The development and nature of the Righteous Army Movement in Nowon after 1905

The Nowon area was a central location for the righteous army (Uibyeong) warfare in the northeastern Gyeonggi region during the Jeongmi Righteous Army Movement in 1907. In particular, it served as a strategic point for advancing into Seoul and was a hub for raising military funds and procuring supplies to reorganize the righteous army units. The reason Nowon could serve as a base for the righteous army was due to its socioeconomic background, supported by transportation hubs like nowonyeog(蘆原驛) and nuwonjeom(樓院店). nowonyeog(蘆原驛), governed by the Ministry of Military Affairs(兵曹), was a critical waypoint on the road to hamgyeongdo(咸鏡道). As a result, horse breeding was important in this area, which led to the development of the iron forging industry for making horseshoe nails. This industry enabled the righteous army to repair and manufacture weapons. Furthermore, nowonyeog(蘆原驛) and nuwonjeom(樓院店) were central hubs of commerce, making them places where goods and information converged. These conditions made it easier for the righteous army to gather intelligence, secure military funds, and procure supplies, leading to an influx of righteous army forces into the Nowon area. Additionally, the mountainous terrain of Suraksan and Buramsan in the Nowon area was advantageous for guerrilla warfare. The presence of temples provided spaces where the righteous army could gather and operate. These factors made the Nowon area a favorable base for the righteous army. After the failure of the 13-province Changeuigun’s the Seoul advancing operation, the Nowon area became a rallying point for the righteous army. Notable righteous army units active in the Nowon area included those led by Lee Eunchan and Kang Gidong. In summary, the Nowon area became a major base for the righteous army’s warfare in the northeastern Gyeonggi region due to its significance as a transportation and commercial hub supported by nowonyeog(蘆原驛) and nuwonjeom(樓院店), the development of the iron forging industry for horseshoe nails, the advantageous mountainous terrain of Buramsan and Suraksan for guerrilla warfare, and its accessibility for raising military funds and procuring supplies.