From final brushstrokes to burnt Taegeukgi: Illuminating Korea’s resistance heritage

Come Friday Korea commemorates its 80th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule and in light of this occasion a number of related exhibitions are underway here on the local front.

Our Park Hyo-been takes us to one such event.

Korea's darkest days, and the courage of those who refused to bow, now gathered in one place.

To mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's Liberation from Japanese colonial rule, a special exhibition at Deoksugung Palace brings together over 110 artifacts from the late 19th century to the day the nation reclaimed its freedom.

"For the first time, Korean independence hero Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy is being showcased to the public. These two letters, meaning 'green bamboo', show his strong opposition to Japanese rule."

His final brushstrokes, made in a cold Lushun prison cell before his execution, capture not only defiance against Japan, but also a longing for peace in Asia and respect for human dignity.

From here, the story turns to lesser-known independence fighters.

Min Young-hwan took his own life in protest after Japan's illegal Eulsa Treaty stripped Korea of its sovereignty, writing, "If our freedom and independence are restored, I shall gladly smile even in the afterlife."

Manifestos and letters from Korea's civilian militias, known as the righteous armies, also bear the weight of defiance, with some returning to Korea only last year after decades in Japan.

The spirit of defiance is also preserved in the national flag, a Taegeukgi found at Jingwansa Temple, riddled with holes and burn marks.

Believed to have been made during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919, it bears the Korean flag's taegeuk symbol and trigrams painted in black ink over the Japanese flag, amplifying the message of resistance.

"This Taegeukgi, national flag of Korea, found at Jingwansa Temple, is even more meaningful as it shows just how fiercely our independence fighters carried out their work in secrecy."

Bringing these treasures together is what makes this exhibition truly historic.

"While marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, this exhibition is most meaningful for bringing together authentic resistance heritage from both institutions and individuals in one place."

Liberation was never given.

It was earned, with blood, sweat, and hope.

Eighty years on, their courage still lights the path toward the freedom they dreamed of.

Park Hyo-been, Arirang News.