Incheon police under fire for using patriotism symbol on anti-terrorism posters

Anti-terrorism poster posted by Incheon Bupyeong Police Station. / Yonhap

By Lee Han-soo

Incheon Bupyeong Police Station is facing a barrage of criticism after using a handprint of prominent independence fighter Ahn Jung-guen in anti-terrorism posters.

The print of Ahn’s left hand is widely considered a symbol of patriotism. Ahn had his left hand printed shortly before being executed for assassinating Ito Hirobumi, the first governor of the colonized Korean Peninsula, at Harbin Station in October 1909.

The controversial poster contains sentences such as “STOP! Terror,” “Terror!! Can be avoided with everyone’s interest” and “Your concern is the first step in making Bupyeong safe from terror.”

Dozens of the posters were displayed at Bupyeong Station’s underground shopping complex until recently.

“If this is an anti-terrorism poster, does this mean that Ahn Jung-geun is a terrorist?” a netizen asked.

Incheon Bupyeong Police Station has removed all the posters at the station amid controversy.

“We had no intention of bringing disgrace on Ahn Jung-guen,” said an officer. “It was a mistake made while looking for a hand image that signifies stop.”