Kim Hong Il was an activist for Korean independence active during the Japanese occupation in China, Manchuria and Maritime Province of Siberia. He joined the Chinese army for Korean independence after his exile to China until the liberation of Korea. ...
Kim Hong Il was an activist for Korean independence active during the Japanese occupation in China, Manchuria and Maritime Province of Siberia. He joined the Chinese army for Korean independence after his exile to China until the liberation of Korea. Cooperating with the Chinese People’s Revolutionary Army during the North Expedition and China-Japan war, he became major-general and also participated in the armed resistance in Manchuria and Maritime Province of Siberia as well as Korean Patriot Organization, Chosun Volunteer Corps and Korean Resistance. After the Korean independence he also endeavored to protect Koreans in the North eastern region of China. This thesis aims to examine Kim Hong Il’s activities and systematically put them in order.
Kim Hong Il was born on September 23, 1898 in Yongcheon, Pyeonganbukdo. From his personal experience of Russia-Japan war and study in Bongcheon, China, he realized the demise of the nation. In particular, he learned the new knowledge and spirit of independence at Osan school. This educational background at Osan school led him to educational movement for enlightenment and he took a teaching position at Kyeongshin school in Hwanghaedo.
In September, 1918, Kim Hong Il exiled to China in order to participating the resistance against Japan after graduating from a Chinese military school. With the help of a number of Chinese resistance activists, Kim Hong Il could enter Guijuyukgunkangmu school and started his cooperation with Chinese army for Korean independence after graduation.
In 1926 Kim Hong Il participated in the Expedition to conquer the north of Chinese Nationalist Party. The People’s Revolutionary Army’s North Expedition at the time was concentrated on the warlords of the north region. Kim Hong Il was appointed major-general during this war. He was distinguished by his service at Yongdam battle and Jenam War. He was also rewarded by the Nationalist government for his service. As China-Japan War started by the Lugou Bridge incident on July 7, 1937, he joined the Chinese army to fight against Japan. During the early stage of war he focused on the duties behind the front line until he was appointed commander for troops in October 1938. The battles he participated in such as Mangaryeong battle, Sango battle and the second Jangsa battle were the most successful victories during the China-Japan war. During this war, Kim Hong Il became major-general which was the highest rank that Korean activists participating in the Chinese army ever achieved.
In addition to his activity with the People’s Revolutionary Army, he also participated in Korean independence movement. The first was the armed resistance in Manchuria and Maritime Province of Siberia in 1920. He joined the Goryeo Volunteer Corps and Korea Volunteer Corps re-organized after their dismissal after the catastrophe in Jayushi and started the fight against Japan till 1922. He gained much experience at the field, however witnessed the split of armed resistance.
Kim Hong Il joined the Korean Patriot Organization and took an important role at such fights of Lee Bong Chang and Yun Bong Gil. He supported a variety of activities of Korean Patriot Organization as manager of Shanghai Armory Ironworks and director of information department of 19th regiment. The activities of Lee Bong Chang and Yun Bong Gil were possible with the explosives provided by Kim Hong Il. Due to his activities, the Korean resistance was able to shed off the depressed spirit. He was also involved with the Chosun National Revolutionary Party by participating in establishing Chosun Volunteer Corps as instructor of Kangneung military school.
In May 1945 Kim Hong Il was appointed Deputy Chief of Korean Resistance. It was recommended by Kim Gu and yet was strongly influenced by the National Revolutionary Party including Kim Won Bong. Despite the short duration of three months, he actively sought for the cooperation of Korean Resistance and National Revolutionary Party.
With Japan’s collapse on August 15, 1945 Kim Hong Il headed north as Senior Deputy Chief under the North East Security Commandership. He established a judicial office to protect Koreans in north as the Nationalist Party’s effort to take over the north eastern region. He also competed with the delegates in China over the leadership in managing the Koreans in the region. His activity is meaningful in that he was a frontier as officer of People’s Revolutionary Army in protecting Koreans in the north eastern regions where the largest number of Korean immigrants were living. He became a specialist of People’s Revolutionary Army and moved to its jurisdiction until returning to Korea on August 23, 1948 after more than 30 years of exile.
In summary, Kim Hong Il was active both in Chinese army and Korean resistance from the beginning of his exile till its end. He participated in the battles against Japan as Chinese soldier and at the same time supported the Korean independence movement. By doing so the resistance was more stimulated as well as the cooperation between Koreans and Chinese was enhanced. Kim Hong Il continued fighting against Japan as resistance activist in China occupied by Japan and contributed to strong bond between Korea and China.