KOREAN NET

A memorial ceremony commemorating Lee Beom-jin, the first Korean envoy to Russia who served in Saint Petersburg even in the last moments of his life, was held at the Northern Cemetery in Saint Petersburg on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Lee Beom-jin took his own life protesting against Japan’s forced annexation of Korea on January 26, 1911 (Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar: January 13).

Participants of the ceremony shared their commemorative speech, including Consul General Byeon Cheol-hwan of the Republic of Korea to Russia in Saint Petersburg, Chairman Choi Seon-do of the OKF Saint Petersburg Association, Chairman Demetri Park of the Saint Petersburg Korean National-Cultural Autonomy, Director Yoo Seung-ho of KOTRA, Chairman Irina Kim of the Kimchi Business Club, Professor Sergei O. Kurvanov of Korean Studies at Saint Petersburg State University, Vice Chairman Vyacheslav Kalganov of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg, and Yulia Piskulova, great-great-granddaughter of Lee Beom-jin.

Participants of the memorial ceremony for Lee Beom-jin

During the opening speech, Consul General Byeon Cheol-hwan said, “Lee Beom-jin was a sincere patriot of Koreans, and his life set an example for everyone who wished prosperity and peace of their homeland.” Chairman Choi Seon-do of the OKF Saint Petersburg Association followed the opening speech and said, “We all gathered here to admire Lee Beom-jin’s intentions. He devoted himself to bearing fruits, like the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies in the Bible. The Korea-Russia relationship has made much progress, thanks to Lee.”

Chairman Choi Seon-do of the OKF Saint Petersburg Association giving a commemorative speech

Responding to these addresses on behalf of the city of Saint Petersburg, Vice Chairman Vyacheslav Kalganov said, “Lee Beom-jin always regarded himself to be Russia’s friend, and he was convinced that people of Russia and Korea must work together. He showed us that we must risk our lives to fight for the truth. Today, the past deeds and achievements of Lee Beom-jin explain how we must work for the people.”

Vice Chairman Vyacheslav Kalganov of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg

At the luncheon, Vice Chairman Vyacheslav Kalganov expressed his impression of the commemorative speech by Chairman Choi Seon-do by saying, “Choi is a leader of the Overseas Koreans Foundation in Saint Petersburg and understands the Korea-Russia relationship.”

Participants talking at the luncheon after the ceremony

On the one hand, Yulia Piskulova, the great-great-granddaughter of Lee Beom-jin, participated as the representative of the family. She is a historian who graduated from Moscow State University and serves as President of the Descendants of Korean Independence Fighters. Yulia is running a business finding less-known independent fighters who took part in the independence movement in Russia and Central Asia, offering conferment to their descendants to inspire ethnic pride.

Yulia Piskulova showing the book that discovered traces of independent activists

Currently, South Korea is listed as an unfriendly nation by Russia. It was done after South Korea joined international sanctions against Russia and provided military supplies to Ukraine. Due to international circumstances, the two countries are forced to maintain an unfriendly stance toward one another. However, Korean and Russian officials who met at the memorial ceremony for Lee Beom-jin showed that the Korea-Russia relationship is still amicable. The memorial ceremony for Lee Beom-jin was an occasion that gave hope for recovering the friendly relationship between Korea and Russia and building a constructive future.

Reference: Lee Beom-jin (1852–1911) served as a Korean diplomat. Lee served as Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for the Korean Legation in Russia in March 1899. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), he supported delivering information to the Russian government. After the Japanese Annexation of Korea in 1910, he rejected the summons to home after being relieved from his position. He remained in Saint Petersburg and fought for independence by donating all of his money to independence movement groups.

Source: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Saint Petersburg
(https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ru-stpetersburg-ko/wpge/m_7867/contents.do)