Kwon Byung-deok (April 25, 1868 – September 15, 1944) was a Korean independence activist who signed as one of the 33 national representatives during the March 1st Movement.** His pen name was Uun, his courtesy name was Yoonjwa, and his religious names in Cheondogyo were Cheongam and Jeongam. Born in Cheongwon County, Chungcheongbuk-do, he studied classical Chinese in his youth and joined the Donghak movement in 1885, eventually becoming a leader within the organization. He participated in the Donghak Peasant Revolution and later worked as a leader in Cheondogyo, contributing to the development of the church and the modernization of society.
In 1919, he took part in the March 1st Movement as one of the national representatives and was subsequently arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. After his release, he mediated internal disputes within Cheondogyo but eventually left the organization in 1922. In 1924, he founded Suun-gyo, a new religious sect, and continued his involvement in various social movements, including the Shinganhoe and activities within the Cheondogyo Old Faction.
During the 1930s, he dedicated himself to writing historical works, publishing **”The Complete History of Joseon,” “The History of Wars in the Joseon Dynasty,”** and **”Secrets of the Royal Court.”** Kwon Byung-deok passed away on September 15, 1944, at the age of 76 in Seoul. His contributions to Korea’s independence and religious movements continue to be commemorated.
