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Kim Gu: The Brave Heart Who Fought for Korea’s Independence

  • Writer: Sam (Sungyoon) Moon
    Sam (Sungyoon) Moon
  • Mar 2
  • 3 min read

There was a time when our proud country South Korea lost its identity and had to live under the unfair control of another country. Surprisingly, this country who was the worst enemy in that time is Japan. The real Japan that we know where most of trades and relationship are going really well with South Korea. How interesting is that? However, it was not that interesting from 1910 to 1945. For 35 years until the end of the WWII, our citizens couldn’t use Korean, had to change their name, and be used to unlimited discrimination towards Korean citizens. This sounds like a disaster. Everyone will think nobody can try to fight against this strong soldiers who have guns and knives. But then, our country’s famous hero appears with the mighty weapon called courage. His name was ‘Kim Gu’


Kim Gu(김구, 1876-1949) was one of the Korea’s most famous and independent activists, political leaders and nationalists during the Japanese colonial period. I guarantee you that when you ask Korean’s about their heroes, people will always include Kim Gu’s name in their list without hesitation. He dedicated his entire life to Korea’s liberation and later became the leader of the ‘Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea(대한민국 임시정부). His great actions and courage begun much before the March.1 movement on 1919. He was deeply into Korea’s sovereignty starting from his youth. He fought against other countries when they try to be against our Korea. One example can be the Donghak Peasant Revolution which is simply being brave against the large China.

Now, what did Kim Gu do for 3.1 movement? First, the March 1st movement is a famous movement in South Korea which was a massive nationwide protest against Japanese colonizing South Korea. The movement begun with the public reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence which talks about the rights of South Korea to be proudly independent as a country on March 1, 1919, and quickly spread across the country. Over 2 million Korean citizens participated in the reading and movement, requiring and protesting against Japan for an end to Japanese colonial rule and the restoration of Korean sovereignty. Kim Gu is famous by various ways. First, he supported and spread the independence movement. Even before 1919, Kim Gu was involved in anti-Japanese resistance activities. Second, as mentioned before, Kim Gu is also famous for building new provisional government to keep South Korea stand strong from the pressure of Japan. Under his leadership, the Provisional Government worked tirelessly to gain international recognition and organize independence movements. Third, Kim Gu also worked hard to organize armed resistance against Japan. After witnessing the Japanese government’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, Kim Gu became convince that military resistance was the only way to take South Korea out of this Japanese control and finally free our country. One example of this action will be creating Korean Patriotic Corps (한인애국단) to carry out attacks on key Japanese officials.

After all his hard work only just because of how he loves his country, the 3.1 movement was successful with happy faces of Korean citizens. We were able to get off the threat of Japan by U.S’s help. This is mainly because of what provisional government has done. Before Mr. Kim died, he was smiling in the last picture we have of him. This means a lot to us South Korean citizens. Thank you for your hard work and bravery. We are also happy to see you smile at the end.


-to Mr. Kim Gu / from the KHEPA DIGEST-





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