Hong Beomdo

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

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 which defeated Japanese garrisons around Bukcheong through the use of hit-and-run attacks.

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 would cross the river twice more, each time carrying out more successful attacks.

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

In June 1921 as the Soviet Union disarmed Korean troops by force and internal trouble occurred, resulting in the collapse of the Korean independence army. Hong ended up as a member of the Russian red army.

In 1937, Hong and other Koreans were deported to Kazakhstan by Joseph Stalin. Hong would die there in 1943.

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