채원개 蔡元凱
Independence activist and commander of the First Unit of the Korean Liberation Army
| Life | 1895 ~ 1974 |
| Era | 일제강점기~현대 |
| Clan | 평강 채씨 |
Life & career
Chae Won-gae (March 24, 1895 - February 16, 1974) was an independence activist of the Pyeonggang seat from Yeongwon, Pyeongan. When his school was closed he served four years in the Joseon infantry unit to study military science.
He returned home and joined the March First Movement in 1919 and was arrested; he escaped, went into exile in Manchuria and worked as training chief of the Korean Independence Corps. In 1921 he attended the National Representatives Conference as a delegate of the Tongui-bu, and on the provisional government's orders was sent to the Luoyang army academy to lead Korean students; he also took part in China's Zhili-Fengtian war.
In 1925 the provisional government appointed him army captain and a Pyeongan member of the Provisional Assembly, and he was elected to the panel judging the impeachment of Syngman Rhee (Yi Seung-man). He became a military committee member of the Chamui-bu in 1926, guided students at Whampoa Academy in 1927, was director-general of the Korean Liberation Army headquarters in 1942 and commander of its First Unit in 1944. After liberation he worked for compatriots' property and safe return, came home in December 1946, and after the Korea Military Academy special course served as regiment and division commander, retiring as brigadier general in 1950. He is listed as belonging to the Donnyeong-gong branch.
Exile in Manchuria
After arrest during the March First Movement he escaped and served in Manchuria as training chief of the Korean Independence Corps.
The Provisional Government and the Liberation Army
In 1925 he was appointed army captain and Provisional Assembly member, in 1942 director-general of the Liberation Army headquarters, and in 1944 commander of its First Unit.
After Liberation
He returned in 1946, completed the military academy special course and retired as brigadier general in 1950.
Grave
The tomb was not confirmed here.