Gwak Jeong-geun
Born on October 17, 1912
Address: 674 Hamjong-ri, Hamjong-myeon, Gangseo-gun, Pyeongan-namdo
Graduated from Hamjong Elementary School
Graduated from Pyeongyang Public Continuation School of Industry
Dismissed from Department of Architecture Preparatory Course, Kansai Engineering School, in the second grade
Managed the Ihwa Furniture Shop
Baptized in the Han River in the summer of 1938 and joined the Deungdaesa
Distributed hundreds of books published by the Deungdaesa in Gangseo-gun and Yonggang-gun
Arrested by Gyeonggi police on July 3, 1939
First trial decision made on July 14, 1942
Sentenced to four years of imprisonment, 400 days served before the verdict included
Interrogation at the Gyeonggi police station, June 8, 1940
Q: As a Japanese citizen, is there any room for believing in Jehovah God in view of the fact that we have Amateras Omikami, the god and emperor of Japan, for eternity?
A: As for me, I have confidence that Jehovah God is the only true God.
Second interrogation at the Gyeonggi police station, June 10, 1940
Q: Do you still believe that the doctrines of the Deungdaesa are the truth?
A: I believe that they are definitely the truth.
Q: In the future, will you ever change your belief?
A: I will never change until I die.
Third interrogation at the Gyeonggi police station, June 18, 1940
A: Jehovah’s Witnesses may be persecuted to death. However, they do not succumb to the persecution but work hard to preach the holy name of God.
Hearing at the Gyeongseong (Seoul) District Court, July 14, 1941
Q: Since becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, have you ever joined in shrine worship?
A: Never. Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to do so because the Bible says that we must not worship any god except Jehovah God.
Q: Since becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, have you ever joined in the worship of the royal palace?
A: Never.
Hearing at the Gyeongseong (Seoul) District Court, August 8, 1941
Q: What is your hope?
A: I have left my all to God.
Hearing at the Gyeongseong (Seoul) District Court, June 15, 1942
Q: A Japanese citizen who adheres to the doctrines of the Deungdaesa is thought to hold rebellious ideas against the Japanese government. What do you say?
A: I have no other choice because I have absolute faith in God Jehovah and believe that the doctrines of the Deungdaesa are the truth.