(C) Foundation Kim Ku
BEIJING – In a move seen as a strategic diplomatic gesture toward Seoul, the People’s Daily, the official flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China, published a prominent feature on Friday celebrating the life and resistance efforts of Baekbeom Kim Ku. The article underscores the shared history of anti-Japanese struggle as a cornerstone for modern bilateral relations.
A Journey of Shared Resistance
On January 16, the People’s Daily featured a guest column titled "Kim Ku’s Years in China," authored by Song Wen-zhi, a professor of Korean Language and Culture at Peking University. Accompanied by photos of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (KPG) site in Shanghai, the piece detailed Kim Ku’s leadership during the colonial era.
The column lauded Kim as a "significant leader of the Korean independence movement" who wrote a "touching chapter in history" through his unyielding patriotism and dedication to China-Korea friendship. It specifically highlighted:
The Shanghai Era: Kim’s relocation to Shanghai in 1919 to establish a base for the independence movement.
Heroic Deeds: The organization of patriotic acts by activists Lee Bong-chang and Yun Bong-gil.
The Long March for Freedom: The KPG’s forced relocation through various Chinese cities—including Changsha, Guangzhou, and Chongqing—following the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
Chinese Solidarity: The crucial protection provided by Chinese citizens and officials to Kim Ku while he was being pursued by Japanese imperial forces.
Diplomatic Context: The "History Card"
The timing of this publication is far from coincidental. Analysts suggest Beijing is utilizing "historical memory" to strengthen ties with Seoul amid escalating tensions between China and Japan. Following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s controversial remarks last November regarding intervention in a "Taiwan contingency," China has sought to align with South Korea by emphasizing their common history as victims of Japanese militarism.
This cultural offensive follows South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s recent state visit to China. During that visit, President Xi Jinping remarked, "Eighty years ago, our two nations secured victory against Japanese militarism through immense national sacrifice." He urged both countries to join hands to protect the achievements of World War II and maintain stability in Northeast Asia.
Political Significance of the Shanghai Visit
Chinese state media have also placed heavy emphasis on President Lee Jae-myung’s recent visit to the KPG heritage site in Shanghai. By highlighting the President’s tribute at Kim Ku’s bust, Beijing is framing the act as a shared political front against Japan’s current historical narratives and military posture.
"Looking back at history, pioneers like Kim Ku laid a solid foundation for the friendly sentiments between our two peoples," the People's Daily concluded. Today, as "strategic cooperative partners," China appears keen to use this historical bond to ensure South Korea remains a key collaborator in its regional diplomatic strategy.
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