Former Site Exhibition Hall of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Chongqing

　　   The Former Site Exhibition Hall of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea is situated at No. 38, Lianhuachi, Qixinggang, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, about 0.8 kilometers from the city center. It is a thematic museum dedicated to researching and showcasing the history of Korea’s independence movement. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was a government-in-exile that persistently carried out anti-Japanese and independence activities in China. Established in April 1919 in Shanghai, it relocated to Chongqing in March and became the only foreign government-in-exile within China during World War II. The current site of the museum was once the location of the highest authority of the Provisional Government of Korea in China. Covering an area of approximately 1,300 square meters, with a built-up area of about 1,770 square meters, the site consists of five restored buildings primarily constructed with brick and wood. These structures have been preserved and restored to closely resemble their original appearance during the time when the Korean Provisional Government operated there. The exhibition hall now includes a display area of 284 square meters, 21 restored rooms, 468 exhibits, and 150 cultural relics and documents.

　　   The Korean Provisional Government was a government-in-exile that long upheld the anti-Japanese independence movement in China. Officially established in April 1919 in Shanghai, it formulated the "Provisional Charter of the Republic of Korea." With the outbreak of China’s War of Resistance against Japan, Korean revolutionaries who had long struggled against Japanese rule in China believed that “an unprecedented and unmatched opportunity for the Korean nation’s independence and self-reliance” had arrived. Inspired by the nationwide resistance effort, and in pursuit of Korean independence, many joined China’s war efforts. The Korean Provisional Government also resumed public activities in Zhenjiang.

　　   Following the westward relocation of the Nationalist Government to Chongqing, representatives of the Korean Provisional Government stationed in Chongqing and some of their family members arrived in the spring of 1938. In February 1939, key leaders of the Provisional Government, including Kim Gu, came to Chongqing. The following month, the entire leadership of the Provisional Government traveled from Zhenjiang via Changsha, Guangzhou, and Liuzhou, eventually arriving at Tuo Wan Town in Qijiang County, on the outskirts of Chongqing. In September 1940, they moved to Pingdu Township in Tujiao Village, Ba County. The Provisional Government stayed in Pingdu for four years, renting some office spaces and also constructing its own auditorium and dormitories.

　　   Because Pingdu was far from the city center, the Provisional Government found it very inconvenient to operate there. As a result, they rented a residence on Lianhuachi Street, Qixinggang, in the city center (now No. 38, Lianhuachi), made some renovations, and relocated their offices there in early 1945, where they remained until leaving Chongqing. This residence consisted of four buildings and included air-raid shelter facilities.

　　   The relocation of the Korean Provisional Government to Chongqing marked the city as a hub for Korean patriots’ anti-Japanese independence activities during the War of Resistance. They regarded Chongqing—the wartime capital of China’s resistance—as “the current political center of our Korean independence movement because it hosts the Provisional Government, the Headquarters of the Korean Liberation Army, and the leading bodies of various political parties.” During the war, over ten Korean political groups were active in Chongqing. Benefiting from a secure and open environment, along with extensive support from the Nationalist Government, the Korean Provisional Government undertook numerous significant activities in Chongqing: the preliminary formation of cooperation among Korean political factions, the official establishment of the Korean Liberation Army, and major efforts to gain international recognition, among others. These activities became important components of the history of Korea’s anti-Japanese independence movement and of Korea-China relations.

　　   On September 9, 1945, the surrender ceremony of Japan was held at the Government-General Building in Seoul. In late October, various sectors in the wartime capital held ceremonies to bid farewell to the members of the Korean Provisional Government returning home. At 9:00 AM on November 5, 29 individuals, including ministers and above of the Provisional Government along with their secretaries and guards, departed Chongqing on two chartered planes, transiting through Shanghai before returning to Korea. To express gratitude for the deep friendship of the Chinese people, Kim Gu issued a “Farewell Letter to the People of the Republic of China” before departure, stating: “Over the eight years of resistance, our Provisional Government followed the National Government to Chongqing. For all matters—borrowing government buildings, supplying military equipment, and supporting the livelihoods of our nationals—we are profoundly grateful for your generous support even in those times of extreme economic hardship.”

　　   The former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea on Lianhuachi was converted into the Former Site Exhibition Hall of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Chongqing in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance and also the 50th anniversary of Korea’s liberation. It has since attracted many Koreans to visit and pay tribute, becoming a historical witness to China-Korea friendship and a bridge for economic and cultural exchanges. In September 2000, the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government designated it as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit.