Cho Byeong-ok (May 21, 1894 – February 15, 1960) was a Korean independence activist and politician. In the early period of Japanese colonial rule, he went to the United States for studies and became deeply involved in the independence movement. Inspired by An Chang-ho, he actively participated in the Heungsadan and Syangdongji Association, as well as the Korean National Association.
When Cho heard about the March 1st Movement while in the U.S., he took part in the First Korean Congress held in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, his father and younger brother were arrested and imprisoned for their involvement in the Aunae Market Protests of the March 1st Movement. This news strengthened his commitment to the cause of Korea’s independence.
In 1925, Cho earned a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University. After returning to Korea, he joined the Heungsadan and participated in the founding of the Singanhoe, which promoted Korea’s independence. In 1929, he supported the Gwangju Student Movement and organized a public rally to support the students. For this, he was imprisoned for three years.
After his release, he continued his independence activities through the Heungsadan under the leadership of An Chang-ho. Jo was imprisoned twice more during the Japanese colonial period, including for his involvement in the Suhyeongdongwoohoe Incident. Despite the hardships, he consistently refused to collaborate with the Japanese colonial government, rejecting demands such as adopting a Japanese name.
After Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, Cho helped found the Korea Democratic Party and served as the head of the police force under the U.S. Military Government. His efforts during the post-liberation period were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Republic of Korea.
During the 1950s, Cho became a leading figure in Korea’s opposition party and played a key role in the development of democracy in South Korea. In 1960, Cho Byeong-ok ran for president of the Republic of Korea, but he passed away in the United States due to illness before the election.
