The defendant was aware of the nature, goal, and means of the Provisional Government and the Federation for Korean Youth Groups but… lent privately owned houses and other properties, and provided ships to administrators to transport between Shanghai and Andong… aiding in the acts of rebellious preparation.

-1924. 3. 12. Verdict

The one who received this verdict was George Lewis Shaw(1880 ~ 1943) from England.

George Lewis Shaw was born in 1880 to an Icelandic-English father and a Japanese mother in Fuzhou, China.

In 1907, he founded Iryungyanghaeng, a trading company in Andong(known as Dandong today), China.

In 1919, he supported the Provisional Government of Korea to install the Transportation Bureau on the second floor of Iryungyanghaeng.

The Transportation Bureau acted as the domestic communication agency of the Provisional Government of Korea, taking charge of information gathering and reporting, delivery of confidential documents, fund collection, introduction of associates, and weapon transportation.

The Andong Transportation Bureau sponsored by Shaw was most active in its role as the local base to enter Korea.

Shaw safely transported independence activists with his ships.

Many independence activists who traveled between Korea and Shanghai used vessels from Iryungyanghaeng.

I departed for Shanghai on the ship of Iryungyanghaeng. When crossing the Western Sea, a Japanese patrol craft blew a whistle and followed for the ship to stop. The English captain continued to pass the patrol area at full speed. We safely disembarked on Pudong dock on the fourth day. -『Baekbeomilji』, Kim Koo

Shaw transported supplies for the independence movement including weapons, ammunition, and documents.

He delivered intel from Japanese officials to independence activists for their early escape.

He also sent independence movement funds to the Provisional Government by writing checks under his name.

“The bombs were shipped from Shanghai in boxes of clothing and consigned to a British company at Antung(Andong), being carried on the private steamer of this company.”-『Song Of Ariran』, Nym Wales

Shaw received hostility and surveillance from Japan for his active support of the Korean independence movement.

On July 11th, 1920, he was arrested while visiting Sinuiju to welcome his family arriving from Japan.

Japan prosecuted Shaw with high treason in relation to the Provisional Government of Korea and armed independence activists.

This trial became a sensation in international society, even being reported in the 『London Times』 of England. This attention pressured Japan to release Shaw on bail after 4 months.

After his release, Shaw continued to actively support the Korean independence movement.

In 1921, he hired Kim Mun-gyu as an Iryungyanghaeng employee to revive the Andong Transportation Bureau.

In 1923, he helped the Heroic Corps to use Iryungyanghaeng when initiating their rebellion plan in Korea.

In 1924, he even purchased handguns for entry to Korea at the request of the Provisional government agents including Park Chang-youl. 

“Watch what’s happening in the world now. Ireland was liberated from Britain, and India’s independence is in sight. There’s no doubt that Korea will be the next independent country free from Japan’s colonialism. It won’t be long (before Korea’s movement) bears fruit.”-George Lewis Shaw to Kim Mun-gyu, an Iryungyanghaeng employee

On March 1st, 1963, the Korean government conferred posthumous honors of the Order of Merit for National Foundation to George Lewis Shaw.

However, the honor was not able to be delivered until it was finally accepted by Shaw’s granddaughter, Marjorie Hutchings in August 2012.

“The legacy my grandfather has left behind is that no race, border or gender can restrain us from achieving good deeds.”-Marjorie Hutchings

George Lewis Shaw, who fought against the invasion of Japanese Imperialism for the freedom and justice of Korea, is the true ‘Friend of Korea’!

Let’s carry on the dream of George Lewis Shaw by promoting Korea to the world and changing the global society.