From Byeokdong County, North Pyeongan Province, Kim Yeong-ryeol joined the armed independence struggle on August 13, 1923 at the urging of activists based in Guandian County, China. Armed with a rifle, he attacked the police substation in Unsi-myeon, Byeokdong, killing an officer and setting fire to the substation and its quarters, and went on to raid the Daepyeong township office, collect funds from wealthy locals, and arrange hiding places for fellow activists.