Overview
Kim Gu (金九, 1876-1949) was a Korean independence activist and politician who served as the President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. His pen name was Baekbeom (白凡), and he is revered as a symbolic figure of the Korean independence movement.
Basic Information
| Birth Name | Kim Chang-am (金昌巖), later changed to Kim Gu |
|---|---|
| Pen Name | Baekbeom (白凡) |
| Life | August 29, 1876 - June 26, 1949 |
| Birthplace | Haeju, Hwanghae Province |
| Key Position | President of the Provisional Government of Korea |
Life
Early Life and Donghak Activities
Born in 1876 in Haeju, Hwanghae Province. After failing the civil service examination in his youth, he joined the Donghak movement and participated in the Donghak Peasant Revolution. In 1896, he was imprisoned for killing a Japanese man named Tsuchida in the Chihapo Incident but later escaped.
Provisional Government Activities
After the March 1st Movement in 1919, he fled to Shanghai and joined the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. He served as Police Bureau Chief and Minister of Home Affairs before becoming President of the Provisional Government in 1940.
Armed Resistance Against Japan
He organized the Korean Patriotic Corps and directed operations including Yun Bong-gils Shanghai bombing (1932) and Lee Bong-changs Tokyo attack (1932). These incidents brought international attention to the Korean independence movement.
After Liberation
Return and Political Activities
After liberation in 1945, he returned to Korea and led the movement against trusteeship. Opposing the division of Korea, he visited Pyongyang in 1948 for North-South negotiations, but the effort failed.
Assassination
On June 26, 1949, he was assassinated at Gyeonggyojang by Army Lieutenant Ahn Du-hee. He was 74 years old.
Writings
Baekbeom Ilji (The Diary of Baekbeom)
Kim Gus autobiography is an important record of Korean independence movement history. In the chapter "My Wish," he presented his vision for a cultural powerhouse nation.
"I wish our nation to become the most beautiful nation in the world. I do not wish it to become the most powerful nation. The only thing I desire infinitely is the power of high culture."
Memorials and Commemoration
- Baekbeom Memorial Hall (Yongsan-gu, Seoul)
- Tomb at Hyochang Park
- Kim Gu Birthday Memorial Events
- Posthumously awarded the Republic of Korea Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation
Legacy
Kim Gu dedicated his entire life to his countrys independence and unification. He remains one of the most respected historical figures among Korean people.