Young independence activists who led the independence movement of Miryang Public School that the whole students participated in. Children also led the student independence movement against Japan.
Kim Sang-deuk, a children independence activist, was expelled from Miryang Public School (now Miryang Elementary School) by Japan because he threw away the Japanese flag in opposition to the Cheonjangjeol, the day for celebrating Emperor Hirohito’s birthday. In 1911, Kim Sang-deuk was only 11 years old. Later, Kim Sang-deuk was arrested by the Japanese while he led the student independence movement by distributing the Declaration of Independence and Taegeukgi, Korean flag at the Miryang independence demonstration on March 13, 1919.
Han Bong-sam, a children independence activist, was expelled from Miryang Public School (now Miryang Elementary School) by Japan because he led the student independence movement on March 14, 1919. Since then, Han Bong-sam continued his anti-Japanese struggles by heading a secret organization in Miryang as his two older brothers who were the members of Uiyeoldan, the armed resistance against the Japanese. It is said that he did not have children for life as he thought that having a child can reduce the radius of action for the independence movement.
Miryang Public School could not hold a graduation ceremony in 1921 because many students, such as Kim Sang-deuk and Han Bong-sam, were expelled as they participated in the 1919 independence movement. Later, in 2019, the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, Miryang Elementary School awarded honorary diplomas to Kim Sang-deuk and Han Bong-sam at the 109th graduation ceremony.
Independence activists Kim Sang-deuk and Han Bong-sam, who actively led the student independence movement despite their young age. Remember the children independence activists who devoted themselves to the independence of Korea! Now, it’s your turn to become Kim Sand-deuk and Han Bong-sam of the 21st century and complete the Republic of Korea they dreamed of!