Independence patriot · Manchuria theater · Order of Independence Medal (Dongnipjang, 1977)
| Life | 1889 ~ 1933 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 경주 김씨 |
Kim Jung-geon (1889–1933) of the Gyeongju Kim clan, born in Yeongheung, South Hamgyong Province, founded Wonjonggyo, a religious movement reinterpreting Donghak thought, and in 1920 organized its followers into the armed independence group Daejindan. He built his teachings around the ideal of returning to a simple, natural way of life.
In 1929 he established the agricultural community of Eobokchon on wasteland in northern Manchuria, combining education with military training, and after the Manchurian Incident led armed resistance against Japanese forces. In March 1933 he was captured and executed by communist-aligned forces on the fabricated charge of being a "Minsaengdan" collaborator. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, in 1977.