Shin Dol-seok
Encyclopedia
Shin Dol-seok was a general of the Righteous Armies who fought against the Japanese army in the early 20th century. He was born in Yeonghae (now Yeongdeok), North Gyeongsang Province
. Because of the Eulmi Incident, in which a Korean empress was killed by the Japanese army, and an ordinance prohibiting topknot hairstyles, anti-Japanese sentiment
was running high. Therefore, armies were raised against Japan from people in every corner of the country. At that time, 19-year-old Shin Dol-seok also participated in the anti-Japanese movement
with his 100 soldiers. In 1905, the Eulsa Treaty (a.k.a. Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty) made a pact between Korea and Japan. Due to the unequal and compulsory nature of the treaty, many people including Shin Dol-seok struggled against the Japanese army. In 1907, Korea signed another unequal treaty with Japan, at which time the previously irregular Righteous Armies finally formed a union against the Japanese army. However, other generals ruled Shin Dol-seok out of the union because he was a commoner. In the Korea of that time, it was not easy for a commoner to lead an army because of the strong adherence to the status system. Yet, as he exhibited great leadership using guerrilla tactics, many people gave his army an enthusiastic welcome. In 1962, he was awarded for his distinguished services by the Korean government.
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyeongsangbuk-do or shortly Gyeongbuk is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea.The Gyeongsangbuk-do Office is...
. Because of the Eulmi Incident, in which a Korean empress was killed by the Japanese army, and an ordinance prohibiting topknot hairstyles, anti-Japanese sentiment
Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea
The Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea is complex and multi-faceted. Anti-Japanese sentiment attitudes in the Korea can be traced back to the effects of Japanese pirate raids and the Japanese invasions of Korea , such as dismembering more than 20,000 noses and ears from Koreans and bringing them back...
was running high. Therefore, armies were raised against Japan from people in every corner of the country. At that time, 19-year-old Shin Dol-seok also participated in the anti-Japanese movement
Korean independence movement
The Korean independence movement grew out of the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. After the Japanese surrendered, Korea became independent; that day is now an annual holiday called Gwangbokjeol in South Korea, and Chogukhaebangŭi nal in North Korea.-Background:In...
with his 100 soldiers. In 1905, the Eulsa Treaty (a.k.a. Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty) made a pact between Korea and Japan. Due to the unequal and compulsory nature of the treaty, many people including Shin Dol-seok struggled against the Japanese army. In 1907, Korea signed another unequal treaty with Japan, at which time the previously irregular Righteous Armies finally formed a union against the Japanese army. However, other generals ruled Shin Dol-seok out of the union because he was a commoner. In the Korea of that time, it was not easy for a commoner to lead an army because of the strong adherence to the status system. Yet, as he exhibited great leadership using guerrilla tactics, many people gave his army an enthusiastic welcome. In 1962, he was awarded for his distinguished services by the Korean government.