THIS MONTH IN KOREAN HISTORY - FEB. 2025
By Eun Byoul Oh
February 14th is Valentine’s Day and many Koreans also celebrate the day by sharing chocolate and roses for their lovers.
However, February 14th is also an important date for Korea’s independence history. Ahn Jung Geun, who was arrested for the assassination of Ito Hirobumi, the first head of The Japanese Government General of Korea and former Prime Minster of Japan, was sentenced to death on February 14, 1910.
Russian Press covering assasination of Ito, introducing Ahn as a young Patriot of Korea.
Ahn has stated 15 reasons why he had assassinated Ito:
Assassinating Korean Empress Myeongseong
Dethroning Emperor Gojong
Forcing 14 unequal treaties on Korea
Massacring innocent Koreans
Usurping the authority of the Korean government by force
Plundering Korean railroads, mines, forests, and rivers
Forcing the use of Japanese banknotes
Disbanding the Korean armed forces
Obstructing the education of Koreans
Banning Koreans from studying abroad
Confiscating and burning Korean textbooks
Spreading a rumor around the world that Koreans wanted Japanese protection
Deceiving the Japanese Emperor by saying that the relationship between Korea and Japan was peaceful when in truth it was full of hostility and conflicts
Breaking the peace of Asia
Assassinating the Emperor Komei
Ahn’s assassination did not prevent the ultimate annexation of Korea in August of 1910, but he is remembered as a hero of Korea. The Korean musical, Hero 영웅, which was also adapted into a movie, portrays Ahn’s life. The movie Harbin also depicts the assassination of Ito.
Ahn was executed on March 26, 1910 in Ryojun, Kwantung Leased Territory, Empire of Japan. Ahn wished to be buried in Harbin Park in China until Korea’s independence. Ahn stated that he wished his body to be relocated to Korea after Korea’s independence. However, due to the Japanese government’s unwillingness to cooperate, the remains of Ahn has yet to be located, despite the Korean government’s continued efforts to locate his remains.
