뉴스레터

Park Hwan, professor of history at the University of Suwon

Having graduated from the department of history at Seogang University, Park Hwan received a doctoral degree in literature in the university's graduate school. He is conducting research with great interest in the Korean independence movement in the continent, including Manchuria and Russia, and has been expanding the horizon of his perception through photographs and videos. He led the Association for Historical Studies on the Korean National Movement, and has been a professor of history at the University of Suwon since 1986.

He authored "March First Movement Scenes Seen via Photos and Memories and Spaces of Revolution", “Lives of Koreans in Russia Seen via Photos and Spaces of Memory", "Lives of Koreans in Manchuria Seen via Photos and Spaces of Memory", "Pechka Choi Jae-hyeong", "Rediscovery of the Korean National Movement in Manchuria", "Research into the Korean National Movement in Manchuria", and "Ahn Jung-geun: National Hero and Light of the Times".

Photographs have greater value as historical records in conveying incidents vibrantly and showing a sense of history at the point of occurrence. They often serve as useful materials in helping to understand history in three dimensions and in depth.

The activities of independence fighters in the continents such as in Primorsky Krai who had endeavored to expose the atrocities of the Japanese Empire to the world and advocate Joseon's independence have not been publicized well in comparison to their importance. We met with Professor Park Hwan, who had been introducing diverse audiovisual materials such as photographs and videos and delivering the heart-rending experiences of forgotten history.

Q. You have been devoting yourself to research into the history of the independence movement against Japan since the 1980s. Among all of that, what was it that especially prompted you to take interest in the national movements that occurred in the continent, including in Manchuria and Primorsky Krai?

A. Primarily, a curiosity about Manchuria and Siberia and an aspiration for them seem to have affected my decision. Lively narratives about nature, living, bandits, and so on that I had heard from surviving patriots like Lee Gang-hun and Lee Gyu-chang also prompted me to direct my interest toward the continent. The national movement in Russia had not been studied properly compared to its importance; furthermore, the armed struggles conducted there had been undervalued as well. My late father Professor Park Yeong-seok, who majored in this field, told me a great deal about it. All of these things affected me in taking interest in the national movements in the continent.

Q. Historians have studied the history of the independence movement focusing on bibliographic data or survivors' narratives and records. The photographic data book that you published on the 100th anniversary of the March First Independence Movement in 2019 is evaluated as vibrantly conveying the circumstances of the independence movement. How great an awareness does historians and ordinary people have about photographs?

A. This is a bit unfamiliar, but I am the one who advocates photographic history studies. This is to say that photographs should be interpreted and analyzed from the perspective of history. While engaging in historical studies, you need to visit the scenes of that history. Yet the work to bring to light the accurate locations and points of history is very difficult. That is because few records often remain other than bibliographic data when you try to find the data needed to restore one point accurately. I think that photographic data offers ample inspiration in studying historical facts. But photographs can hold the photographer’s intentions, so this must also be considered in the interpretation. On the one hand, I feel sad about the fact that our historians have not properly used photographs as historical data. It is really regrettable to see data photos used in books or broadcasting programs where they deliver erroneous descriptions. It appears that historical studies should now develop in the direction of converging with various content beyond the categories of orthodox or specialized historical studies.

Q. Recently, you have introduced a great deal of diverse photographic data bringing back our shouts and memories of history. Please explain what Primorsky Krai looked like at the time of the March First Independence Movement.

A. In Russia’s Primorsky Krai, the March First Independence Movement was conducted actively revolving around such regions as Vladivostok and Ussuriysk on March 17, 1919, but there is no vivid record that can let you feel that touching moment. We cannot help shuddering to find that there are no photographs showing the activities performed in the Shinhan Village of Vladvostok, the sacred place of our independence movement, marking the first anniversary of the March First Independence Movement in 1920. The ones remaining include photos showing numerous compatriots marching on the hill of the Shinhan Village, with the Taegeukgi flag at the head, and the wooden independence gate on the hill. I was delighted recently to find that a photo was discovered showing the commemorative ceremony of the March First Independence Movement held in Ussuriysk in 1923. It is a precious record revealing the strong will of Koreans in Primorsky Krai to inherit the spirit of the March First Independence Movement; I thought that the fact that the Taegeukgi and the red flag are hoisted together reflects what life was like at the time.

Q. As data and photos have not been excavated, many regions have failed to prove their importance or shed light on their activities. If more visual materials including photos in the field of history are discovered and studied, the public will be able to understand the history of the independence movement and how independence was realized.

A. Today is the age of historical consumption. Many people read, hear, see, and enjoy history in various ways. The public, in particular, takes more interest in audiovisual data rather than the difficult bibliographical data written on a professional basis. I believe that it is urgent to excavate such diverse content as photos, images, and sound sources to know how the public understands and utilizes history and to let history take root in everyday life.

However, such basic tasks as accurate analysis and interpretation of these data must be prioritized. Thus, now is the time to focus on the task of adding correct descriptions to photographic data. Historical studies alongside the public and breathing with the public are now more precious than ever before.

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

Q. You said that we must focus more on the task of adding correct descriptions to such data as photos. Let us know if there are any data that have been known to us mistakenly.

A. Let me tell you about just a few things on the occasion of the centennial of the Battle of Qiangshanli. The photo allegedly featuring a "Japanese brigade under the 19th Division in Nanam marching toward Qingshanli after crossing the Domungang River to wipe out the Korean independence army" is actually the one taken in the Russo-Japanese War in March of 1905. The alleged photo of "Japanese troops transporting the injured in the Battle of Qingshanli" (photo 1) is in fact the one taken at the Huajong frontline in September of 1939.

