Son Byong-hi

Who was Son Byong-hi?

Son Byong-hi was a Korean nationalist and Korean independence activist. He was born in Cheongju, in Chungcheong province. In 1884 he heard of the Donghak religion and its ideals of supporting the nation and comforting the people, and decided to become a member.

After joining Donghak, Son entered into a period of profound training that included reading and reciting the Donghak "Incantation of Twenty-One Letters" thirty thousand times a day. In addition he made straw sandals, which he sold at the market in Cheongju. He is thought to have lived in this manner for roughly three years.

After this period, Son Byong-Hi became the student of Choe Si-hyeong, who was the second leader of Donghak, and entered a life of devoted study. In 1894 Choe Si-hyeong led the Donghak Peasant Revolution in protest at the corruption of the Joseon government, and Son Byong-Hi served as a commander. This revolution quickly grew into a resistance struggle against foreign invasion and occupation, in which Japan was the principal target. Choe's forces met defeat in 1895, however, and the revolution was put down at the hands of Japan's superior modern weaponry. After living for some years as a fugitive, Choe Si-hyeong was captured by pursuing government troops in 1898 and executed, although he had foreseen that his time was marked, and on December 24, 1897 he ordained Son Byong-Hi as the 3rd Great Leader of Donghak.