Heroic Corps

The Heroic Corps (Hangul: 의열단; RR: Euiyeoldan; MR: Uiyoldan) was an organization founded in 1919 during the Japanese colonial period. The Heroic Corps is considered one of the most radical organizations in the world. Its activists believed in revolutionary uprise as well as egalitarianism. After the 1919 Independence Movement, many independence activists moved their bases to foreign countries. However, members of the Heroic Corps thought that those organizations were too moderate and couldn't contribute to independence in Korea, and instead took a more radical approach by opposing compromising solutions such as culturalism. The Heroic Corps wished for a violent revolution, the Manifesto of the Korean Revolution(조선혁명선언 written by independence activist Shin Chae-ho clearly reflected this will, among other aspects of their goals and plans of action.^[1] Hence, they struggled for independence by assassinating high-ranking Japanese officials and committing acts of terrorism against government offices. Heroic Corps moved their base to Beijing and brought members over to the Corps in Shanghai where they had about 70 members in 1924. Kim Gu, Kim Kyu-sik, Kim Chang-suk, Shin Chae-ho engaged as advisers, Chiang Kai-shek who was the president of the Republic of China supported the Heroic Corps.^[2] However, as time passed, their movement evolved with the spirit of the times.

Targets and Doctrines

Leading the corps was a 22-year-old man named Kim Won-bong (b.1898). The organization has announced ten articles of resolution, listed seven types of individuals who must be killed, and listed five governmental structures that must be destroyed. Their aims were to defeat the Japanese invaders (Hangul: 구축왜노; Hanja: 驅逐倭奴), independence for Korea (Hangul: 광복조국; Hanja: 光復祖國), abolition of class distinctions (Hangul: 타파계급; Hanja: 打破階級), and equal rights to arable land (Hangul: 평균지권; Hanja: 平均地權). Their ideals displayed a new wave of revolutionary public activity in the fight for independence and in direct response to the March First Independence Movement (Hangul: 3.1운동; Hanja: 三一運動).^[3]

10 articles of resolution

1. We aggressively pursue all acts of righteousness.

2. We sacrifice our body and life for Korean independence and world equality.

3. We only select members of loyal spirit and compassionate mind.

4. We take the objective of the Corps as first priority and promptly execute the goals of its members.

5. We select a leader of righteous character to represent the Corps.

6. We present a status report, wherever or whenever the Corps may be, every month.

7. We oblige to assemble upon request by a member of the Corps.

8. We stay alive and not die to fulfil the objective of the Corps.

9. We as members devote ourselves to the Corps and the Corps devotes itself to every one of us.

10. We execute all those who disobey the objectives of the Corps.

List of 7 types of people who must be killed

1. Josean Governor-General

2. Head of Japanese Troops

3. Taiwan Governor-General and High Officer

4. Traitors

5. Pro-Japanese Leaders

6. Secret Agents of Japan

7. Anti-National Nobles and Large Property-Owning Landlords

List of 5 governmental structures that must be destroyed

1. Japanese Government-General of Korea

2. Oriental Development Company

3. Office of Maeil-Shinbo

4. All Police Offices

5. Other Japanese Imperialism Governments

^[4]

Main Events

Carrying bombs into Miryang, Jinyeong

Heroic Corps carried out their plan for the assassination of Japanese ministers and the destruction of public offices on March 1920. They attempted to carry bombs into Josean. Kwak Jae-ki, who was in Manchuria, sent bombs to Kim Byung-wan. However, the bombs were confiscated by Japanese police in Gyeonggi-do. Kwak Jae-ki, who was in charge, and 12 people related to this incident were arrested by Japanese police.^[3]

Throwing bombs to Jogono Police Station and incident in Sampantong, Hyoje-dong

On January 12, 1923, there was an incident where someone threw bombs into Jongno Police station. Japanese police authorities did not know who threw the bombs until Kim Sang-ok died. 5 days after, on January 17, Sang-ok's refuge Sampantong(Hangul: 삼판통; Hanja: 三坂通) was searched by Japanese police and surrounded by 20 police officers. Kim Sang-ok exchanged gunfire with them, killed a head of the criminal department, and hurt several police officers. Then he broke through the siege and hid in Namsan Mountain. He climbed the mountain and disguised himself as a monk. He hid in Lee Hye-soo's house in Hyoje-dong(Hangul: 효제동; Hanja: 孝悌洞). On January 22, several hundred armed policemen besieged the house. Kim Sang-ok picked up a gun in each hand and proceeded to resist the Japanese for over 3 hours by himself. He killed several policemen, including executives, and he committed suicide using his last bullet.^[5]

Throwing bombs to Oriental Development Company, Josean Sikesan Bank

On December 28, 1926 Na Seok-ju threw bombs on Oriental Development Company(Hangul: 동양척식주식회사; Hanja: 東洋拓殖株式會社) and Joseon Siksan Bank(Hangul: 조선식산은행; Hanja: 朝鮮殖産銀行). This was an incident which succeeded over a long period of time. At 2 p.m. he entered into Josean Siksan Bank and threw one bomb following which he attacked the Oriental Development Company by throwing bombs and spreading gunfire at random. He killed several people in the company. Five Japanese policemen chased him, at the end he ultimately killed himself using his gun to avoid arrest.^[3]

References