SECTION THREE: 국민대표회의 선언문 Korean National Council (Hanseong) Section Three is a selection of documents related to the “Korean National Council” (later also known as the “Hanseong Provisional Government”). Despite the arrest and imprisonment of the original signers of the March 1st Declaration, a delegation comprising of representatives from all thirteen provinces met in Seoul in April to draft a series of “working documents” calling for the establishment of a western-styled democracy as opposed to the restoration of the monarchy as the legitimate form of governance for the people of Korea. Henry Chung notes: On April 23, 1919, at a time when the persecution was at its height, delegates from each of the thirteen provinces of Korea met in Seoul, framed a constitution creating a Republic and elected the first Ministry. The Constitution, in general, outlined the representative form of Government, guaranteeing to citizens such rights as freedom of speech, liberty of worship, right of petition, equality before the law, etc. The Ministry was composed of the President, the Premier and the Minsters of Foreign Affairs, Interior, War, Finance, Justice, Education, Communication, Labour, and Chief of Staff. Everyone of the men elected had been in public affairs in Korea in the past.1 Interestingly, the list of the officials elected by this particular body was not included in Section Three by Kim Young Wo.2 The list is similar to the Cabinet of the Unified Provisional Government used in Section Nine (see page 230). Numbers in boldface indicates original page numbers for Kim Young Wo’s book. The ones in brackets are specific to this translation. Prospectus from the Korean National Council (國民大會; 국민대회) 28 [64] Representatives of the Thirteen Provinces 29 [66] Six Principles of Government Declared by the Korean National 29 [67] Council Letter from the Korean National Council Smuggled in a Doll 30 to the U.S. by the Wife of a Missionary 1 Henry Chung, The Case of Korea (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1921), 211. 2 Frederick Arthur McKenzie provides the names of those selected for key offices by the representatives of the thirteen provinces meeting on April 23. See Korea’s Fight for Freedom (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1920), 303-304. © Ka Noio ʻAʻe ʻAle Press, 2021 Page | 63 국민대회취지서 PROSPECTUS OF THE KOREAN NATIONAL COUNCIL From Korea’s Fight for Freedom1 The National Council issued a statement of its aims and purpose: April 22, 1919 We, the people of Korea, represented by thirty-three men, including Son Pyeng Heui [Son Byung Hi], have already made the Declaration of Independence of Korea, found on the principle of righteousness and humanity.2 With a view to upholding the authority of the Declaration, solidifying the foundations of the Independence, and meeting the natural needs of humanity, we, by combining the large and small groups and the provincial representatives, have organized the Korean National Council, and hereby proclaim it to the world. We, the people of Korea, have a history of over forty-two centuries, as a self-governing and separate state, and of special, creative civilization, and are a peace -loving race. We claim a right to be sharers in the world’s enlightenment, and contributors in the evolution of mankind. With a distinctive and world-wide glorious past, and our healthy national spirit, we should never be subjected to inhuman and unnatural oppression, nor assimilation by another race; and still less could we submit to the materialistic subjugation by the Japanese, whose spiritual civilization is 2.000 years behind ours. The world knows that Japan has violated the sworn treaties of the past and is robbing us of the right of existence. We, however, are not discussing the wrongs done us by the Japanese in the past, nor considering their accumulated sins; but, in order to guarantee our rights of existence, extend liberty and equality, safeguard righteousness and humanity, maintain the peace of the Orient, and respect the equitable welfare of the whole world, do claim the independence of Korea. This is truly the will of God, motivation of truth, just claim, and legitimate action. By this the world’s verdict is to be won, and the repentance of Japan hastened. At this time, when the militarism which once threatened the peace of the world is brought to submission, and when the world is being reconstructed for a lasting peace, will Japan refuse self- reflection and self-awakening? Obstinate clinging to the errors, which have gone contrary to the times and nature, will result in nothing but the diminution of the happiness of the two peoples and endangering of the peace of the world. This council demands with all earnestness that the 1 F. A. McKenzie, Korea’s Fight for Freedom (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1919), 305-307. 2 Son Byung Hi is singled out for praise, probably due his status as an elder “revolutionary”—in 1897, he became the leader of the Donghak Movement which eventually evolved into Cheondogyo. He died in 1922 as a result of mistreatment at Seodeamun Prison following his arrest in 1919. © Ka Noio ʻAʻe ʻAle Press, 2021 Page | 64 government of Japan abandon as early as possible the inhuman policy of aggression and firmly safeguard the tripodic relationship of the Far East, and further duly warn the people of Japan. Can it be that the conscience of mankind will calmly witness the cruel atrocities visited upon us by the barbarous military power of Japan for our actions in [on] behalf of the rights of life founded upon civilization? The devotion and blood of our 20,000,000 will never cease nor dry under this unrighteous oppression. If Japan does not repent and mend her ways for herself, our race will be obliged to take the final action, to the limit of the last man and the last minute, which will secure the complete independence of Korea. What enemy will withstand when our race marches forward with righteousness and humanity? With out utmost devotion and best labour we demand before the world our national independence and racial autonomy. Above, “체포 압송되는 3.1 운동 가담자; March 1st Participant Arrested,” 1919. Photo is from 국가기록원, the National Archives of Korea, and is considered open access. © Ka Noio ʻAʻe ʻAle Press, 2021 Page | 65 국민대회 十三도대표자 THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THIRTEEN PROVINCES Names are transcribed per Kim Young Wo’s book, page 29. Per existing documentation, Hanja and Hangul spellings of some of the names below have also been added along with a link to a photo of Lee Nae Su. Row 1 (top), right to left: Lee Man Jik (李萬稷; 이만직), Lee Nae Su (李來修; 이내수), Park Han Yeong (박한영), Park Jang Ho (朴長浩; 박장호), Lee Yong Joon (이용준) Row 2, right to left: Lee Yong Gyu (李容珪; 이용규), Ryu Sik (류식), Lee Jong Woo (李鍾雨; 이종우), Song Ji Hyeon (송지현), Lee Tong Wook (李東旭; 이동욱) Row 3, right to left: Kang Hoon (강훈), Kim Myeong Seon (金明宣; 김명선), Ryu Goon (柳瑾; 류근), Kang Ji Hyeong (姜芝馨; 강지형), Jang Seong (장성) Kim Ryu (김류), Gi Sik (기식), Ju Ik (주익), Hong Seong Row 4, left to right: Woo (홍성우), Jang Sa (장사) Choi Jeon Ku (崔銓九; 최전구), Kim Tak (金鐸; 김탁), Kim Hyeon Row 5 (bottom), left to Joon (金賢準; 김현준), Jeong Dam Gyo (정담교), Park Taek right (朴鐸; 박택) © Ka Noio ʻAʻe ʻAle Press, 2021 Page | 66 결의안 SIX PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT DECLARED BY THE KOREAN NATIONAL COUNCIL Left, proclamation announcing the meeting of the Korean National Council in April of 1919. Image is posted online by 국사 편찬 위원회, the National Institute of Korean History, and is considered public domain. From Korea’s Fight for Freedom1 RESOLUTIONS • That a Provisional Government shall be organized. • That a demand be made of the Government of Japan to withdraw the administrative and military organs from Korea. • That a delegation shall be appointed to the Paris Peace Conference. • That the Koreans in the employ of the Japanese Government shall withdraw. • That the people shall refuse to pay taxes to the Japanese Government. • That the people shall not bring petitions or litigations before the Japanese Government 1 Frederick Arthur McKenzie, Korea’s Fight for Freedom (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1919), 305- 307. This book is considered public domain. © Ka Noio ʻAʻe ʻAle Press, 2021 Page | 67 .