Na In-hyeop

Na In-hyeop (羅仁協, 8 October 1872 – 16 April 1951) was an independence activist of the Korean Empire and a Cheondoist. He was one of the 33 National Representatives of the March 1st Movement in 1919.

His Cheondo Religion dao name (天道敎 道號) was Hongam (泓菴). His family seat was Naju, and he was born in Pyeongan Seongcheon (present-day Seongcheon County, South Pyongan Province, Democratic People's Republic of Korea) as the third son of Na Seok-hang.

Life

Activities

He joined Donghak in 1890, and in 1894 took part in the Donghak Peasant Revolution, leading Donghak believers in the Pyeongan region.

In 1904, the Donghak believers under his charge increased rapidly, and he was appointed Uichang Daeryeong as a Daejeobu (senior sub-leader) managing more than 10,000 people.

In March 1904, Na In-hyeop, together with Donghak leaders of the Pyeongan region such as Mun Hak-su, Yi Ryeong-su, Na Yong-hwan, Kim An-sil, Hong Gi-eok, Hong Gi-jo, No Yang-gi, and Im Ye-hwan, crossed over to Japan and met Son Byong-hi. Son instructed them to organize people's assemblies within the country. Na In-hyeop and the others opened the Jinbohoe in the Yeongmun courtyard in Pyongyang in September 1904, announced its four guiding principles, and collectively cut their hair short. This was the so-called Gapjin Enlightenment Movement.

In 1906, Cheondoism established 72 major districts across the country, and Na In-hyeop was appointed head of the 14th district.

On 25 February 1919, in Gyeongseong, he met Son Byong-hi, Kwon Dong-jin, and Oh Se-chang together with Cheondo figures from the Pyeongan region, received their request to take part in the March 1st Movement, and agreed to participate as one of the 33 National Representatives. On 27 February he signed the draft of the Declaration of Independence. On 1 March he took part in the gathering at where the Declaration of Independence was read and cheers for independence were raised; he was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison, which he served.