Komarudin

Komarudin (1919 - 1949) is Indonesian freedom fighter from Korea. Komarudin is real name is Yang Chil-seong (양칠성), While the Japanese name is Sichisei Yanagawa (川 七星 七星).

Yang Chil-seong was born on May 29, 1919 in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province. At first he was commissioned by the Japanese colonial government as a guardian of allied forces in Bandung in 1942. At that time both Korea and Indonesia were being colonized by Japan. After Indonesia and Korea gained independence in 1945, Yang Chil-seong did not return to Korea but remained in Indonesia. He changed his name to Komarudin and married Indonesian. When the Dutch soldiers returned to Indonesia and launched military aggression, Komarudin came to Garut with two Japanese soldiers from Bandung joining the Indonesian National Armed Forces. They fought guerrilla warfare in a group dubbed "Pasukan Pangeran Papak" from Markas Besar Gerilya Galunggung (MBGG) led by Major Kosasih, based in Wanaraja, Garut. The two Japanese soldiers named Hasegawa (Abubakar) and Masahiro Aoki (Usman) along with Komarudin were known for good combat skills. The troops also fought in the event of Bandung Sea of Fire. Komarudin also recorded never thwart the Dutch attempt to seize Wanaraja by destroying Cimanuk Bridge.

When the Dutch attacked Garut, the group of Prince Papak troops in charge of securing the area. But because the Dutch forces were too big, the Prince Papak troops were forced to retreat. The three guerrillas were hiding but were caught for information by spies. Komarudin, Abubakar, Usman and an Indonesian fighter named Djoehana were caught on Mount Dora. On August 10, 1949, Komarudin, Abubakar and Usman were executed in Kerkhoff, Garut. While Djoehana was sentenced to life imprisonment in Cipinang Penitentiary Institution. They were buried in TPU Pasir, Bogor, then in 1975 transferred to the Heroes Cemetery of Tenjolaya, Garut. Komarudin died and left a boy.

Previously there was little information about Yang Chil-seong's life in Indonesia. The information about Komarudin who turned out to be a Korean was revealed by Japanese and South Korean historians. In addition, testimony was also obtained from fellow comrades Yang Chil-seong who were still alive. In July 1995, the Indonesian government and South Korean representatives held a Komarudin tombstone replacement ceremony militarily. Since then Komarudin has been regarded as one of the leading figures for Indonesia's independence.

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