In 1907, the Korean army was disorganizationed by Japan. In 1909, he decided to start the independence movement. After Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, fled to Manchuria and Primorsky Krai, and settled in West Jiandao. He joined Shinheung Military Academy. He worked there as an instructor and he trained many independence activists. At the same time he graduated Imperial Japanese Army Academy and worked there. He met Ji Cheong-cheon and Kim Gyeong-chun at Manchuria. These three men decided to have names which includes '天'(means 'sky' in Chinese). Shin Pal-gyun's artificial name was Shin Dong-chun.
