Independence patriot · Provisional Government · Order of Independence Merit (Dongnip-jang, 1963)
| Life | 1879 ~ 1966 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 전주 이씨 |
Yi Gwang helped found the Sinminhoe, Sinheung Military Academy and Gyeonghaksa, and served as a member of the Provisional Legislative Assembly.
Born in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, he joined the Sinminhoe in 1907 and took part in its 1909 leadership meeting at Yang Gi-tak's house, which resolved to establish an independence base and military academy in Manchuria. After the March 1st Movement he joined the Provisional Government and served as its Hunan liaison officer in Changsha in 1938. After liberation he headed a relief mission that rescued Korean compatriots encircled by the Eighth Route Army in North China, and after the founding of the Republic he served as the 2nd Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do, chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Minister of Communications.