한말 高城 의병장 권형원의 의병투쟁과 단두 ‘釜煎’ 수난

Abstract

Kwon Hyeong-won(1854~1907), born in Kangwaon Province, Goseong-gun, was from noble family that had great influence over the rural community. At the time of Goseong Civil Rising, he was involved with the community director. This facts prove his family’s social status. Therefore, with his reputation as respected community leader, Kwon Hyeong-won become commander of Righteous Army at Goseong region and forefronted anti-Japanese movement. As chief of Righteous Army, he focused on striking a blow to Japanese fishers and merchants who were exploiting natural resources. For example, he arrested and punished four Japanese fisher mans and seized Japanese merchant’s goods. These series of events demonstrate, Kwon Hyeong-won refused to become bystander over Japanese exploitation. There are no written documents exits that confirm Kwon Hyeong-won participated in 1907 Righteous Army movement (except for the oral tradition). However the fact that Japanese military inflicted cruel punishment on him, indicates the oral tradition sound plausible. According to oral evidence from 1962, He was commander in chief of Righteous Army of vast regions, including Goseong, Tongcheon, Ganseong, Yangyang, Gangreung. He carried out several attacks on Japanese military and police forces. The raid of 350 Righteous Army soldiers were recorded on the documents of Japanese dispatched squadron. Unfortunately Kwon was captured 25th of October, right after Battle of Goseong Nam-gahng river and executed. After he die, his body was brutally abused by Japanese. They decapitated his head from the “dead body”, put in the cauldron and boiled it. It seems that, this story has been famous among people of that region. In particular, this story is also appears on remarkable author Park Eunshik’s book Painful History of Korea which makes reliable evidence. After his execution, his bones were sent to mainland Japan. Kwon Jheung-won who is a relative of Kwon hyeong-won, visually confirmed the skull of former Righteous Army leader. Imperial Japan had hold Kwon’s skull in Iwate school of medicine and that of other Korean’s as well. Therefore, crucifixion of Kwon clearly shows viciousness of Japanese Imperialism as whole.