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Editor's Note: Northeast Asian History Foundation News is launching a new feature, 'Historic Site Special,' which explores historic sites and their significance. In 2015, celebrating the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, it will specifically explore the historic sites of independence movement against Japan.

The stone sign indicating that
this was where the Independence
Hall used to stand

Walk past the Seodaemun intersection and toward Mt. Inwang until you spot Yeongcheon Market to your left before reaching the Independence Gate intersection. And look for a small stone sign on the Woori Bank road in front of the market. The sign marks the 'Site of the Independence Hall,' which was used as the office and meeting place of the Independence Association founded in 1896 by Seo Jae-pil (a.k.a. Philip Jaisohn) and others.

Before renovation, the Independence Hall was formerly the Mowha Hall in which Chinese envoys visiting Korea (Joseon) were ushered through the Yeongeun Gate. As the words 'Yeongeun (迎恩, ushering in grace)' and 'Mowha (慕華, admiring China)' suggest, it was one of the symbolic buildings that give us some idea of how submissive Korea had been to the stronger China in their diplomatic relations until the Sino-Japanese War.

While China faltered in the aftermath of its defeat in the Sino-Japanese War, Russia and Japan took over the fight for power in the land of Korea. Seo Jae-pil, a member of the Enlightenment Faction at that time, was at the center of the group of like-minded people, including Lee Sang-jae, Syngman Rhee, and Lee Wan-yong (who would leave the group later), who believed in embracing Western culture as a way to develop their country and established the Independence Association in July 1896.

The Independence Association tore down the Yeongeun Gate (but preserved its foundation stone to be placed next to the Independence Gate) and erected the Independence Gate in its place, and renovated the Mowha Hall and put up a signboard carrying the hall's name (獨立館: Independence Hall) in King Sunjong's own handwriting.

The Independence Gate erected behind the foundation stone of the Yeongeun Gate. To the left in the distance is the statue of Seo Jae-pil.

Ground-breaking ceremony for
the Independence GateThe Independence Hall and the
Independence Gate after their
construction

The Independence Hall had a signboard hanging ceremony in May 1897, and was completed in November the same year, becoming in earnest a place for lectures and discussions on the current state of affairs. The Independence Association used the Independence Hall in addition to The Independent, the newspaper it started to publish from April 1896, in stressing patriotism, enlightenment, and national self-strengthening. Slowly but surely, the Independence Association established itself as an opinion-leading social organization as it attracted intellectuals and they exchanged and spread their opinions to the public. It strongly argued for specific plans to reform internal affairs, including its opposition against the employment of foreign advisors and drill instructors and the transfer of the country's rights to underground resources and the construction of railways to foreign powers. In 1898, it hosted the Assembly of All People where its members were assembled in Jongno, Seoul petitioning King Gojong to adopt six reform plans related to the state of affairs.

As the Independence Association began gaining ground with its activities and assertions, the government officials and conservative forces who feared its rapid growth suppressed it without good reason, arresting its leaders and organizing the government-controlled Imperial Association to commit acts of terrorism against its members.

In the end, the Independence Association was disbanded by force, along with the Imperial Association. However, the Independence Association's spirit of independence was carried on by the Assembly of All People, the Great Korean Self-Strengthening Society, and the Great Korean Association. It was unfortunate that the Independence Association, Korea's first modern social and political organization, was active for no longer than two years.

After the Independence Association was disbanded, the Independence Hall served as the Survey Association's lecture hall, among other purposes, until it was torn down by force during the period of Japanese colonial rule. It would be restored later as the Seoul Metropolitan Government made plans in 1989 to create independent parks. Currently, it is used as a shrine dedicated to remembering patriotic martyrs.

The Independence Hall building restored in Seodaemun Independence Park. Today it is used as a shrine in memory of patriotic martyrs.