It operated between July 2, 1896 and December 25, 1898, and was founded and led by the prominent Korean independence activist Soh Jaipil.
Its advocacy for reforming the government into a constitutional monarchy brought it into conflict with the Korean monarch Gojong as well as conservatives in the court.
A number of political organizations came into being in Korea during the 1890s, each formed with the hope of securing the nation's independence and the rights of the people.
On July 2, 1896, Seo Jae-pil and Yi Sang-jae, Yun Chi-ho formally inaugurated the Independence Club (Doklip-hyuphoe).
[4] The Independence Club drew its early membership of about 30 men from other like-minded groups, from incumbent politicians and former government officials.
As criticism of the government and its policies mounted, a number of the higher level officials associated with the Independence Club thought it wise to resign their positions for political reasons.
As it became more of a citizen's assembly, the Independence Club moved beyond symbolic activities and began to initiate direct social and political action programs.
In October 1898 the club held demonstrations in front of palace in response to the government's attempts to revise repressive pre-Gabo laws.
The club mobilized a thousand people a day, causing great public excitement, and appears to have come close to forcing Gojong to give into their demands for an appointed assembly.
The organization tried to criticize the government for corruption, while not directly insulting Emperor Gojong, distinguish him from his “wicked” officials.
When the club voted to recall Park Yeong-hyo from Japan to sit in the assembly, conservatives in the court struck back.
After continued riots, in December 1898 Gojong enforced martial law and arrested 340 leaders of the Independence Club, sent troops to break up demonstrations, and forbade popular assemblies.