현상윤 玄相允
One of the 48 national representatives of the March First Movement; first president of Korea University
| Life | 1893 ~ 1950 |
| Era | 일제강점기~대한민국 |
| Clan | 연주 현씨 |
Life & career
Hyeon Sang-yun (1893-1950), from Jeongju in North Pyongan, was an educator and historian of thought, pen name Gidang, classified as Yeonju Hyeon on Korean Wikipedia. A Waseda graduate, he also wrote short stories in 1914-1917.
He took part in the March First Movement as one of the 48 national representatives with Song Jin-u and was acquitted on appeal in 1920. After teaching and serving as principal of Boseong College (1943-1946), he became the first president of Korea University in 1947.
He was abducted to the north during the Korean War and is said to have died in a US bombing in Hwanghae in September 1950. He wrote Joseon Yuhaksa and Joseon Sasangsa. Assessments differ: he was named a prospective entry in the 2008 dictionary of pro-Japanese collaborators for wartime writings, yet reportedly refused the 1940 name-change recommendation.
Fiction and Studies
After English literature at Waseda he studied philosophy in graduate school, and wrote short stories such as Han-ui Ilsaeng and Cheongnyubyeok.
The March First Movement
He helped prepare the 1919 movement with Song Jin-u and was acquitted on appeal in 1920. A 1922 photograph shows him with Kim Seong-su and others; he later led Boseong College (1943-1946).
First President of Korea University
He became first president in 1947; the war broke out during his term and he was taken north. A posthumous doctorate was conferred in 1953.
Assessment and Controversy
He was listed in 2008 as a prospective entry in the collaborator dictionary for wartime writings, yet reportedly refused the 1940 name change. No independence-merit award is recorded, so no tag is applied; his clan is known from a category, not the text.
Grave
His remains are said to lie in the Cemetery for Pro-Unification Figures in Ryongsong district, Pyongyang.