The documentary film 'Independence Army' featuring General Hong Beom-do has set sail.
On the morning of the 15th, a production announcement for the documentary film 'Independence Army' was held at the Gwangbok Hall in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The first chairman of the Hong Beom-do Memorial Association, Lee Jong-chan, the chairman of the Gwangbok Association, the second chairman Woo Won-sik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the third chairman Park Hong-geun, a member of the National Assembly, attended. Director Moon Seung-wook, who directed the film, and actor Jo Jin-woong, who provided the narration, were also present.
Scheduled for release on August 15, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation, 'Independence Army' is a documentary film planned to shed light on the trajectory of armed independence movements in Korea through the life of General Hong Beom-do and to reconsider the identity of the Korean military today.
This project is hosted by the 'Independence Army Production Committee' (Gwangbok Association, Hong Beom-do Memorial Association), with Blue Film Works collaborating on the production. Following the production announcement, crowdfunding for production and release will begin.
The Gwangbok Association stated about 'Independence Army', "Focusing on General Hong Beom-do's struggle history, we will re-examine the independence army that stood against Japanese imperialism as the regular army of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, emphasizing the independence army as a democratic military that fought to establish the foundation of a democratic republic, rather than the previously known images of righteous armies or partisans."
After the preview screening of 'Independence Army', Speaker Woo Won-sik said, "I don't know why I am crying while watching the video. Perhaps it contains the image of the military that we truly desire. I am glad and have high expectations that the life of our nation's hero, General Hong Beom-do, will be produced on the 80th anniversary of liberation."
He continued, "Through the stories of General Hong Beom-do and his comrades, we can reflect on the hardships that the Republic of Korea has gone through and how it was established. The history of the anti-Japanese independence movement and the roots of the identity of the Republic of Korea are stories of the same context. The liberation we have achieved is a history made by ordinary people, not by any outstanding figures."
Speaker Woo Won-sik mentioned last month the emergency martial law situation under President Yoon Suk-yeol, stating, "In the recent emergency martial law phase, the main players who protected the country were ordinary citizens. They defended the National Assembly against the armed martial law forces and peacefully upheld democracy. The source of our DNA for overcoming crises is the people, and our proud history is a history created by the people."
He added, "There have been attempts to undermine and distort the history of the independence movement," and emphasized, "The history of the independence movement was created by an overwhelming majority of ordinary people forming a massive wave. No attempt at undermining or distortion can ever succeed. We must clearly recognize that our history is not a history of conflict, but a history in which the people achieved unity at the center despite such conflicts."
Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Gwangbok Association, stated, "The people who suggested removing the bust of General Hong Beom-do at the Army Academy are the very generals of the martial law situation," and emphasized, "This film will teach the legitimacy of the military and show that this tradition has led our country to industrialization and democratization."
Meanwhile, Jo Jin-woong expressed, "It is truly an honor to participate in a film honoring General Hong Beom-do. I hope that many people will come together to honor General Hong Beom-do, and that it will serve as a cornerstone for us to reflect on what is fundamental and what we have protected this land for, and whether we are truly living well on the sweat and blood of those who protected it."
He added, "I feel ashamed. I sincerely apologize for bringing him back so late. However, from now on, I will firmly protect the Republic of Korea and ensure we live well. Happy New Year to everyone."
Jo Jin-woong was selected as a special envoy for the return of General Hong Beom-do's remains in 2021 and accompanied the journey to bring General Hong Beom-do back to his homeland after 78 years as a so-called 'people's representative.' At that time, he conveyed the journey of General Hong Beom-do's return in the KBS special documentary 'People's Special Envoy Jo Jin-woong, Bringing Back General Hong Beom-do,' and he has been appointed as an ambassador for the Hong Beom-do Memorial Association.
Finally, Director Moon Seung-wook stated that after about two years of script work, "I understood General Hong Beom-do's tactics through many current and former military personnel. Through the life stories of General Hong Beom-do and other heroes, we will show what values the Korean military must uphold."
General Hong Beom-do was an independence activist who led victories in the Battle of Bongodong and the Battle of Cheongsanri (1920). In August 2023, the Army Academy announced plans to relocate the bust of General Hong Beom-do, which was installed at the central entrance of the Chungmugwan (student learning building) in 2018, to the Independence Hall, causing controversy. Recently, it has been reported that the military has leaned towards keeping the bust within the Army Academy.
'Independence Army' is scheduled to be released in August.
