Hong Phu An, Second Son of Independence Activist Hong Jae-ha and Honorary Consul in France, Dies

Financial News—Jean-Jacques Hong Phu An, the son of Hong Jae-ha, an independence activist who fought for Korea's independence in France during the Japanese colonial era, and a former honorary consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France, died on the night of the 26th (local time). He was 84.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France said, "The deceased made a significant contribution to recovering and widely publicizing the history of the independence movement carried out in faraway France by carefully preserving valuable historical materials related to the independence movement left by his late father and conveying them to the Republic of Korea over many years." It added, "The deceased devoted his life to promoting friendship between the peoples of the two countries as a bridge connecting Korea and France," and expressed its condolences, saying, "We will long remember his valuable life and dedication."
Hong Phu An's father, Hong Jae-ha, carried out independence activities under Japanese rule before fleeing to France in 1919 via Manchuria, Russia and Britain. He supported the Paris Committee Office of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in every possible way. In 1919, Hong organized the Korean National Association in France, the first Korean organization in Europe, and served as its second chairman. In 1920, he also held a ceremony with about 50 Koreans living in Europe to mark the first anniversary of the March 1 Movement.
After marrying a French woman in Paris and having two sons and three daughters, Hong was never able to fulfill his dream of returning to Korea with his family. He died of cancer in 1960.
Hong Jae-ha's independence activities came to light only a few years ago. With the help of Korean residents in France who were close to his second son, Hong Phu An, as well as historians in Korea and abroad, Hong's achievements became known to the public in 2018. As a result, Hong received the Order of Merit for National Foundation from the Korean government about 60 years after his death. In November 2022, his remains, which had been buried near Paris, were returned to the homeland he had longed for and interred at Daejeon National Cemetery.
Hong Phu An, who worked to share stories about his father's independence activities in Korea and abroad and led efforts to repatriate his remains, was appointed honorary consul in Saint-Brieuc, his place of residence in northwestern France, in 2020. He regained South Korean citizenship in October 2024. On the 9th of this month, he attended and spoke at a meeting with Korean residents held during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to France. It was his last official activity.
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