COREENNES_KORTRIG STACK010

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courage: in the history of how many people does one find an episode comparable to the
"non violent uprising" of 1919, when, totally dominated by the Japanese, without any possibility
of armed revolt, the leaders of the Korean Resistance invited the leaders of the occupying
power to dinner (the Japanese disdained to send anyone but a bureaucrat) in order to read
them their Declaration of Independence? Having proclaimed their liberty by force of will alone,
they suffered the consequences of their act with the same fucid dignity. An attempt was made
to compel the elderly Yi Yong-shik to reveal the location of the Korean headquarters. His response:
"The Korean HQ is in Heaven." An answer worthy of Joan of Arc.

The end of Zuber's account is hazy. According to the Korean version of events, the French
drew back before the resistance of the fort and, pursued by their enemies, re-embarked with
all haste. According to the Tour du Monde, after a few initial clashes had earned the Koreans their
certificate of good conduct, the little war turned into a hunting party to occupy the
soldiers' leisure. And on October 22 with no other explanation, the squadron left Korea.

" The result that had been expected of the expedtion was not in the least obtained," notes Zuber.
Indeed, the Koreans concluded it was a technical knock-out, showed greater suspicion toward
foreigners, refused all attempts at commerce more firmly than ever, and, where the departure.
point of the whole affair was concerned, launched a wave of persecution against the Christians,
whom they accused of colluding with the foreign aggressors.

The officer concludes on a melancholy note: "As you can see; we had not the fortune to make
ourselves loved during our stay."