Goheung's righteous army spirit traced through scholar Shin Chang-mo's writings

The Honam Academy of Korean Studies, in collaboration with the Jeollanam-do Provincial Government, has embarked on a significant endeavor to delve into the legacy of Shin Chang-mo, a prominent intellectual from Goheung during the late Joseon Dynasty. This initiative, focused on translating and analyzing his collected works, particularly 'Bongheonmanrok,' seeks to illuminate the intellectual and spiritual underpinnings of the region's historical resistance movements.

Shin Chang-mo, despite his humble beginnings as a local official, earned considerable respect from his contemporaries for his profound scholarship. His literary talents were so admired that the then Governor of Jeolla Province, Lee Do-jae, attempted to appoint him as the magistrate of Boseong. Furthermore, Yangwon Shin Ki-seon, a prominent figure of the era, lauded Shin Chang-mo's integrity, comparing him to a phoenix, and bestowed the name 'Bongheon' (Phoenix's Abode) upon his residence.

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This work is significant not only for classical translation but also for confirming the ideological origins of the anti-Japanese righteous army struggle in the Goheung region.

The project's significance lies in its aim to trace the origins of the Goheung region's righteous army (uibyeong) spirit. By examining Shin Chang-mo's writings, the academy hopes to understand how his philosophical commitment to 'following the Way and not losing one's true heart' was passed down through his son, Shin Seok-gu, and ultimately manifested in the armed struggle led by his fourth son, Shin Seong-gu. This lineage of intellectual and patriotic devotion is a unique aspect of Korean history, often overlooked in broader international narratives.

Shin Seong-gu's leadership of a righteous army unit of over 120 men against the Japanese following the Eulsa Treaty in 1905, and his subsequent exile to Manchuria after numerous battles, exemplifies the deep-rooted spirit of resistance within the Goheung community. The preservation and study of these historical records, including the translation of 'Hwapoyugo' by his son Shin Seok-gu, are vital for understanding the historical consciousness and the unwavering commitment to national integrity that characterized this period in Korean history. This research offers a distinctively local perspective on national resistance, highlighting the intellectual and familial contributions to the fight for independence.

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It is a work that clarifies how Shin Chang-mo's life, which pursued the Way and did not lose his true heart, was passed down through Shin Seok-gu's scholarship and manifested in Shin Seong-gu's anti-Japanese struggle.