Statue of Yi Jun-yeol

The Statue of Yi Jun-yeol was erected in Jangchungdan Park to commemorate the patriotic anti-Japanese spirit of martyr Yi Jun. Born in 1859 in Bukcheong, South Hamgyong Province, Yi Jun actively participated in the Independence Association and gave street speeches at the All People's Congress in November 1898. In 1904, he organized the Korean Security Society to block Japan's acquisition of wasteland reclamation rights, formed the Gongjinhoe to oppose the Iljinhoe, denounced pro-Japanese ministers, and devoted himself to the patriotic enlightenment movement. In 1907, he received a secret order from Emperor Gwangmu to attend the Hague Peace Conference in the Netherlands. He arrived in The Hague with Yi Sang-seol and Yi Wi-jong to deliver the emperor's personal letter, but was prevented from attending the conference due to Japanese interference. He then exposed Japan's invasion of Korea and publicly declared the Eulsa Treaty invalid, drawing attention from the world press. However, while the media was sympathetic, the great powers responded coldly. Enraged, the martyr lamented for days and eventually died for his country.