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
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: 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. It is on High Street/Maxey
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Mountain Region, in Southwest Virginia, and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
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 College Statement of Context (about 700 feet away); Roanoke County Confederate Monument (about 700 feet away); William Howard Thompson
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022
2. Kim Kyusik (1881-1950) Marker
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 Thursday morning, Roanoke College President Michael Maxey said Kyusik was probably the Roanoke graduate whos 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 April 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 712 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
