Independence Club

Korean political organization

Also known as: Tongnip Hyŏphoe

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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The Independence Club (Dongnip Hyeophoe) was a political organization established in Korea in 1896 by Seo Jae-Pil (Philip Jaisohn). Its primary goal was to awaken the populace to the importance of sovereignty and civil rights, advocating for Korean independence and self-governance. The club published a newspaper, Tongnip sinmun (“The Independent”), to disseminate its message. The organization's efforts contributed to King Gojong declaring Korea the Great Korean Empire. The Independence Club's activities were part of a broader resistance against foreign influence, particularly from Japan and Russia, during a period of intense international power struggles over Korea.1

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Korea
The international power struggle and Korea’s resistance
…a political organization called the Independence Club (Dongnip Hyeophoe). He also published a daily newspaper named Tongnip sinmun (“The Independent”) as a medium for awakening the populace to the importance of sovereignty and civil rights. On the urging of the Dongnip Hyeophoe, the king returned to his palace and declared…
Read More
…a political organization called the Independence Club (Dongnip Hyeophoe). He also published a daily newspaper named Tongnip sinmun (“The Independent”) as a medium for awakening the populace to the importance of sovereignty and civil rights. On the urging of the Dongnip Hyeophoe, the king returned to his palace and declared…
Read More