Statue of Yu Gwan-sun

This statue was erected to commemorate the patriotic spirit of Yu Gwan-sun, a Korean independence activist who led the independence movement at the Aunae Market in Cheonan, was arrested, and died in prison. It is located in Namsan Park in Jangchung-dong (at the entrance of Namsan Tunnel No. 2). While attending Ewha Hakdang, Yu Gwan-sun participated in street demonstrations with fellow students during the March 1st Movement. When the school closed, she returned to her hometown of Byeongcheon, Cheonan, to lead the independence rally. On April 1, 1919, at the Aunae Market where about 3,000 protesters gathered, Yu Gwan-sun distributed pre-prepared Korean flags to the crowd and led the protest march at the forefront, shouting for independence. In response, Japanese military police wielded bayonets and opened fire indiscriminately, killing 19 people on the spot, including Yu Gwan-sun's father Yu Jung-kwon and mother Lee So-je, and wounding over 30 others. The Japanese authorities arrested Yu Gwan-sun as the leader of this independence movement and imprisoned her in Seodaemun Prison. Even in prison, she continued to shout for independence until she died from severe torture on October 1920 at the young age of 18.