As leaders of Korean historical organizations grow older, concerns rise over the future of Korean independence patriots’ graves in the United States. With fewer younger generations involved, maintaining these historic sites becomes uncertain.
Identified Graves of Korean Independence Patriots
The Korean American History Museum and the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation report that, as of February 2025, 58 Korean independence patriots’ graves have been identified in Los Angeles-area cemeteries:
- Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles – 31 individuals
- Hollywood Forest Lawn – 17 individuals
- Inglewood Cemetery – 3 individuals
- Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier – 3 individuals
- Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes – 1 individual
- Forest Lawn, Glendale – 1 individual
- Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles – 1 individual
- Riverside National Cemetery – 1 individual
Another significant figure is Lee Beom-Young, buried at Green Hills Memorial Park after passing in 1982. During the March 1st Independence Movement, Lee led the Danuba chapter of the Korean National Association, publicly supported Korea’s Declaration of Independence, and raised funds sent to Syngman Rhee’s diplomatic mission in the U.S.
Unidentified Graves and the Growing Challenge
The documented graves account for only a fraction of the total. Many Korean independence patriots’ graves remain unverified, far exceeding those recognized by South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Korean American organizations.
According to the Ministry, 434 Korean independence patriots lived in North America, including Mexico and Cuba. The most recent update on February 27, 2025, added two more names.
Min Byeong-Yong, director of the Korean American History Museum, explained, “Hundreds of Korean independence patriots are known, but only a small percentage of their burial sites have been located. Many are likely spread across the country, including Central California’s Reedley, but confirming them is difficult.”
Finding these sites becomes harder as descendants move further from their roots. “Now in the third and fourth generations, contacting them has become a challenge. Few organizations actively research and document this history,” Min added.
Declining Interest from Younger Generations
With first-generation leaders aging and younger Korean Americans less engaged, the future of Korean independence patriots’ graves remains uncertain.
The Korean National Association Memorial Foundation oversees many of these graves, with some support from individual descendants.
Clara Won, a foundation board director, stated, “On key anniversaries like March 1st Independence Movement Day and Korean Liberation Day, we visit and clear overgrown weeds. However, most board members are first-generation immigrants, and younger Korean Americans rarely participate. We worry about long-term maintenance.”
Professor Jang Tae-Han of UC Riverside emphasized the need for education. He noted that the Dosan Memorial Foundation is prioritizing awareness programs for younger generations in 2025.
Discontinued Memorial Traditions
Declining participation in memorial events reflects this trend. In 2002, the Korean Immigration Centennial Memorial Committee launched annual memorial services at Rosedale Cemetery to honor Korean independence patriots. These continued until 2007 but stopped due to aging committee members and low participation.
The Korean National Association revived occasional ceremonies in 2016, but sustaining them has proven difficult. “Small groups of early Korean immigrant descendants still exist, but their numbers are decreasing,” Min noted. “Without interest from second- and third-generation Korean Americans, these historical legacies could disappear.”
The Urgent Need for Systematic Preservation
The situation calls for an organized effort to identify, document, and maintain Korean independence patriots’ graves in the U.S.
A Korean American organization official, who requested anonymity, remarked, “Ignoring Korean independence patriots means forgetting Korean immigration history. As the first-generation community disappears, organizations must establish funds for research and train second- and third-generation scholars to continue this work.”
As fewer people visit these graves, overgrown weeds take over. Along with them, the legacy of Korean independence patriots in America fades from memory.
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BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
