Yun Hui-sun, First Female Commander of a Civilian Militia

What epitomized Korea’s spirit of independence displayed so passionately at the March 1st Movement? The civilian militias known as ‘Righteous armies.’ During the late 19th century, there was a figure that was unprecedented in her time: Yun Hui-sun, the first female commander of a righteous army. She used her brush to speak unflinchingly to Japanese forces and signed warnings with her name. Yun Hui-sun not only wrote battle songs, she actually armed herself and fought as well. Even after having to retreat out of the country, she educated activists and assembled independence corps. For 40 years, she devoted herself to the fight for independence. Many female freedom fighters followed in her wake, but the role and dedication of women in Korea’s history of independence is still not well known. This video is a tribute to these women and the hope that more light will be shone on them on this 105th anniversary of Korea’s March 1st Movement.