National Movements of Pyeong-kuk Kang in Japan

Pyeong-kuk Kang was a Korean nationalist during the period of Japanese colonial rule. She participated in the March 1st movement in Seoul. After Kang enrolled in Tokyo Women’s Medical School, Kang was a member of youth activist group, feminist group, and labor union for Koreans in Japan. She participated in nationalist activism against ethnic discrimination in Japan until 1932. Kang was a board member of the Korean Young Women League in Tokyo, which had a goal to enhance social status and economic welfare of women. She was also a fellow member of the Council of Korean Association in Tokyo. Furthermore, Kang was a committee member of the Department of Women in the Eastern branch of Korea Trade Union in Tokyo and in the Korea Trade Union Confederation in Japan. She participated in social activism for Koreans against ethnic discrimination to protect the rights and interests of Korean labor. Kang played the leading role in the establishment of the Tokyo branch of Keun-Woo Association. Keun-Woo Association was an activist group for women’s social status and Korean liberation. Kang was a chairperson in General Meeting for the establishment of the Tokyo branch of Keun-Woo Association. Kang in Keun-Woo Association engaged in not only women’s rights and interests but also other political and social issues. Kang’s activities in Japan were mainly focused on nationalist activism. A wide range of her activism from feminism to labor movement were protests for Koreans against ethnic discrimination. On the other hand, Kang’s activities in Japan were aligned with socialist activism.