Pak Tal

Born 1910 in Hamgyong-pukto Province; died 1960 in Pyongyang. Korean revolutionary.

From 1929 to 1931, Pak Tal participated in the founding of progressive organizations, including the Monvon Youth Society and the Kapsan Youth League. He was one of the organizers of the Kapsan Workers’ Committee, which was founded in March 1935 and which in January 1937 became the Union for the National Liberation of Korea. He became head of the union, which was part of the League for the Revival of the Motherland. He joined the Communist Party in March 1937.

Pak Tal participated in the anti-Japanese partisan struggle of the 1930’s. In October 1937 the Japanese authorities threw him into prison, where he remained until the liberation of Korea in August 1945. Although severely ill and bedridden, Pak Tal engaged in public and literary activities for many years. He was the author of short stories, articles on public affairs, and The Motherland Is Dearer Than Life, which includes his reminiscences.