Forgotten patriots: The search for Korean independence activists’ graves in the U.S.

It was only a month ago that the burial site of independence activist Hyekyung Park was confirmed at Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles. Park, who passed away in 1949, was recently identified by South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs at the historic cemetery.

Recognized as an independence activist in 2020 and awarded a presidential commendation by the Korean government, Park was born in Naju, South Jeolla Province, before immigrating to California in the 1920s. She worked as a Sunday school teacher at a Methodist church while running a grocery store in the Valley area.

Park also served as the secretary and treasurer of the Korean Women’s Patriotic Association. According to the veterans agency, she was honored for her contributions to raising funds for the Korean independence movement.

Yet, like Park, many independence activists who dedicated their lives to the movement remain unaccounted for by both government and private organizations.

According to 2024 data, 243 decorated independence activists in the United States have yet to be connected with their families.

More than 100 patriots who were born in the 1880s and engaged in independence activities before passing away in the 1970s and 1980s remain unlocated. Many of their contributions were only formally recognized in the 1990s, but their gravesites remain largely unknown, even to the veterans agency. This number is expected to grow.

Byungyong Min, senior advisor to the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation, estimates that 80 to 90 independence activists are buried in cemeteries near Los Angeles. “The search for the final resting places of our patriots will continue,” he said. “Community efforts are crucial to this endeavor.”

So far, about 60 independence activists have been identified at cemeteries such as Rosedale, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, and Inglewood Park Cemetery. The foundation believes that many more are waiting to be found across Southern and Northern California.

Clara Won, chairwoman of the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation, highlighted the difficulty of tracking down descendants. “We have contact information for 781 descendants of independence activists, but fewer than 30 percent have responded,” she said. “Since three to four generations have passed, many are unaware of their ancestors’ history.”

Jaeho Son, vice president of the Korean Liberation Association’s Southwest U.S. chapter, noted that media coverage of the search has led to an increase in inquiries. However, the official verification process is slow and complicated.

“Even after a request is made, it can take years for the veterans agency to complete its investigation and reach a final decision,” Son explained. “In most cases, historical records are incomplete, and only about 5 percent of all applications result in official recognition as an independence activist.”

Financial Barriers Hinder Efforts

One major obstacle to this meaningful project is financial constraints.
Organizations such as the Korean Liberation Association and the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation operate on limited funding.

With much of their resources dedicated to events and commemorations, the search for independence activists and their descendants often takes a backseat.

Currently, the foundation receives an annual budget of $45,000 from the veterans agency, which is barely enough to cover office rent and maintenance costs. This year, operational expenses are estimated at around $120,000, forcing board members to contribute their own funds to keep the initiative alive.

The lack of support from the Korean-American community is another pressing issue. Min emphasized that as long as the Korean community exists, efforts to identify gravesites and honor the sacrifices of independence activists must continue.

One community leader suggested integrating these efforts into Korean heritage education. “It would be meaningful if Korean schools and university Korean studies programs could include this as part of their curriculum,” they said. “Even placing a small flower at the gravesites once a year would make a difference. This is something that needs more attention, particularly from first-generation Korean Americans.”

Today, in a vast cemetery on foreign soil, the names of long-forgotten Korean independence activists rest in silence, gazing toward the sky—just as they did a century ago when they cried out for their homeland’s freedom.

BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]