The Life and Independence Movement of Mukgwan Hyun Ik-cheol

Hyun Ik-cheol(1890~1938) was a person who continued to campaign for Korean independence from the 1910s to the 1930s and devoted his entire life to it. However, his activities did not receive attention in previous studies. Hyun Ik-cheol defected to Manchuria in 1918, dissatisfied with the Japanese rule. After the March 1st Movement in 1919, he began a full-fledged independence movement while working in the Hanjokhoe(韓族會) and the Seorogunjungseo(西路軍政署) In 1920, he organized the Gwanghandan(光韓團) to destroy major Japanese institutions and recruit military funds. After that, he worked in the DaehanTonguibu(大韓統義府), and when the Junguibu(正義府) was established in 1924, he served as a member of the Foreign Ministry. Since 1926, Hyun Ik-cheol has been appointed as the head of the finance department and worked on financial management and the autonomy of Koreans who lived in Manchuria. He then participated in the movement of the National Unity Party, created the Gukminbu(國民府) and became the executive chairman. However, due to changes in Soviet policy in the late 1920s, an anti-Gukminbu movement of socialist forces in Manchuria took place. Hyun Ik-cheol, along with the Chinese government, tried to drive out the socialist forces. However, he was caught under Japanese surveillance and arrested. After that, he moved to Nanjing and served as a military member of the National Revolution Party(民族革命黨), the Joseon Revolution Party(朝鮮革命黨), and the Korean Provisional Government. In particular, he participated in the liberation movement and worked hard to unite the nationalist camp. And based on his experience in Manchuria, he prepares for a war with Japan. However, in 1938, Lee un-hwan attacked and was shot and suddenly killed at the age of 49.