Gyeonggi Province has recently completed a project aimed at uncovering hidden independence heroes, revealing the names of 1,094 individuals whose contributions have been overlooked in Korean history. This initiative, which aligns with the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, involved a thorough investigation conducted by a specialized team starting from May of last year. The team divided the research into three categories—participants of the March 1st Movement, domestic anti-Japanese activities, and overseas resistance efforts—ensuring the credibility of the findings through a three-stage verification process that included cross-referencing various documents and records from abroad.

Analysis of the newly identified independence heroes reveals significant insights into their demographics and backgrounds. Notably, the majority of those uncovered were in their twenties (367 individuals), highlighting a vigorous spirit of resistance among the youth, including 70 teenagers. The occupational makeup shows a predominance of agricultural workers (232 individuals), followed by students and merchants, indicating that the independence movement was not confined to a specific educated elite but was deeply embedded in the lives of ordinary citizens. The research also highlighted that participation in the March 1st Movement and domestic anti-Japanese activities comprised more than half of the cases documented.

Among the heroes identified, several stand out for their remarkable bravery and contributions, such as Kang Geon-sik from Anseong, who remained elusive from Japanese authorities while actively opposing oppression, and Na Seong-ho, a physician from Bucheon who provided medical support at the Russia-China border while also facilitating humanitarian aid. Other notable figures include Kim Pil-yeon, who died in prison after enduring harsh torture, and Lee Woo-yong, who devoted over 40 years to promoting the Korean language. These stories exemplify that the independence movement transcended geographic and social boundaries, highlighting the everyday instances of resistance in the fight for Korea's independence.