남자현 南慈賢
Woman independence activist in Manchuria, recipient of the Presidential Medal of the Order of National Foundation, called 'the female Ahn Jung-geun'
| Life | 1872 ~ 1933 |
| Era | 일제강점기 |
| Clan | 영양 남씨 |
Life & career
Nam Ja-hyeon (南慈賢, 1872-1933) was a woman independence activist of the Yeongyang Nam clan, born in Ilgik-hyeon, Andong, the youngest daughter of Nam Jeong-han and a lady of the Jinseong Yi family. She married Kim Yeong-ju in 1891; her husband is said to have died fighting as a righteous army fighter after the 1895 Eulmi incident, and she raised her posthumous son Kim Seong-sam while caring for her parents-in-law.
In 1907 she helped her father's righteous army by recruiting men and gathering intelligence, and after joining the March First Movement in 1919 she went into exile in Manchuria with her son. She joined the Western Route Military Government, raising funds and supporting imprisoned activists, and founded twelve churches and about ten women's education associations in eastern Manchuria. She entered Korea in 1924 and 1926, the second time intending to assassinate Governor-General Saito Makoto.
In 1928 she campaigned for the release of 47 independence activists arrested in Jilin and secured their bail, and in 1932 she cut off a finger and sent a blood letter appealing for independence when the League of Nations' Lytton Commission visited Harbin. In 1933 she planned to assassinate Kwantung Army commander Muto Nobuyoshi but was arrested after being betrayed in February. Released on medical bail after a hunger strike in prison, she died on 22 August in Harbin at 60. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of the Order of National Foundation in 1962.
From a Righteous-Army Family to Manchuria
Shaped by a husband and father who fought as righteous army fighters, she turned to anti-Japanese activity early and, after the March First Movement, went to Manchuria with her son and joined the Western Route Military Government.
Enlightenment and Support Work
She founded churches and women's education associations in eastern Manchuria, raised funds and supported imprisoned activists. In 1928 she won bail for 47 arrested activists.
The Blood Letter and Martyrdom
She sent a blood letter to the Lytton Commission in 1932, was arrested in 1933 while plotting to assassinate Muto Nobuyoshi, and died soon after release on medical bail. She received the Presidential Medal of the Order of National Foundation in 1962.
Grave
Grave information was not confirmed here.
Descendants
She had a son, Kim Seong-sam.