RISING IN KOREA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9652, 8 July 1919, Page 5

RISING IN KOREA.

In Peking several secret societies, whose members aggregate millions of persons, are supporting tho.. independence movement in Korea, it is understood. Notable among them are the Progressive Party .and the Heaven Worshippers, which' together have a 7iiembership of more than 2,000,000. Others are -the New Korean Society and the Light Restoring Society. Sixty thousand students? of nearly all educational institutions, including Government schools, .participated in .the movement. It is stated that the insurrection was supported also by Christian and Buddhist bodies.

The Buddhists .in Korea number about one million. .' They, have 2000 temples and 100,000 nriests. The Japanese have attempted to use Buddhism to strengthen their position in Korea, sending many young priosts to Japan to be educated. Nevertheless, many Buddhists are believed to have been closely connected wit]i the insurrection.

Christianity has made rapid progress in Korea during 30 years. Two large missionary bodies are. working there. The American Methodist Mission has 750 churches and 100,000 followers, while the -American Presbyterian Mission has 2000 churches and about 200,000, adherents. The Korean Christians are mostly men of character and have received higher education.

The demonstrations in favour of independence that began in nearly all towns and villages throughout Koroa were at first orderly and limited to the delivery of speeches and the distribution of copies of manifestoes.

Later, the movement took a distinctly revolutionary character, and this resulted in clashes with the Japanese authorities and in casualties on both sides.