Evidence of Independence, Hidden Inside a Temple

In 2009, during the dismantling of Jingwansa's Chilseonggak shrine, a Korean flag and a bundle of independence-movement newspapers hidden by the monk Baek Cho-wol during Japan's colonial occupation were discovered.

Key takeaways

In May 2009, a bundle of old cloth was discovered during the dismantling and restoration of Jingwansa's Chilseonggak shrine. Fact The cloth turned out to be a Korean flag (Taegeukgi) — created by drawing the traditional taeguk symbol and four trigrams over a Japanese flag — and inside it were independence-movement newspapers, including issue No. 19 of the 1919 Dongnip Sinmun ("Independence News"), the Sindaehan Sinmun published by historian and independence activist Shin Chae-ho, and the Jayu Sinjongbo, published in Shanghai. Fact The flag is believed to have been hidden inside the wall of Jingwansa's Chilseonggak shrine by Baek Cho-wol, a Buddhist monk and independence activist during Japan's colonial occupation, and it was designated National Treasure No. 2142 in 2021. Fact

What to look for on site

The current appearance of the Chilseonggak shrine where the flag was found
Independence-movement newspaper materials discovered alongside the flag (check exhibition status)
Temple signage documenting Buddhist involvement in the independence movement

Visitor tip

The original flag may not be on permanent display — if viewing it is your goal, check with the holding or exhibiting institution in advance.