Salem, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Kim Kyusik

(1881-1950)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. Kim Kyusik (1881-1950) Marker

Inscription. Kim Kyusik, a leader in the Korean independence movement, was born in southern Korea and graduated from Roanoke College in 1903. After Japan annexed Korea in 1910, Kim served the Provisional Korean Government based in China as secretary of foreign affairs, and later as minister of education and vice president. He advocated Korean independence at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, promoted the Korean cause in the U.S. as chair of the Korean Commission, and helped organize the Korean National Revolutionary Party in China. After World War II, Kim opposed permanent partition of Korea into North and South. He was kidnapped by the North Korean army during the Korean War and died in captivity.

Erected 2021 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-115.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Government & Politics • War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 37° 17.72′ N, 80° 3.272′ W. Marker is in Salem, Virginia. Marker is on High Street/Maxey Way north of East Clay Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the Roanoke

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College campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salem VA 24153, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The John R. Turbyfill '53 Quadrangle (within shouting distance of this marker); Roanoke College Administration Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roanoke County Confederate Monument (about 700 feet away); William Howard Thompson (about 700 feet away); East Hill Cemetery North (approx. ¼ mile away); Sgt. James Walton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Andrew Lewis’ Grave (approx. 0.3 miles away); To honor our Confederate Soldiers (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . .
1. Kim Kyu-sik. Wikipedia entry on the Korean activist, academic and politician. (Submitted on November 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Historical marker dedicated at Roanoke College. The Historical Marker topic was selected as one of the 5 winning submissions of the 2021 AAPI Heritage Month Historical Roadside Marker Competition by Cumberland Middle School. It was unveiled on March 31, 2022.

"Kim Kyusik was born in Korea, and graduated from Roanoke College in 1903. He was an influential leader in the Korean independence movement. During a ceremony
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. Kim Kyusik (1881-1950) Marker
Thursday morning, Roanoke College President Michael Maxey said Kyusik was probably the Roanoke graduate who’s had the greatest influence on world affairs."

(Submitted on December 22, 2023.)

via Roanoke College (Public Domain), 1903

3. Kim Kyusik

His graduation photo at Roanoke College. Orphaned as a young child, he was adopted by Presbyterian missionary Dr. Horace Underwood. It was through Underwood that Kim came to Roanoke College, a Lutheran-related institution.

Unknown, via The Archives of Korean History (Public Domain), 1947

4. Kim Kyusik

He is shown during a public speech, approximately three years before he was taken prisoner by North Korea and later died in captivity.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.