Kim Jwa-jin (1889–1930) was a prominent military leader during the Korean Empire and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Best known as the victorious commander in the 1920 Battle of Cheongsanri, he was one of the “Three Great Generals” of the Korean independence movement, alongside Kim Dong-sam and Oh Dong-jin.
This letter, addressed to a junior officer, reveals a deeply personal side of Kim Jwa-jin. Written during his stay in Geumseong, the letter expresses his longing for family, concern for their well-being, and reflections on solitude and seasonal change. He mentions being unwell due to the local climate and finds quiet companionship in the blooming plum blossoms outside, which symbolize both perseverance and sorrow.
Kim inquires about his cousin’s wedding and remembers his aunt’s 80th birthday, showing his strong familial devotion despite the physical distance. The letter closes with a heartfelt wish for his parents to receive blessings in the new year.
More than just a family letter, this document offers insight into Kim’s character: a patriot committed to both national liberation and Confucian values of filial piety and loyalty. From freeing tenant farmers in 1906 to founding the Shinminhoe (New People’s Association) and training independence forces at Seongdong Military Academy, Kim’s life was one of unyielding resistance against Japanese occupation.
He was assassinated by a member of the Goryeo Communist Youth Union on January 24, 1930. His last words were, “How bitter it is to die when there is still so much left to do.” In recognition of his legacy, the South Korean government awarded him the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1962.
Kim Jwa-jin’s letter is a rare historical artifact that blends personal emotion with the spirit of resistance—an enduring reminder of dignity, duty, and sacrifice.
Translation:
To Chamwi,
As the year draws to a close and the weather turns colder, my longing for you grows even stronger. I hope you are taking good care of your parents, and that your aunt remains in good health, with all your family members well. Have you managed to prepare enough provisions to support your family through the winter? My heart, full of longing, knows no rest even from afar.
I have spent half a year here in Geumseong (錦城), but the climate does not agree with me, leaving me with a sense of suffocation and a blocked chest, yet what can be done? There are three or four plum trees where I stay, and despite the cold, they bloom fully, filling my heart with melancholy. As I stand facing the flowers, dressed in layers of robes, the flowers do not know that I have withered, and I do not understand that the flowers feel the chill. Thus, we share this sorrow together. This is simply how life is these days.
Dojong (our cousin) mentioned that his brother would hold his wedding sometime in the autumn. Has the wedding taken place in the meantime? I can only worry from afar without knowing the details. Next spring will be the celebration of your aunt’s 80th birthday, but after enduring so many hardships over the decades, I remember only the month, not the exact day. Please inform me of the date when you have a chance.
With this, I wish you to bid farewell to the old year, welcome the new one, and enjoy boundless blessings with your parents.
Your cousin, Kim Jwa-jin
