Lee Bong-chang

Lee Bong-chang (; August 10, 1900 – October 10, 1932) was a Korean independence activist. In Korea, he is remembered as a martyr due to his participation in the 1932 Sakuradamon incident, in which he attempted to assassinate the Japanese Emperor Hirohito with a grenade.

Early life Lee was born on August 10, 1900, in Hyochang-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, Korean Empire. He was born into the Jeonju Yi clan, to father Lee Chin-ku. He had an older brother, Lee Pŏm-t'ae.

His family was so poor that as soon as he graduated from elementary school, he began working. Around 1917, he worked in a shop owned by a Japanese person, but was fired in 1919.

Lee was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Order of the President) in 1962.

Personal life Lee was popular and well-liked by many Japanese people. Kim later wrote of Lee departing from Shanghai:

To Tokyo, Lee carried with him a glowing letter of reference from the chief of police at the Japanese consulate in Shanghai. The chief was one of many police and staff of the consulate that Lee had befriended. According to historian Son Se-il, there were rumors that after Lee's attack, the chief was demoted and recalled to Japan, where he eventually committed suicide. Letter by Lee Bong-chang and Remittance Certificate, now a . Lee's letter is on the left, the bank remittance confirming the transfer of funds is on the right. After Lee arrived in Japan, he admitted to being irresponsible with the money given to him. On December 20, 1931, Lee allegedly sent a telegram to Kim Ku, asking for 100 yen, as he had spent his travel expenses on alcohol. Running out of money, Lee pawned the watch Kim bought for him and went to an employment agency to find a quick job. On December 28, the employment agency found a spot for him at a sushi restaurant supply store. That same day, Kim sent Lee the 100 yen he had asked for. Ashamed, Lee wrote Kim a letter that read "I spent money like a madman, and I've since racked up debts even for my meals. With this money, I'll have more than enough to pay back my debts".