Yun Dong-ju's Nationality China? ... Baidu Ignoring Correction Requests for 2 Years

Baidu, the largest portal site in China, has been ignoring correction requests for two years after listing the nationality of poet Yun Dong-ju, who was active during the Japanese colonial period, as Chinese.

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Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University, a guardian of Korean culture, appealed for many to join in correcting China's historical distortion on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the birth of the national poet Yun Dong-ju. On the 30th, through social networking services (SNS), Professor Seo introduced, "December 30th, today, is the birthday of Yun Dong-ju, a representative poet of the Republic of Korea and an independence activist," noting that the poet was born 105 years ago in 1917.

Baidu Encyclopedia states that Yun Dong-ju's nationality is 'China'
Photo by Professor Seo Kyung-duk

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On the occasion of Yun Dong-ju's birthday, Professor Seo explained, "I searched Baidu Encyclopedia, the largest portal site in China, and it still lists his nationality as 'China' (中?) and ethnicity as 'Joseonjok' (朝鮮族)." He added, "The poet's nationality should be correctly changed to 'Republic of Korea' (大韓民國) and ethnicity to 'Korean' (韓民族), and although I have been sending protest emails to Baidu for the past two years, they continue to ignore them," criticizing the Chinese side's attitude.

Professor Seo also emphasized, "At the entrance of Yun Dong-ju's birthplace in Yongjeong Village, Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, China, there is a large sign that reads 'Chinese Joseonjok patriotic poet,' which is also a clear historical distortion," and stressed that this must be corrected as well.

Photo of the plaque reading "Chinese Joseonjok Patriotic Poet" erected at the entrance of Yun Dong-ju's birthplace Photo by Professor Seo Kyung-duk

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Professor Seo pointed out, "China is attempting to incorporate the histories of Goguryeo and Balhae through the 'Northeast Project,' and more recently, through the 'Cultural Project,' claims that hanbok, kimchi, and even the Talchum mask dance, which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, originated in China. They are also distorting the history of Korea's representative independence activists," calling it a very serious problem. In other words, "Baidu also introduces independence activists Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil as ethnically 'Joseonjok' (朝鮮族)," indicating that there are many places that need correction.

In response, Professor Seo said, "We should not only be angry but also clearly point out what is wrong so that corrections can be made. This is the most important thing," and requested, "Starting next year, we will expand a 'global campaign' to strongly respond to China's historical and cultural distortions, so please join us."

Meanwhile, poet Yun Dong-ju was born on December 30, 1917, in Myeongdong Village, Bukgando. He attended Myeongdong School, Soongsil Middle School in Pyongyang, and graduated from Yonhi College in Seoul. In 1942, he entered Doshisha University in Japan but was arrested by Japanese police in 1943 on charges of independence activism and imprisoned in Fukuoka Prison. He died a young martyr at the age of 29 on February 16, 1945. In January 1948, based on his posthumous works, the collection "Sky, Wind, Star, and Poem" was published, and Yun Dong-ju remains a symbol of the most beloved Korean poet and anti-Japanese patriotic literary figure.

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