Statue of Patriotic Martyr Na Seok-ju

The Statue of Patriotic Martyr Na Seok-ju is a statue erected at the former site of the Oriental Development Company, where the current headquarters of KEB Hana Bank is located, to commemorate the noble spirit of sacrifice of Na Seok-ju, who willingly gave his life for his country. Patriotic Martyr Na Seok-ju was from Jaeryeong, Hwanghae Province, where the Oriental Development Company had its farms. After participating in the March 1st Independence Movement demonstration in Gyeomipo, he organized a death squad to raise funds for the independence army and punish pro-Japanese collaborators, before fleeing to Shanghai, China in September 1920. In China, Na Seok-ju served as a bodyguard for the Provisional Government's Police Bureau, attended the Handan Military Academy, and later served in Chinese military units. Afterwards, he joined the Heroic Corps (Uiyeoldan) in Tianjin and sought more active independence struggles. In June 1926, he met with Confucian representative Kim Chang-suk and planned to bomb the Oriental Development Company, the Bank of Joseon, and the Industrial Bank, which were exploiting Korea's land and economy. In December 1926, Na Seok-ju infiltrated Seoul carrying bombs and a pistol. He first entered the Industrial Bank of Joseon, threw a bomb over the loan counter railing, then ran to the Gyeongseong branch of the Oriental Development Company across the street, firing shots and throwing another bomb. However, all bombs failed to explode. He then entered the Joseon Railway Company next to the Oriental Development Company, fired more shots, and came out onto the street. When pursued by hastily dispatched police and mounted police, he committed suicide with his pistol. It is located 120m from Exit 5 of Euljiro 1-ga Station on Seoul Subway Line 2.