Korean independence activist Yu Gwan-sun immortalized in AI video
By Bryan Ke
August 11, 2023
South Korea has immortalized prominent figures from Korea’s independence movement against Japan using artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by wireless telecommunications operator SK Telecom.
Recent unveiling: The video media art was unveiled Friday at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan. SK Telecom has had a partnership with the Korean history museum since March 2020.
Key details: Some of the highlights of Friday’s event include the unveiling of an immersive exhibition using augmented reality (AR) technology, a talking AI robot that will provide commentary about the independence movement and photos and videos of historical figures such as Yu Gwan-sun and An Jung-geun that were made using SK Telecom’s AI image restoration technology called Supernova.
According to SK Telecom, the talking robot will engage with visitors through real-time conversations using ChatGPT.
Visitors will also be able to scan QR codes to view independence movement stories via AR. SK Telecom will start adding stories about the movement’s heroes in November.
About An: Born on Sept. 2, 1879, An was considered a hero by many Koreans after he shot and killed Itō Hirobumi, the first prime minister of Japan who was responsible for Japan’s expansion in Korea.
An allegedly killed Itō because he believed that keeping the statesman alive would disturb the peace in East Asia and strain the relationship between Japan and Korea. He was eventually transferred to a prison in Lushun, China, where he was tortured and executed on March 26, 1910.
About Yu: Born on Dec. 16, 1902, Yu was a key figure during the March First Movement, also known as the Sam-il Independence Movement, in 1919. Yu became an activist and a leader of the movement aimed to oppose the Japanese Empire at just 16 years old.
Yu lit a beacon on top of Mount Maebong on March 31, 1919, a gesture that ignited the fire of independence among several Koreans at the time. They organized a widespread protest on April 1, where 19 people died, including Yu’s parents.
Yu was eventually arrested and sent to Seodaemun Prison. Yu died on Sept. 28, 1920, from the injuries she sustained after being tortured for organizing a protest inside the prison with other inmates.
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