MPVA Did You Know (DYK) Series #7:
DID YOU KNOW that Korea’s first democratic government operated abroad for over two decades?
On April 11, 1919, Korean independence leaders established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai, following the nationwide March 1st Movement. It was Korea’s first democratic republican government — formed in exile to resist Japanese colonial rule.
Over the next 26 years, the Provisional Government operated across various Chinese cities, including Hangzhou, Changsha, and Chongqing, adapting to the turbulent realities of the time. Despite limited resources and international recognition, it organized diplomatic outreach, ran underground education and media, and oversaw military efforts through the Korean Liberation Army, formed in 1940 to join the Allied cause during World War II.
Among its prominent leaders were Kim Ku, a symbol of the Korean resistance, and Syngman Rhee, who represented the government abroad and appealed to the international community for support. Their efforts helped keep the idea of Korean sovereignty alive throughout the decades of occupation.
While formal diplomatic recognition remained out of reach for much of its existence, the Provisional Government’s efforts gradually gained traction on the international stage. A turning point came in 1943, when the Cairo Declaration — issued by the United States, United Kingdom, and China — stated that Korea would “in due course become free and independent.” It was one of the first public acknowledgments of Korea’s sovereign future by major Allied powers
Visit the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government
Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government commemorates the legacy of Korea’s government-in-exile and its supporters.
On the third floor, there is a special exhibit dedicated to foreign supporters of Korean independence. A wall honors 330 individuals — significantly more than the 76 who have been officially recognized and awarded by the Korean government. The remaining 250+ names are a fascinating and little-known part of global history. Who were they, and how did they help Korea’s fight for freedom? The exhibit invites visitors to explore these hidden stories.
- 📍 Address: 279-22 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
- 📞 Phone: +82-2-772-8708
TIP: Just next door is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former colonial-era prison where many independence activists were held and martyred. A visit to both sites offers a powerful, connected experience of Korea’s fight for freedom — both at home and abroad.