The ‘Gwangju Student Independence Movement’ led by students in the Gwangju region in 1929 became a catalyst for students nationwide to actively engage in the independence movement against Japan.
At the time, Lee Hyo-jeong was a student at Dongduk Women’s High School in Gyeongseong (now Seoul) and had a talent for calligraphy and writing. She was extremely patriotic due to the influence of her relatives who were also independence activists.
Moreover, many teachers at Dongduk Women’s High School were independence activists, which meant that the students received an education that firmly instilled a belief in patriotism.
This foundation, along with the student independence movement against Japan that occurred in Gwangju in 1929 was a sufficient catalyst for Lee Hyo-jeong, who had long been dissatisfied with Japan’s suppression and educational policies.
Therefore, in December of the same year, she distributed a resolution demanding participation in a solidarity school strike and a Manse demonstration, planned with local schools.
The planned Manse demonstration was almost cancelled due to pressure from the Japanese police and the school’s ban. However, due to the strong determination of students such as Lee Hyo-jeong, the Manse demonstration took place on the school playground, which made it difficult for the police to take them into custody.
Lee Hyo-jeong’s determination towards the independence movement continued, leading to the formation of the nationalist study group ‘Gyeongseong RS Reading Club’ and the ‘Blank Paper Union,’ which submitted exam answer sheets as blank pages.
The more the independence movement progressed, the more Japanese suppression and torture became increasingly severe, However, Hyo-jeong’s drive for independence was her sole purpose in life, a drive that was unmatched by anyone.
After the liberation, Lee Hyo-jeong continued to make great efforts to stand with the weak such as laborers and students, so that the Republic of Korea could develop in a better direction. Now, become the 21st-century Lee Hyo-jeong and complete Korea that she dreamed of!