An Jae-hong

AN JAE- HONG (1891-1965). A progressive nationalist, who went to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during the Korean War and graduated from Waseda University of Japan in 1914. After returning to Korea, he was active in the Korean Young Men's Christian Association and in 1919 was jailed for three years for his part in the Sa mil movement (1 March 1919). In 1923, he was a founder of the Sidae Ilbo and served on its editorial board. Later, he became president and editor-in-chief of the Chosun Ilbo, a position he held for 10 years. He was imprisoned again in 1925, 1936, and 1942 for his nationalist views. During these years, An had contact with the Korean Communist Party. In 1945, An, as a member of the Korean Nationalist Party, was a founder of the Committee for the Preparation of National Reconstruction. When the United States Army Military Government in Korea established the South Korean interim government in 1947, An became its head as civil administrator. However, he opposed the United Nations' plan to hold separate elections in South Korea. During the Korean War, he was one of a number of Republic of Korea politicians who were forced or in some cases chose to go voluntarily to the DPRK. He reappeared in 1956 as one of the members of the newly created Council in North Korea for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. Along with most other members of this organization, he was probably purged in 1958-59.

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