One of the 33 national representatives of the March 1st Movement and a Cheondogyo leader; religious name Yeonam
| Life | 1865 ~ 1948 |
| Era | 일제강점기 |
| Clan | 평택 임씨 |
Im Ye-hwan (1865-1948) was an independence activist of the Pyeongtaek Im clan and one of the 33 national representatives of the March 1st Movement. Born in Junghwa, South Pyeongan, he studied the classics as a youth, and his Cheondogyo religious name was Yeonam.
He joined Donghak in 1888 at age 24 and took part in the 1894 Donghak Peasant Movement. When anti-Japanese and pro-Japanese factions clashed inside Cheondogyo around the annexation, he supported Son Byeong-hui's anti-Japanese line. Traveling to Seoul on 25 February 1919 to report the end of a prayer meeting, he met Son Byeong-hui, Gwon Dong-jin and O Se-chang and agreed to join the movement, along with Pyeongan Cheondogyo leaders Na In-hyeop, Hong Gi-jo and Na Yong-hwan.
On 27 February he signed the declaration drafted by Choe Nam-seon, and on 1 March he took part in the Taehwagwan gathering where it was read and cheers for independence were raised. He was arrested, sentenced to two years and served the term. He continued anti-Japanese activity after release and died of illness in 1948. He posthumously received the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Presidential Medal, in 1962.
Im Ye-hwan entered Donghak in 1888 and took part in the 1894 peasant movement. His following of the line of Son Byeong-hui as Donghak became Cheondogyo underlies his later career.
In late February 1919 Cheondogyo representatives met in Seoul and signed the declaration, and on 1 March they read it at Taehwagwan and then had themselves arrested. Im Ye-hwan is recorded as present with the Pyeongan Cheondogyo representatives.
In 1962 the Korean government conferred the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Presidential Medal.
The location of his grave was not confirmed here.