Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, Cho Man-sik emerged as the Gandhi of Korea. This path honors his dedication. He championed non-violent resistance and self-sufficiency during Korea’s independence movement.
Cho Man-sik was born in 1883. He grew up in a Christian village. He was born in what is now North Korea. In his youth, he transformed. He moved away from drinking and fighting. He embraced education. Cho went to a mission school in 1904. He converted to Protestantism. He became an elder. He studied law in Japan at Meiji University. He returned to Korea. He became involved in teaching.
Like Gandhi, Cho Man-sik believed in strengthening national character. This would prepare Korea to throw off Japanese rule. He became principal at Osan School. He lived in the dormitory. He exercised with students. He taught Bible, English, and law. Cho Man-sik helped establish schools and universities. He raised awareness of Korean independence.
The Korean peninsula was annexed by Japan in 1910. Koreans experienced minimal rights under a brutal regime. Cho paved the way for the Declaration of Independence. This was by the Korean Youth Independence Corps in Tokyo. He played a crucial role in the March First Movement. The March First Movement sought Korean national independence from Japan. It started in Seoul on March 1, 1919. It spread throughout the country.
Cho Man-sik was imprisoned for his involvement. After his release, he dedicated himself to non-violent resistance. He adopted Gandhi’s belief in nonviolent resistance. He fought against Japanese colonial rule.
The Korean economy was controlled by the Japanese. Koreans could do little about inequities. Cho Man-sik believed Koreans could refuse to buy imported necessities. They could instead support Korean-made goods. He established the Korean Products Promotion Society in 1922. It encouraged the use of native products. Cho wanted to block foreign economic invasion. He wanted to increase production of native goods.
Cho became a symbol of a new Korea. He blended traditional values with Western outlooks. Cho Man-sik influenced the nation through personal moral example. He advocated for the Buy Korean Products Movement. He promoted nationwide consumer co-operatives.
He urged people to buy Korean rather than imported goods. Like Gandhi, Cho promoted manufacturing one’s own products. He gave up Western clothing. He wore the hanbok. This was the Korean traditional dress. He emphasized that using Korean products was a shortcut to loving the country.
Cho was a Presbyterian elder. Gandhi was Hindu. During the Japanese colonization, Koreans respected other activists more. These activists used violent measures.
In 1945, Cho formed the Chosun Democratic Party. This party sought an independent Korea under a democratic system. The Soviets did not approve of the party.
Cho opposed the Moscow Conference of 1945. This conference proposed a four-power trusteeship for Korea. He refused to cooperate. In 1946, he was arrested for opposing Soviet policies. He was detained in Pyongyang’s Koryo Hotel. He was murdered during the Korean War in 1950.
Cho Man-sik is remembered for his struggle against Japanese rule. He fought against Korea’s division. He wanted freedom from Soviet-backed Communist rule. He left a will. It said to draw two eyes on his gravestone. He wanted to see Japan collapse even after his death. He is praised for living for Korea’s independence. He followed the way of Christ. He influenced nationalist activism with Gandhian principles. He supported non-violent resistance and economic self-sufficiency.