The anti-Japanese struggle of Mokpo workers during the Japanese colonial period is being revisited through university students' historical research, marking the 100th anniversary of the Mokpo Union strike in 1926.
Mokpo National University is hosting an academic event to reflect on the lives and anti-Japanese activities of independence activists from the Namdo region. The 34th Student Academic Symposium, themed 'Hear the Cry of History! Reexamining Namdo's Independence Activists,' will take place on November 5 at 2 p.m. in the university's 70th Anniversary Memorial Hall.
This symposium aims to explore the historical significance of various anti-Japanese movements in the Namdo region, including labor, farmer, student, and women's movements during the colonial period.
This year marks the centennial of the Mokpo Union strike, which is significant as it examines how the struggle for workers' rights was connected to the broader national movement against colonial rule.
The event will feature six research papers that students have developed over the past year through direct examination and analysis of historical materials.
In the first session, 'Remembering the 100th Anniversary of the Union Strike,' student Lee Won-hee will present on Kim Young-sik's labor and national movements in Mokpo, while Lee Kyu-han will discuss Park Je-min's leadership in the union strike and anti-Japanese activities.
The second session, 'From Tenant Struggles to National Anti-Japanese Movements,' will include presentations by student Park Joo-sung on Seo Tae-seok's activities with the Seoul Youth Association and farmer movements, and Ki Chan on Oh Won-seok's activities in the Gangjin farmer movement and anti-Japanese efforts.
The third session, 'The Anti-Japanese Spirit of Island People and Modern Women,' will feature student Seo Jun-hyun discussing Song Nae-ho's anti-Japanese movement in Soan-do, and Park Ji-eun presenting on Jo Ah-ra's Baekcheongdan activities and women's independence movements.
Following the presentations, designated discussants including Oh Jun, Lee Hae-in, Jeon Myung-geon, Choi Jin-woo, Ko Dae-young, and Kim Soo-yeon will review the research findings and discuss historical issues.
The overall commentary will be provided by Professor Park Chan-seung, an expert in modern Korean history. Professor Park was instrumental in organizing the first student academic symposium in 1991 while at Mokpo National University, making his return to evaluate the presentations of current students particularly noteworthy.
This event is significant not only for commemorating local independence activists but also for allowing university students to academically reassess the contributions of regional figures through direct examination of historical materials.
Choi Seong-hwan, a professor at Mokpo National University, stated, 'This event represents the students' research achievements aimed at uncovering the forgotten independence activists of Namdo and revitalizing their historical value. We hope it serves as a valuable opportunity for students to grow as historical researchers while shedding new light on the region's anti-Japanese movement history.'
Since its inception in 1991, the Mokpo National University Student Academic Symposium has continued as a platform for students to lead historical research and present their findings. This year, it reflects on the anti-Japanese movements of workers, farmers, island residents, and women across the Namdo region in light of the 100th anniversary of the Mokpo Union strike.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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