Korean People's Association in Manchuria

Korean People’s Association in Manchuria
재만한족총연합회
1929–1931
Flag used by the Korean Independence Army under Kim Chwa-chin
Map of Mudanjiang Prefecture
Map of Mudanjiang Prefecture
StatusHistorically unrecognized autonomous prefecture
CapitalHailin (de facto)
Common languagesKorean
Demonym(s)Korean
GovernmentAutonomous self-governing cooperative organization
Chairman 
• 1929-1930
Kim Chwa-chin
Historical eraInterwar period
• Established
August 1929
September 1931
Population
• 1930
2,000,000[1]
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Republic of China
State of Manchuria
National People's Prefecture
Today part ofChina
Korean People’s Association in Manchuria
Founding members of the KPAM in 1928
Korean name
Hangul
재만한족총연합회
Hanja
在滿韓族總聯合會
Revised RomanizationJaeman Hanjok Chongyeonhaphoe
McCune–ReischauerChaeman Hanjok Ch'ongyŏnhaphoe
Korean Anarchist Federation in Manchuria
Hangul
재만조선무정부주의자연맹
Hanja
在滿朝鮮無政府主義者聯盟
Revised RomanizationJaeman Joseon Mujeongbujuuija Yeonmaeng
McCune–ReischauerChaeman Chosŏn Mujŏngbujuŭija Yŏnmaeng
Shinmin Prefecture
Hangul
신민부
Hanja
新民府
Revised RomanizationSinminbu
McCune–ReischauerSinminbu

The Korean People's Association in Manchuria (KPAM; Korean재만한족총연합회; August 1929 – September 1931) was a self-governing autonomous prefecture in Manchuria, populated by two million Korean refugees. Following the Japanese occupation of Korea, many Korean anarchists had fled over the border into Manchuria, where they began organising a network of mutual aid for displaced Koreans in the region. Together with some Korean nationalists, they established the KPAM in order to provide food, education and self-defence to its members. Before long, the association found itself under attack by both Korean communists and Japanese imperialists, who assassinated their leadership. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria put an end to the anarchist experiment, with many of its members fleeing to China in order to fight against the Japanese Empire.

  1. ^ MacSimoin 2002, p. 1.