Research highlights WWII Korean-Chinese resistance ties

A recent symposium in Seoul, co-hosted by the official association for anti-Japanese resistance fighters, Gwangbokhoe, showcased new research on Korean independence leader Sin Kyu-sik. The event, backed by South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, underscored the enduring connections between South Korean and Chinese intellectuals, forged through their shared legacy of resistance against Japan.

Sin Kyu-sik, born in 1880, was a prominent patriot who relocated to China following Japan's 1910 annexation of Korea. He played a vital role in the struggle for his nation's independence. Sun Kezhi, a historian from Fudan University, presented findings on August 11, identifying Sin as the "chief planner" of the 1919 March 1 Movement. This significant overseas uprising against Japanese colonial rule was inspired by nationwide demonstrations within Korea.

The March 1 Movement not only galvanized the independence movement but also directly led to the formation of the Korean Provisional Government (KPG) in Shanghai later that year. Sun Kezhi's presentation, as reported by Shanghai-based media outlet The Paper, also highlighted Sin's crucial involvement in the establishment of the KPG. The symposium served as a platform to reinforce the historical narrative of shared struggle and intellectual exchange between the two nations.

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