Yun Chi-ho

Who was Yun Chi-ho?

Yun Chi-ho was an important political activist and thinker during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Joseon Korea. He was a strong nationalist especially in his early years; pushing for reform and modernization in the Joseon government. He was involved in important organizations such as the Independence Club led by Seo Jae-pil. He also served in various government positions and was a strong supporter of Christianity in Korea

Although Yun’s early years were filled with strong support of patriotic and nationalist movements, there seemed to have been a change in Yun’s approach to Korean independence in the wake of the Japanese dominance in Korea, starting with Korea becoming a protectorate of Japan in 1904, and then fully annexed into the Japanese Empire in 1910. Because of Yun’s apparent change in attitude toward Korean independence and his lack of support of nationalist movements, like the 1919 Samil Movement, many Koreans today see him as a collaborator with the Japanese.