Lee Eun-Sook was a female independence activist and the wife of Lee Hoe-Yeong. She actively supported the independence movement in Seogando, Beijing, and Korea, wrote the history of the independence movement in detail, and informed future generations.
Born in Gongju in 1889, Lee Eun-Sook married Lee Hoe-Yeong in 1908.
In 1910, when Korea was officially annexed by Japan, Lee Hoe-Yeong and his brothers sold all their properties and raised funds for migration. And about 60 families, including Lee Eun-Sook and Lee Hoe-Yeong, left for Manchuria in tandem and settled in Seogando.
“On the 27th, we arrived safely across the border, so everyone was happy to meet and have a happy New Year, but what excitement would there be for asylum seekers who abandoned their parents’ country. But, Everyone is fiercely patriotic, everyone is refreshed from the abuse of the Japanese, and they hope for the future and live only with joy.”
– The book ‘Seogandosijonggi’(西間島始終記) –
Life in Seogando was not easy, including conflicts with residents of Seogando Island in China, difficulties in maintaining the Shinheung Military Academy and independence movements, and misunderstandings related to Japanese espionage.
However, Lee Hoe-Yeong continued to train independence forces and carried out various independence movements. Lee Eun-Sook supported the independence movement, taking responsibility for the food, clothing, and shelter of Lee Hoe-young, various independence activists, and students at Shinheung Military Academy, even in the face of a lack of finances and food.
As the financial situation continued to deteriorate, Lee Eun-Sook returned to her country in 1925 and continued the independence movement in her way.
She made money from working at a rubber shoe factory, repairing kisaengs’ clothes, and sewing women’s clothes. She sent that money to Beijing, China, where her husband Lee Hoe-Yeong was located, for food and military funds for the independence movement.
“Even if I wash people’s clothes and make their clothes every day, my monthly income is only about 20 won… It’s a relief for me to send it to my husband even in this way.”
– The book ‘Seogandosijonggi’(西間島始終記) –
In 1932, she was shocked by the news of Lee Hoe-Yeong’s death,
But for her family and country, Lee Eun-Sook never stopped supporting her sons and other independence activists who were continuing the independence movement.
After liberation, Lee Eun-Sook wrote her memoir, ‘Seogandosijonggi’.
Through her writings, as an independence activist, as a family member of an independence activist, and as a comrade, she wanted to remember herself, her husband-Lee Hoe-Yeong, various independence activists, and their efforts.
The book is the only handwritten copy of a female independence activist, and it has become a valuable resource in that it shows the process of the independence movement, history, life, and the chaotic period after liberation.
Lee Eun-Sook, who silently supported other independence activists in her way and wished for the happiness of her country and family, now become the 21st century Lee Eun-Sook and complete Korea that she dreamed of!