzing administration in Seoncheon, Yongcheon, Uiju, and Guseong. Especially, many Korean policemen collaborating with the Japanese resigned in succession.

According to the 'Dongnip Sinmun' (The Independent), as of June 16, 1920, when a military reorganization was carried out, the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit had about 130 members. The commander was Choi Si-heung, with staff officers Choi Ji-pung, staff members Park Eung-baek, Park Young-chan, Choi Yoon-hee, accountant Kim Se-jin, company commander Choi Ui-jip, and platoon leaders Kim Sang-ok and Kim Yong-seok. However, according to the 'Dong-A Ilbo' on July 16, 1920, guerrilla member Kim Hyo-jun was arrested by the Japanese and confessed that the guerrilla unit had 47 members. The unit included battalion commander Choi Si-heung, battalion special operations leaders Kim Chang-ha and Kim Ok-seon, 1st platoon leader Heo Gi-ho (with one staff officer, one assistant officer, one staff officer, and 12 soldiers), 2nd platoon leader Choi Ji-pung (with one staff officer, one assistant officer, one staff officer, and 9 soldiers), and 3rd platoon leader Kim Deok-myeong (with one staff officer, one assistant officer, one staff officer, and 11 soldiers).

Ice Skating Doseop of the Suppression Unit (March 1921 near Sugujin)

It can be seen that there was a significant change in troop numbers and organizational structure within just one month. What happened to the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit in June 1920? June coincides with the time of the Battle of Bongodong in North Gando. As the activities of the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit intensified, the Japanese increased search parties in the Cheonmasan area and launched several attacks. In March 1920, about 100 Japanese military police surrounded and attacked Cheonmasan; in June, hundreds attacked Duryeongsan (頭龍山); and in July, about 100 attacked Cheonmasan again. The Japanese large-scale offensive in June is believed to have dealt a heavy blow to the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit.

However, the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit was not completely annihilated. Even after the Japanese large-scale attacks, it continued to survive. On October 22, they fought a battle with the Guseong Police Station search party in Sangdandong, Guseong-myeon, and on December 28, they engaged in combat with Japanese police in Chayuryeong, Goryeongsak-myeon, Uiju County. On January 7, 1921, they fought with the search party at the Goryeongsak-myeon police substation; on February 7, they fought again at Cheonmasan; and on September 15, they clashed with policemen from Bukjin Police Station. Sporadic battles continued in 1922, and engagements occurred until February 1923.

However, domestic activities almost ended after Choi Si-heung was arrested in the winter of 1922 and many guerrilla members were arrested by the end of 1923. In the winter of 1922, Choi Si-heung had crossed into Manchuria carrying 4,000 won in military funds. At that time, the Japanese offered a reward of 5,000 won for his capture. Choi Si-heung was arrested by Chinese authorities in Linjiang County (臨江縣), Fengtian Province (奉天省), and imprisoned in a Fengtian prison. The Japanese repeatedly attempted negotiations to receive custody of him, but the Chinese side refused. The Japanese bribed the governor of Fengtian Province and deceived the Chinese by portraying Choi Si-heung not as an independence fighter but as a good civilian who contributed to Manchuria's development. Eventually, Choi Si-heung was released. As soon as he was released, the Japanese arrested him again in front of the prison. Choi Si-heung was imprisoned by the Japanese in Fengtian and transferred to the Sinuiju Police Station on April 21, 1924. He was sentenced to death on charges of violating ordinances, robbery, arson, and murder. Ultimately, he died a martyr on March 12, 1925, at Pyongyang Prison.

In the interrogation records, the Japanese did not refer to Choi Si-heung as an 'independence fighter' but as a 'robber.' Recognizing the independence activities of the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit in the early 1920s would have meant admitting that the Government-General of Korea's domestic control was paralyzed. The Japanese apparently wanted to deny any organized large-scale anti-Japanese armed struggle in North Pyongan Province in 1920. From the Japanese perspective, who were actively pushing for the 'Gando Expedition,' the Cheonmasan guerrilla unit within Korea was a thorn in their side.

Lee Sang-hoon, Professor of Military History, Korea Military Academy

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