August 15 Liberation Journey "Once a man leaves home, he will not return alive"—Yun Bong-gil at Age 25

Suwon NewsUpdated 2026.08.15 19:32

Meeting Dr. Yun Bong-gil at Shanghai's Hongkou ParkOath written to 'eliminate Japanese officers'Provisional Government building under interior renovation

Flowers are placed in front of the Dr. Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall located in Hongkou Park (Photo by Lee Gang-seok)

Our visit to Shanghai, China, ahead of the August 15 Liberation Day was intended to reflect on the spirit of independence movements, including the achievements of Dr. Yun Bong-gil. However, difficulties emerged upon arrival.

Only upon reaching the Korean Provisional Government building located in Shanghai did we learn it was 'under renovation.' We had to settle for taking photos in front of the building.

So we visited Hongkou Park, the site of Dr. Yun Bong-gil's heroic deed, paid our respects to him, and examined the exhibits. Age 25. 1908-1932. The young Dr. Yun Bong-gil pledged before President Kim Gu to eliminate Japanese military officers for the sake of Korea and China. The paper on which he wrote this pledge became a national treasure of the Republic of Korea.

We would like to introduce here a handwritten message on Dr. Yun Bong-gil's neck and chest in a photograph taken before the heroic deed.

[Oath] I hereby solemnly swear that, as a member of the Korean Patriotic Corps, I will eliminate Japanese military officers invading China in order to restore the independence and freedom of our country. April 26, Year 14 of the Republic of Korea. Sworn by Yun Bong-gil.

Before the Korean Patriotic Corps. This material is housed in the National Museum of Korea, and the government has designated it as National Treasure No. 568 for preservation.

Various historical materials are displayed in the Dr. Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall (Photo by Lee Gang-seok)

This is the oath written in the doctor's own hand three days before he carried out his heroic deed at Hongkou Park in Shanghai, where ceremonies celebrating the Japanese Emperor's birthday and the Japanese military's victory in Shanghai were held on April 29, 1932.

<Justice Prevails, Hero of the Age Dr. Yun Bong-gil> An elderly man in his 80s, seemingly of Korean-Chinese descent or a descendant of those who migrated to Shanghai for the independence movement, demonstrated calligraphy on paving blocks using a brush holder filled with water. Our group waited until the tour ended before presenting this exemplary handwriting.

We felt heavy-hearted learning that patriots of the independence movement and their descendants continue to live in difficult circumstances. Likely a descendant of independence movement patriots, this person's calligraphy performance honoring Dr. Yun Bong-gil received enthusiastic applause from our group.

Dr. Yun said, "When a man of valor leaves home, he does not return alive." 丈夫出家生不還 (Jangbu chulga saeng bulhwan). As he crossed into China, it appears he was resolved to sacrifice his life for national liberation. At age 25, making a vow to sacrifice oneself for country, nation, and people is no easy matter.

Korean calligraphy honoring Dr. Yun Bong-gil written by an elderly person who appears to be Korean-Chinese (Photo by Lee Gang-seok)

At age 25, what thoughts occupied his mind? Now, at this stage of life, I find myself reflecting on what commitments I am making to society and the nation.

I carefully examined the portrait, photographs, decorations, and various artifacts densely displayed in this space of less than five pyeong. I came to understand that a single sheet of paper or a piece of metal, depending on its purpose, can become a national treasure and a national heritage that all citizens wish to see.

Dr. Yun Bong-gil's remains returned to his homeland on May 15, 1946, together with Dr. Lee Bong-chang and Dr. Baik Jung-gi, and were enshrined in the Tomb of the Three Patriots at Hyochang Park in Seoul's Yongsan District on June 30 of that year. In 1962, the Republic of Korea government posthumously awarded Dr. Yun Bong-gil the Order of National Foundation, Republic of Korea Medal.

After my retirement from public service, I had opportunities to give lectures at small gatherings, and on several occasions explained Dr. Yun Bong-gil's story through photographs. At that time, I emphasized the fact that the young 25-year-old Dr. Yun left his wife and children behind and traveled to China for the independence movement.

The Provisional Government building was under interior renovation and could not be entered (Photo by Lee Gang-seok)

I also mentioned that the oath written in a photograph taken three days before the heroic deed is designated and managed as a national treasure of our country. Through this, I emphasized to young civil servants that a single sheet of paper they handle may be a document as precious as a national treasure to citizens.

Now that I have revisited the historical site of Dr. Yun Bong-gil, if there is another opportunity to lecture in the future, I will be able to explain more specifically and place greater emphasis on the significance of Dr. Yun's love for his homeland. The fact that the legacy of this Korean patriot has been well preserved in China also holds great meaning.

During this trip, I would like to boast about diligently viewing the statue of Guan Yu, which other members of our group did not see. Our guide mentioned we had about 10 minutes to spare by taking a wooden boat and traveling upstream on the river. So we went further upstream and encountered the Guan Yu statue there. We saw a clear bronze statue of the protagonist from the historical drama. Just as in life, diligence while traveling allows us to see, feel, and encounter much more.