This study is to research the Formation and Activities of Pro-Rhee’ Christian Forces under the rule of Japanese imperialism. Relationships between Rhee and Korean Christian forces were formed by Independence Association, his conversion in prison, and his activities of YMCA in the early 1910s. Most of the Pro-Rhee Korean Christian forces were Korean Christian of Seoul, Gyeonggi-Do, and ChungChong-Do birth who were active mostly in Christian groups including Christian Association and YMCA in the 1910s. Rhee suggested Diplomatic Independence Principle and Ability Cultivation Principle as strategies of the independence movement. Korean Christian forces connected to Rhee agreed to Rhee’s strategies. They did not attract support for Korea’s independence from the international society but also developed movements of ability cultivation such as Private University Establishment Campaign and Rural Enlightenment Movement.
Directly after the March 1 Movement, Korean Christian forces delivered Korea’s interim government’s document declared in Korea to Syng-man Rhee, who was out of Korea. After that time, this contributed greatly to Rhee’s becoming the supreme leader of dependence movement in and outside Korea. Korean Christian forces banded together with Rhee outside Korea and formed Heung-eop Club as an organization which agreed to Comrade Association abroad and adopted as important activities raising funds of independence movement and constructing economical networks in and outside Korea. Some members of Heung-eop Club did not participate in Shin-gan Association Movement but also played a key role in YMCA’s Rural Enlightenment Movement.
However, Syng-man Rhee’s overseas position became weakened due to the bankruptcy of Dongji-Shiksan Company and conflicts related to the subscription of fund. In conclusion, Rhee’s relationships with Korean Christian forces were rapidly estranged in Korea’s circumstances (e.g. Sang-Jae Lee’s death, the conflict of Chi-Ho Yoon and Heung-Woo Shin in Heung-eop Club, the failure of establishing Industrial Department, the depression of YMCA’s Rural Enlightenment Campaign, etc.) after the mid-1930s.

• 김권정(경희대학교) | Kim, Kwon Jung