In addition, the photo of "damaged Korean farms in Gando" (photo 2) and that of "women and children having lost their homes, husbands, and children" (photo 3) are actually those taken at the time of the "Changkufeng Incident" that occurred in the Tumen River basin in 1938. There are also several other photos related to the March First Independence Movement. As a historian, I feel sorry that these misunderstood data are introduced without filtering.

Q. It took a long while before the accomplishments of Mr. Choi Jae-hyeong, who sponsored "Ahn Jung-geun's patriotic deed" and was called the godfather of the independence movement, fully came into the spotlight. What do you think is the reason for this?

A. I think it has something to do with diplomatic relations, historical circumstances, and historians' research atmosphere. Until the 1990s when Korea and Russia established diplomatic ties, there had been no excavation of records or site visits due to the absence of bilateral exchanges. That is why the history of the struggles against Japan in Russia's Primorsky Krai, the main site of the independence movement, was not known properly and there had not been decent monuments.

I was able to collect related materials and conduct research after I made an on-site survey of Primorsky Krai for the first time in 1992 and met Choi Jae-hyeong's three daughters—Choi Olga (Moscow, Russia), Choi Lyudmilla (Karakol, Kyrgyzstan) and Choi Elizabeth (Almaty, Kazakhstan)—in 1995.

Ten years have passed since then as I was collecting and ascertaining bibliographic and photographic data and visiting Russia’s Primorsky Krai and Central Asia. As a result, I was able to publish a book on the study, entitled "Pechka Choi Jae-yeong". I was delighted as a researcher to bring a new historical figure onto the stage. I am proud to have excavated and studied Choi Jae-hyeong and facilitate the rebirth of today’s Choi Jae-hyeong.

Q. Although Mr. Choi Jae-hyeong was appointed as the first finance minister of the Republic of Korea Provisional Government, he could not build any particular relations with the Provisional Government. Please explain the reason for this and the relationship between the independence movement in Primorsky Krai and the Provisional Government in Shanghai.

A. Choi Jae-hyeong conducted activities in the Provisional Government from April to June of 1919. He did not go to Shanghai, the location of the Provisional Government, to defend the site of the independence movement in Primorsky Krai where his compatriots were to back him. The independence movement in Primorsky Krai and the Provisional Government in Shanghai appear to have been in a mutually cooperative relationship. When the Provisional Government was formed in Shanghai, a few independence activists took part, including Moon Chang-beom and Choi Jae-hyeong. As ample physical and human resources for the independence movement existed in Primorsky Krai, it was possible to assist the Provisional Government in Shanghai. There was also some conflict between them as time passed.

Q. In that case, what decisively prompted Mr. Choi Jae-hyeong to devote himself to Joseon's independence?

A. Meeting with Yi Beom-yun, a Gando administrator at the time of the Russo-Japanese War, led Choi Jae-hyeong, a military goods supplier then, to gain a national identity. At first, he worked hard for Russian triumph in the Russo-Japanese War as a Russian of Korean descent who became naturalized. But he might have judged that continuing to fight Japan after Russia's defeat would be good for Russia and contribute to his entrepreneurial gains. I would think that in this process, dialogue with Yi Beom-yun had instilled him in the national consciousness, thereby encouraging him to join the ranks of the anti-Japan struggle.

Q. Is there any message delivered to us by Mr. Choi Jae-hyeong, who donated all of his fortune for the Joseon independence, Koreans in Primorsky Krai, and the righteous army volunteers exiled to Russia?

A. It could be said to be the wealthy person's sacrifice or charity. Mr. Choi Jae-hyeong, who had been born as a slave, made his fortune and became a man of great wealth in Russia's Primorsky Krai. Nevertheless, he did not have connections with politics. He was a non-political figure who rejected a call from Joseon’s royal court at the time of the Korean royal refuge at the Russian legation. He was the leader in the field that was shot to death by Japan after remaining in Primorsky Krai to fight. At the same time, Choi was an educator who contributed to the education of compatriots by building many schools. He was a warm-hearted person who gave alms to everyone. People called him "Pechka", from a Russian word meaning a stove. His message is none other than warmth.

Q. 2020 is the year that Korea and Russia celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. As a scholar struggling to excavate historical facts of the Koreans in Manchuria and Primorsky Krai who tried to inherit the spirit of the March First Independence Movement, how do you expect the relationship between Korea and Russia to progress?

A. I would like to emphasize the Korea-Russia and Russia-Korea mutual "friendship". Russia is a warm friend who helped our independence movement against Japan when we were in trouble. Let's remember Sergey Lazo, a Russian revolutionary who sacrificed his life for revolutionary movements with Koreans while Choi Jae-hyeong was active. I think it is necessary to let Russians know that we were also their friends through such historical facts. We should publicize the fact that Ahn Jung-geun’s assassination of Ito Hirobumi was dedicated to the common peace that Korea and Russia had longed for.

Q. I would like to ask for your proposal on the role of the Foundation for the inheritance and development of our independence spirit and studies on the independence movement history.

A. Given the nature of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, it is less necessary to deal with the independence movement history in person. Yet I hope that there will be diverse research from the microscopic perspective beyond the perspective of Korean history. By region, it is necessary to deal broadly with such countries as Mongolia, Russia, and the United States as well as Japan and China. At the same time, it may be necessary to conduct three-dimensional research into the advances of England, France, and other Western nations into Asia and Africa from the viewpoint of comparative history. I also hope that the Foundation will take interest in photos, videos, and sound sources along with the translation of bibliographic data.