Independence activist of the New People's Association, Uiyeoldan and Singanhoe; first vice-governor of North Gyeongsang and mayor of Daegu after liberation; pen name Jio
| Life | 1880 ~ 1949 |
| Era | 일제강점기·광복 직후 |
| Clan | 인천 이씨 |
Yi Gyeong-hui (李慶熙, 1880-1949) was an educator of the Korean Empire, independence activist and politician from Incheon, courtesy name Gunseon or Gunmi, pen name Jio, meaning 'I who lost my country am a fool'. Born in Mutae-ri, Gongsan-myeon, Dalseong (now Buk District, Daegu) as the son of Yi Byeong-du, he is said to be a nineteenth-generation descendant of Yi Mun-hwa. His younger brother Yi Gang-hui was also an activist. He graduated from Giho Middle School in Seoul in 1905, opposed the Eulsa Treaty, and after it was forced through turned to teaching at Hyeopseong School in Daegu and Hyeopdong School in Andong.
In 1909 he helped found the Youth Study Association with Ahn Chang-ho and Yun Chi-ho, and in 1910 joined the New People's Association to raise funds for independence bases. Fleeing the 105-Man Incident to Manchuria, he raised funds for what became the Sinheung Military Academy in West Jiandao and founded Dalsin School in Shenyang. After the March First Movement he took part in forming the Uiyeoldan with Kim Won-bong in Jilin and in 1923 prepared to bring bombs, pistols and Sin Chae-ho's manifesto into Korea to blow up the Government-General building; he was arrested at Jongno Police Station just before the attempt and served a year. He later helped organise Singanhoe branches in North Gyeongsang.
Late in the occupation he refused to adopt a Japanese name and lived hidden as a farmer near Daegu. On 16 August 1945 he was commissioned first vice-governor of North Gyeongsang and concurrently mayor of Daegu to prevent an administrative vacuum, served as civil officer under the US military government, and resigned in September 1946 disillusioned with its policies. He became president of the Namseon Economic Newspaper in 1949 and died at his Daegu home on 4 December that year, aged 69. He received the National Foundation Commendation in 1980 and the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal, in 1990, and a memorial stands in Mangu Park, Daegu. Some details follow Wikipedia, so please check the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs records too.
He taught at Hyeopseong and Hyeopdong schools and joined the Youth Study Association and the New People's Association.
While planning to blow up the Government-General building with bombs brought in from Manchuria, he was arrested and served one year.
Commissioned first vice-governor of North Gyeongsang and mayor of Daegu in August 1945, he resigned in September 1946.
He is said to be buried on Garambong in Dongbyeon-dong (formerly Mutae), Buk District, Daegu (Wikipedia).
His younger brother Yi Gang-hui (1898-1940) was also an independence activist.