"In the Name of Grandfather" ... Descendants of Independence Activist Lee Sam-hyun Donate Full Restored Compensation to 'Independence Movement' Projects

Descendant Lee Jae-eon Donates Entire National Land Compensation Under Grandfather's Name

The memorial wall at the Gyeongbuk Independence Movement Memorial Hall engraved with the names of independence activists. The name of Teacher Lee Sam-hyun is visible.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] "In the Name of Grandfather."

The state used the land of the great-great-grandfather for a road, but the grandfather did not receive compensation. This was because he passed away long before the land address was confirmed and the land succession to descendants was completed. After belatedly reclaiming the land, the descendants donated all the compensation money, asking that it be used to find the hidden "grandfather."

The descendants of independence activist Lee Sam-hyeon (李參鉉) donated the entire land compensation to the Gyeongbuk Independence Movement Memorial Hall.

Mr. Lee Jae-eon’s great-great-grandfather was independence activist Lee Sam-hyeon. Although part of the land owned by Lee was appropriated by the state for a road, the address of landowner Lee Sam-hyeon was unclear, and since the land succession occurred after the construction, the compensation deposit was not received.

Accordingly, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission resolved that Mr. Lee Jae-eon, "as a descendant of an independence activist, should be fully recognized as the owner of the ancestral land and it is reasonable to receive the deposit." Thus, he became eligible to receive the deposit.

After receiving the deposit, Mr. Lee Jae-eon visited the Gyeongsangbuk-do Independence Movement Memorial Hall to use the money for a meaningful cause.

Mr. Lee said, "Please make efforts to publicize the patriotism and spirit of sacrifice of the unknown independence activists through investigation and academic research," and donated the entire compensation as a contribution.

Jung Jin-young, director of the Gyeongbuk Independence Movement Memorial Hall, said, "I was deeply moved to see that the will of independence activist Lee Sam-hyeon has been well passed down to his descendants," and added, "We will use the donation carefully to discover independence activists who have not yet been revealed to the world."

Lee Sam-hyeon was an independence activist active during the Japanese colonial period, with the clan origin of Yeongcheon (永川). He was born in 1877 in Buncheon-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong City. On March 17, 1919, he participated in and led the first Yean-myeon Manse movement protest, was arrested by the Japanese military, and sentenced to 90 lashes.

Later, in 1920, he provided lodging and meals to Park Gi-seok (朴基錫), a special envoy of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, and supported his activities. In 1995, his contributions were recognized and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Citation.

Lee Sam-hyeon’s name can be found on the memorial wall "Gyeongbuk People Stand in the Wilderness" set up outdoors at the Gyeongsangbuk-do Independence Movement Memorial Hall.

A certificate of commendation received from former President Kim Young-sam.

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