Urgent mission to preserve the legacy of Korean independence patriots

Many Korean independence activists honored by the South Korean government remain lost in history—not because their sacrifices were forgotten, but because their final resting places remain unmarked, abandoned, or undiscovered.

In cemeteries across Los Angeles, where a significant number of these patriots are buried, their graves are vanishing into obscurity. Some have been identified, but many remain unaccounted for, their names and sacrifices fading from memory. The recent discovery of the burial site of independence activist Hyekyung Park at Rosedale Cemetery serves as both a breakthrough and a reminder—there are still too many heroes left to be found.

Hyekyung Park, a dedicated member of the Korean Women’s Patriotic Association, tirelessly raised funds for Korea’s liberation during Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945). Despite being awarded a presidential commendation in 2020, it was only a month ago that her gravesite was officially identified.

Park’s story is not unique. According to 2024 data, 243 decorated independence activists in the United States have yet to be connected with their families, while more than 100, most of whom were born in the 1880s and passed away in the 1970s and 1980s, remain unlocated. Even among those recognized by the Korean government, their final resting places remain unknown.

This issue stems largely from the difficulty in locating their descendants, as well as the absence of a dedicated organization conducting systematic research. With each passing year, the search becomes more challenging, and without immediate action, these heroes may be lost forever.

A comprehensive investigation and sustained financial support are urgently needed. The last time the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs conducted an on-site survey in the U.S. was in 2018. Since then, the effort has largely stagnated due to a lack of funding and institutional support.

The Korean National Association Memorial Foundation(KNA Foundation), which is responsible for maintaining the graves, receives only $45,000 annually—just $3,750 per month. This barely covers office rent and maintenance costs, leaving little for actual grave restoration or search efforts.

The financial disparity is staggering when compared to the sacrifices of the first-generation Korean immigrants. According to A Century of the Korean National Association, the Korean American community contributed approximately $3 million over 40 years to support Korea’s independence movement. In 1919 alone, Korean immigrants in Hawaii raised the equivalent of $650,000 in today’s value.

Between 1941 and 1945, the North American branch of the Korean National Association sent the modern-day equivalent of $820,000 to the Korean Provisional Government and the Liberation Army. This was at a time when Korean laborers in Hawaii earned just $18 a month, yet they still managed to donate a portion of their income. Today, in stark contrast, the South Korean government provides only $45,000 annually for preserving the graves of those very patriots.

This lack of funding has forced board members of organizations like the KNA Foundation and the Korean Liberation Association’s Southwest U.S. chapter to contribute their own money to keep search efforts alive. The estimated operational expenses for this year alone are $120,000—nearly triple the amount of available funding.

While securing additional government funding should be a priority, the Korean-American community must also take an active role in preserving the legacy of these independence activists. The KNA Foundation estimates that 80 to 90 independence activists are buried in cemeteries near Los Angeles, and only about 60 have been identified at sites such as Rosedale, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, and Inglewood Park Cemetery. This means there are still dozens more waiting to be found.

However, tracking down their descendants has proven to be another major obstacle. Out of the 781 descendants for whom contact information exists, fewer than 30 percent have responded. Many are unaware of their ancestors’ contributions to Korea’s independence, a gap in historical knowledge that threatens to erase this crucial part of Korean-American heritage.

A meaningful solution is to integrate this history into Korean heritage education. Korean schools and university Korean studies programs could include the identification and maintenance of these graves as part of their curriculum. Schools could organize annual cemetery visits, allowing students to place flowers or participate in cleanup efforts. Such initiatives would not only honor these patriots but also help younger generations connect with their roots.

The graves of Korean independence patriots are not just relics of the past; they are guiding beacons for the future, reminding us of the determination never to lose a nation again.

It is unacceptable that the descendants of those who sacrificed everything for Korea’s freedom struggle to locate and honor their ancestors. The South Korean government must fulfill its promise under the Act on the Honorable Treatment of Independence Patriots by providing better funding and direct involvement in the search and preservation efforts.

In cemeteries across America, 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. It is our duty to ensure that they are remembered, not just as figures of the past but as inspirations for the future. Now is the time for both the South Korean government and the Korean American community to work together to restore the honor of these heroes and preserve their legacy for generations to come.

By Mooyoung Lee [lee.mooyoung@koreadaily.com]