Kang Ryang-uk

Who was Kang Ryang-uk?

[Aside from an entire lack of sources, this article without explanation discusses Kang Lyanguk, whereas the article appears under the name Kang Ryang-uk.]

Kang Lyanguk was a North Korean Protestant Minister and Chairman of the Christian Federation during the 1950s.

Kang Lyanguk was the maternal uncle of North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung. In his early years he was a school teacher. In the 1940s he studied Theology at the Pyongyang University and after he completed his study he became a Minister.

Kang Lyanguk became one of the close advisers of Kim Il Sung shortly after his return from the Soviet Union in October 1945. In 1946 he became the Chairman of the Christian League, later called Christian Federation. This organisation was in close contact with the Communist Party. In 1949 all Protestant Ministers were forced to join Kang's Christian Federation.

On March 1, 1946 some Korean activists tried to assassinate Kim Il Sung during a meeting. His life was saved by a Russian bodyguard. Later some of these same activists killed the son of Kang Lyanguk and his future wife on their wedding day. After this killing the Communist started a campaign to "eliminate the reactionary forces."