Movement launched to upgrade honor for Provisional Government leader Yi Sang-ryong

A campaign is gaining momentum in South Korea, particularly in Andong, to re-evaluate and elevate the posthumous national honor bestowed upon independence activist Yi Sang-ryong. The Gyeongbuk Regional Foundation for Patriots and Veterans Affairs has formally petitioned the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, advocating for an upgrade of Yi's medal from the current Grade 3 (Order of National Foundation, Independence) to the highest Grade 1 (Order of National Foundation, Republic of Korea). The petition, submitted on July 31, includes the signatures of 2,678 supporters.

Yi Sang-ryong, born in Andong in 1858, was a pivotal figure in the Korean independence movement. After the Eulsa Treaty in 1905, he actively participated in righteous army movements and led patriotic enlightenment campaigns. Upon Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910, he liquidated his assets and moved to Manchuria to establish bases for the independence movement. His family, including his wife, son, and daughter-in-law, followed him, and his ancestral home, Imcheonggak, became a birthplace for 11 independence activists.

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Yi Sang-ryong is not just an independence activist but a nation-building leader who established the foundation for the independence movement and preserved the legitimacy of the Provisional Government.

In Manchuria, Yi Sang-ryong fostered talent through institutions like the Gyeonghaksa and Shinheung Military Academy, and managed the military organization Seogunjeongseo. He also strived to unify independence movement factions. In 1925, when the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea transitioned from a presidential system to a State Councilor system, Yi was appointed as the first State Councilor. He was recognized for his open approach, critically accepting socialism while upholding national principles, and for his leadership potential in unifying the independence movement.

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Yi Sang-ryong's medal, awarded in 1962, appears to have been evaluated fragmentarily due to limitations in data and research at the time. A comprehensive evaluation is needed, considering the history of the Provisional Government's constitution, the Manchurian independence movement, and the family's involvement in the independence movement through Imcheonggak.

Foundation officials argue that Yi Sang-ryong should be recognized as a nation-building leader who laid the groundwork for the independence movement and preserved the legitimacy of the Provisional Government. They believe his 1962 medal, awarded under the limitations of available data and societal conditions of the time, does not fully reflect his contributions. The foundation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation considering the history of the Provisional Government's constitution, the independence movement in Manchuria, and the family's extensive involvement in the cause.

This movement extends beyond Yi Sang-ryong's individual honor, prompting a broader societal discussion in South Korea about how the nation remembers and honors the historical achievements of its independence fighters. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has previously indicated a review of honors awarded before the 1970s, acknowledging that medal rankings may have been influenced by factors beyond wartime contributions. This re-evaluation process has led to upgrades for other prominent figures like Yeo Un-hyeong, Yu Gwan-sun, and Hong Beom-do in recent years.

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Through this petition, we need a social discussion beyond the medal issue of an individual, on how the Republic of Korea will remember and honor the historical achievements of the independence movement.