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As if Japan’s interference in internal politics was not enough, when Japan assassinated Queen Myeongseong, a large freedom movement (Anti-Japanese Righteous Army Movement) is formed with Yu In-seok (pen name Uiam) at the lead. The Jechon Righteous Army, with Yu In-seok (pen name Uiam) at the lead, Lee Pil-hui (a descendant of Yi Sun-sin) as captain, and Seo Sang-ryeol as soldier, took an uncompromising, firm stance and began strengthening its power by absorbing other groups of freedom fighters through a clear battle route. But when the pro-Japanese government lost its power after Agwan Pacheon and the Eulmi Reform came to an end, such activities began to lessen in intensity. Afterwards, according to Emperor Gojung’s measures to disband righteous armies, Yu In-seok (pen name Uiam) disbanded his army and went into exile to Seogan-do Province across the Yalu River. He taught others in Hwanghae-do Province and Pyeongan-do Province before fleeing to Vladivostok after the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907. There, he became one of the core activists in the anti-Japanese struggle together with Lee Sang-seol, Lee Beom-yun, and more. After the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, he was supporting the opposition movement when he escaped to Seogan-do Province again to avoid persecution from Russia. He died of an illness at 74 years of age.
“ Have you heard the words of a song that goes, “You can’t argue that it’s nobody’s land right after the Russo-Japanese War”? What made this situation possible was the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, which took away Korea’s diplomatic rights. Japan had forcibly taken Joseon’s right to rule after the Russo-Japanese War and began to openly meddle in internal politics. It was the righteous armies in the central inland areas based in Jecheon and Wonju that rose up first. The activists that had worked with Yu In-seok rose up and incited armies, but Japan remembered the previous history of fervent activities and interfered. The results were not all great. The attempt was meaningful, however, as the Jecheon Righteous Army gave rise to the later revolt of the countless Confucian scholars and other scholars who had anti-Japanese sentiments but did not participate in the Anti-Japanese Righteous Army Movement.
When the Anti-Japanese Righteous Army Movement that occurred before Park Se-hwa who was active in the Eulsa Righteous Army Movement could muster up a righteous army, he showed sorrowful indignation and entered the Buleoki Valley in Eoksu-ri, Deoksan-myeon. He brought a portrait of Juja with him and trained students. He used nine mystical scenes, taking four letters from each of the Juja poems (Muigugoksi) to wish for the peace and fortune in war for the country. Parts of this still remain intact in nature, such as the Yongha Valley, one of the ten great sceneries of Jecheon. Afterwards, he gathered an army in Namhyeon after the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905 (almost) and was even captured once during a battle in Cheongpung. He lived in seclusion afterwards. When Japan took national sovereignty by force (Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910), he began to fast and died 23 days later. (1962 Order of Merit for National Foundation, Independence Medal, awarded posthumously)
When Japan carried out the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905 by force and took away Korea’s diplomatic rights, Emperor Gojung sent an emissary to Hague to inform the whole world that it was invalid. Japan forced Emperor Gojung off the throne for this and took over the entire sovereignty of the country through the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907. Japan even disbanded the Korean army. When the disbanded soldiers joined the cause against Japan, the righteous army activities began to take on the aspect of a proper war against Japanese rule. Those who were active during this time are referred to as participants of the Jungmi Righteous Army Movement. It was the final battle between the fighters who sought to protect Korea’s sovereignty and the Japanese who sought to colonize Korea and use it as a bridgehead for further invasion inland. The Jecheon Righteous Army also rose up firmly during the time of the Jungmi Incident. The Allied Righteous Army, led by Lee Gang-nyeon, Min Geung-ho, and others, famously defeated the Japanese forces at the Jecheon Cheonnam Battle.
Before they could even celebrate their victory, however, Japan sent a huge force in retaliation and destroyed the Jecheon area. (It is because of this incident that buildings over 100 years old cannot be found in Jecheon.) As you can see, Jecheon was one of the places where the United Righteous Army and Japan faced off in one of their most fierce confrontations.
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