This is a Korean name; the family name is Hong.

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Hong Beom-do (Korean: 홍범도, Russian: Хон Бом До; August 27, 1868 – October 25, 1943), is a Korean independence activist. Hong was born in Chasong, North Pyongan.

[edit] Biography

Hong was originally a hunter. In September, 1907 Japan proclaimed a law to gather hunters' guns to weaken korean resistance. The law made hunters angry, including Hong. So, he organized a righteous army. He defeated Japanese garrisons around Bukcheong by hit-and-run attack. In 1910, He moved to Gando. After March First Movement, He became a Commander-in-Chief of Korean Independence Army. In August 1919, Hong crossed Tumen River with 200 soldiers. He assaulted Japanese troops in Hyesanjin and Kapsan. He crossed the river twice more and achieved great war results.

In June, 1920, Hong and his army fought against Japanese army, killing hundreds of Japanese soldiers in Samdunja and Bongodong. In October, with Kim Jwa-jin, Hong fought with Japanese troops (Battle of Chingshanli).

In June, 1921 as the Soviet Union disarmed Korean troops by force and internal trouble occurred, Korean independence army became collapsed. Hong became belong to Russian red army. In 1937, Hong and other Koreans were departed to Kazakhstan by Stalin. In 1943, Hong died there.

In October 25, 1963, Hong was posthumously awarded the Republic of Korea Medal of merit for national foundation.

[edit] References

• (Korean) 한국민족문화대사전 (Ethnic Korean Culture Dictionary)
• (Korean) Homepage of General Hong Beom-do