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Kim Du-han

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South Korean gangster and politician (1918–1972)

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
Kim Du-han
김두한
Kim (leftmost) in 1963
Member of the National Assembly of South Korea
In office
November 10, 1965 – September 24, 1966
In office
May 31, 1954 – May 30, 1958
Personal details
Born(1918-05-15)May 15, 1918
Keijō, Keiki-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan
(now Seoul, South Korea)
DiedNovember 21, 1972(1972-11-21) (aged 54)
Seoul, South Korea
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
ChildrenKim Eul-dong
ParentKim Chwa-chin (father)
RelativesSong Il-gook (grandson)
Korean name
Hangul김두한
Hanja金斗漢
Revised RomanizationGim Du-han
McCune–ReischauerKim Tuhan
Art name
Hangul의송
Hanja義松
Revised RomanizationUisong
McCune–ReischauerŬisong

Kim Du-han (Korean: 김두한; May 15, 1918 – November 21, 1972), also spelled Kim Doo-han, was a South Korean mobster, anti-communist activist, politician and the son of Kim Chwa-chin. His art name was Uisong.

Biography

Early Life

Kim Du-han graduated from Gyo-dong Elementary School in Seoul but spent much of his youth living as an orphan and vagrant.

Criminal Activities

During the late period of the Imperial Japanese rule in Korea, he became the leader of the Youth Action Corps, a street gang in the Jongno area and gained influence.

Despite his tumultuous youth, he took pride in being the son of General Kim Jwa-jin and engaged in activities such as blowing up Japanese armories and protecting Korean merchants, earning a reputation as a "chivalrous outlaw." He was considered to be the greatest fist fighter in Korea during his time.

Political Career

After Korea's liberation, Kim joined Syngman Rhee's Liberal Party, where he served as a politician. He served as Inspector General of the Korean Youth Corps, led by figures such as Syngman Rhee (이승만), Kim Gu (김구), and Shin Ik-hee (신익희). He was actively involved in anti-communist activities, becoming a leading figure in the anti-communist movement. However, he engaged in violent methods, including acts of killing during this struggle. In 1948, Kim Du-han was sentenced to death by an American military tribunal for the murder of Jeong Jin-ryong, a leading member of the Communist Party of Korea. He was imprisoned in Okinawa but escaped execution when his case was later transferred to the newly formed South Korean government, which quickly had him released.

After the founding of the South Korean government, Kim continued his anti-communist and youth activism, serving as a senior member of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Chief of Staff of the Korean Student Volunteer Corps. In 1954, he was elected as an independent candidate to the 3rd National Assembly, representing the Jongno constituency in Seoul. In 1965, he was elected again in a by-election for the 6th National Assembly, representing Yongsan District. Shortly after joining the 6th National Assembly, Kim was imprisoned at Seodaemun Prison in connection with the "Han-guk Independence Party Conspiracy Case." However, a resolution for his release was supported by 106 votes from both opposition and ruling party members of the National Assembly, leading to his release.

Kim's political career took a dramatic turn during the "Saccharin Smuggling Scandal" in the National Assembly. In a shocking and unprecedented act, he threw excrement at cabinet ministers, leading to what became known as the "National Assembly Excrement-Throwing Incident." This act resulted in his imprisonment once again at Seodaemun Prison, marking an infamous chapter in South Korea's parliamentary history. He eventually resigned from his position in 1966, bringing an end to his unique political career.

Personal life

After retiring from politics, Kim Du-han passed away in November 1972 due to hypertension. He is buried in Sinsegae Memorial Park in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.

Kim Du-han was the father of South Korean politician, Kim Eul-dong, and the grandfather to her son, South Korean actor Song Il-gook.

In popular culture

His most famous role was as the inspiration for Lookism's Gapryong Kim

References

  1. He also participated in the Korean War
  2. ^ Lee Jae-seok. "김두한" [Kim Du-han] (in Korean). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  3. Ezeji, E. (May 26, 2023). "Lee Dong Wook And Ryu Kyung Soo Have An Hour To Defeat Ahn Jae Mo And Find Kim So Yeon In "Tale Of The Nine-Tailed 1938"". Soompi. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

External links

General's Son
Films
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