Resistance Descendants Get Benefactor

“It is not a large amount. But I would like to give hope to descendants of independence patriots.”

A son of the independence fighter saved his army pension for 11 years and donated 100 million won on August 11 to the Dong-A Ggumnamu Foundation. He said that he hoped the funds would be used for the offspring of fighters for Korea’s liberation, who are suffering from economic hardship. The angel of good is Park Won-jae (55) who runs a food business in Songpa-gu, Seoul. He is the youngest son of the independence patriot, Park gu-jin (1881-1951).

The fighter for national independence was born in Songchon-gun, South Pyongan. Since 1909, he joined Chae eung-eon who was his hometown friend to engage in the anti-Japanese movement nationwide including Hwanghae and Pyongan provinces.

Park Gu-jin got himself a name by bravely fighting for national independence and even he killed three Japanese policemen when he attacked a financial association in Songchon-gun to raise funds for anti-Japanese rallies. Unfortunately, however, he was arrested by the Japanese police and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was in the Pyongyang Prison for 12 years and then was released on parole.

Park’s son Won-jae said, “Once my mother told me that Baekbum Kim Ku, renowned patriot, sometimes visited our home as he kept a good relationship with my farther.”

However, the bereaved family has had to search and collect relevant documents to be recognized as the bereaved family of an independence patriot for nearly 20 years after his farther died from his disease during the Korean War.

“I had searched almost everywhere including China and Japan if there was any possibility to discover any document that demonstrates the fact that my farther was a fighter for national freedom. Even my mother’s will in 1993 was to demonstrate that my farther fought for the national independence movement.”

Meanwhile his family’s heartbreaking story was reported in Dong-A Ilbo on August 16, 1994 and a document that testifies Park’ release from the Pyongyang Prison, reporting his release to Gyongsong, was found in a department of data management in the ministry of patriots and veterans affairs within one week. The achievement of the late Park was recognized and he received an order of merit for national foundation in 1996. He was also buried in the national cemetery.

“On a day when I received a reward, I shed my tears as the reward and prize reminded me of my struggling childhood in the poverty.” That day, he promised to himself that he will help sons and daughters of patriots who try to make ends meet when he makes some money someday. And he now kept his promise after 11 years.

He seemed to be touched, saying, “I promised to my son to donate funds on the 10th anniversary of my conferment of decoration. But I delayed it a year due to my struggling business.” As for him, this year’s Liberation Day is more meaningful than just an annual anniversary, as the anniversary of his father’s death is a day before August 15. His dream is to build a scholar foundation after his father’s name. He continued “I believe that the government should actively help record the independence movement for our younger generation. I hope that our society pays more attention to sons and daughters of independence patriots who are suffering from hardship.”

peacechaos@donga.com