Kwon Ki-ok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kwon Ki-ok
|
|
|---|---|
Kwon in China, 1935
|
|
| Born | 11 January 1901 Pyongyang, South Pyongan Province, Korean Empire
|
| Died | 19 April 1988 (aged 87) Seoul, South Korea
|
| Occupation | Aviator |
| Spouse(s) | Lee Sang-jeong |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
권기옥
|
| Hanja |
權基玉
|
| Revised Romanization | Gwon Gi-ok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kwŏn Ki-ok |
Kwon Ki-ok (born January 11, 1901 – died April 19, 1988) was an amazing pioneer! She was the very first Korean woman to become a pilot. She was also one of the first female pilots in China. During a time when Korea was ruled by Japan, Kwon Ki-ok moved to China. There, she became a high-ranking officer, a lieutenant colonel, in China's Air Force. After Korea became independent, she returned home. She then helped create the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Contents
Kwon Ki-ok's Early Life and Dreams
Kwon Ki-ok was born in a village called Sangsugu in Pyongyang, Korea. She was one of five children.
From 1913 to 1918, Kwon went to Sunghyeon Elementary School. Something incredible happened in 1917 that changed her life. She saw an American stunt pilot named Art Smith perform amazing tricks in an airplane. This show inspired her to dream of flying herself!
Fighting for Korean Independence
Kwon Ki-ok was a brave young woman who wanted Korea to be free from Japanese rule.
Joining the Independence Movement
In 1919, she joined the March 1st Movement. This was a big protest where Koreans peacefully demanded their independence. Because of her involvement, she was put in jail for three weeks.
After she was released, she helped raise money for the Korean Patriotic Women's Association. This group supported the independence movement. For this, she was arrested again and spent six months in prison.
Moving to China for Freedom
After her release, Kwon Ki-ok had to leave Korea. She went to China to continue her fight for independence. In China, she enrolled in the Hongdao Women's School. She learned Chinese and English very quickly, finishing a four-year course in just two years!
Becoming a Pilot
Kwon Ki-ok's dream of flying came true in China.
Flight Training and Graduation
In 1923, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, which was based in Shanghai, recommended her for flight school. She joined the Republic of China Air Force School in Yunnan. She worked very hard and graduated in 1925. She was the only woman in her graduating class!
Serving in the Air Force
After becoming a pilot, Kwon Ki-ok was stationed in Beijing. Later, she moved to Nanjing. By 1940, her hard work and skill earned her the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Chinese Air Force. This was a very high rank for anyone, especially a woman, at that time.
Returning to Korea and Her Legacy
In 1945, World War II ended, and Korea finally became independent. Kwon Ki-ok returned home as a hero.
Helping Build the Korean Air Force
She played a very important role in creating the Republic of Korea Air Force. During the Korean War, she worked for South Korea's Ministry of National Defense. After the war, she retired from military service.
Later Life and Recognition
From 1966 to 1975, she served as the vice-president of the Korea-China Cultural Association. Kwon Ki-ok received many awards for her service to her country. In 1968, she received a special commendation from the President of South Korea. In 1977, she was given the Order of Merit for National Foundation, which is a very high honor.
Kwon Ki-ok passed away on April 19, 1988. She was buried in the National Cemetery in Seoul, a place where national heroes are laid to rest.
Remembering a Pioneer
In August 2003, the Ministry of Patriots' and Veterans' Affairs chose Kwon Ki-ok as the "Independence Activist of the Month." This honored her important contributions to Korea's freedom.
For a while, people thought another pilot, Park Kyung-won, was Korea's first female aviator. But later, it became widely known that Kwon Ki-ok was actually the first. This led to changes in how a 2005 South Korean film about Park Kyung-won was promoted, making sure Kwon Ki-ok's true pioneering role was recognized.
See also
- An Chang-nam
- Feng Ru
