The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    BTS producer encourages anticipation for future messages from group

  • 3

    From hip-hop idols to global superstars, BTS shatters records over decade

  • 5

    LIFE'S OLLE TRAILS 1How hiking Jeju's 437km of trails changed my life

  • 7

    Korea beats Nigeria to advance to semifinals at FIFA U-20 World Cup

  • 9

    Korea sees record-high number of flu patients for late spring

  • 11

    3 EXO members file antitrust complaint against SM Entertainment

  • 13

    Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition

  • 15

    Korean bio firms to seek new opportunities at int'l convention in Boston

  • 17

    Shipbuilding stocks rally over hope for 'super cycle'

  • 19

    Deep-rooted problems push nurses to handle doctors' duties

  • 2

    Senior citizens land low-wage jobs after retirement: report

  • 4

    Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets

  • 6

    Tom Cruise to visit Korea to promote new film

  • 8

    S. Korea, Japan agree to prevent recurrence of maritime dispute

  • 10

    Korea denies discussion with EU on sending ammunition to Ukraine

  • 12

    Election watchdog under fire for refusing to accept inspection

  • 14

    Concerns rise over Samsung SDS' growing intra-group transactions

  • 16

    K-food transforms global culinary industry

  • 18

    Korea, Japan agree to hold working-level talks to prevent repeat of 2018 maritime incident: Seoul's defense chief

  • 20

    Uhm Jung-hwa enjoys second heyday with JTBC series 'Doctor Cha'

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Tue, June 6, 2023 | 06:30
Ahn Jung-geun
Bronze PrizeWhat is Ahn Jung-guen’s Place in East Asia’s History?
Posted : 2009-10-25 22:50
Updated : 2009-10-25 22:50
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
The year 2009 marks important anniversaries for many world events: the Versailles Treaty of 1919; the outbreak of World War II; the 1989 Tiananmen massacre and other world-changing events that took place that year; and, for Koreans, the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Ito Hirobumi by Korean patriot Ahn Jung-geun.

By Patricia Wong

The year 2009 marks important anniversaries for many world events: the Versailles Treaty of 1919; the outbreak of World War II; the 1989 Tiananmen massacre and other world-changing events that took place that year; and, for Koreans, the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Ito Hirobumi by Korean patriot Ahn Jung-geun.

Just what is the role of Ahn Jung-geun in the history of East Asia? What influence did he actually have?

The author, who is of Chinese heritage, would like to take this opportunity to discuss the topic from the perspective of China's history.

Throughout the ages, the relationship between that of Korea and the Liaodong Peninsula (遼東半島) of Northeast China has been described in Chinese as "interdependent like teeth and lips" (唇齒相依)---- one being indispensible to the other. Indeed as history has shown, whenever one was attacked, the other one fell.

Imperial Japan's intentions of expansion into China and Korea became clear by the late 1800's. After the murder of Empress Myeong Seong by Japanese ronins in 1895, Korea's occupation by Japan became a matter of time. However, the Japanese Imperial Court, the Imperial Army, as well as the upper echelons of both domestic and diplomatic power, were not at one on the issue of timing.

At the time of his assassination, Hirobumi was Japan's former Resident-General in Korea. Hirobumi actually belonged to the moderate "dove" faction in the Japanese government, who opposed quick annexation of Korea as pushed for by the militaristic "hawk" faction, led by Yamagata Aritomo. It was precisely this faction that forced Hirobumi to resign as Resident-General shortly before his death. As many historians would agree today, the killing of Hirobumi, a leading figure in the "dove" faction, theoretically hastened the annexation of Korea by Japan. However, aside from a political/military aspect, the author would also like to view the issue from one more perspective: that of American railroad interest in Manchuria.

First, let's look at the events immediately surrounding Hirobumi's visit to Harbin, Northeast China, where he met his death October 26th, 1909.

On that day, he was scheduled to meet the Russian Finance Minister, M. Kokovtsoff, to discuss a range of vital issues, not least of all U.S. interest in purchasing part of the railroad rights in Manchuria, a major part of Northeast China.

At the turn of the 20th century, U.S. railway magnate E.H. Harriman expressed interest in purchasing part of the Southern Manchurian Railway; and even though he died before the assassination of Hirobumi, after his death U.S. intentions in Manchuria continued.

At the time of his death, both Hirobumi and Kokovtsoff belonged to the "dove" factions of their respective countries, advocating for "Railway Neutrality" (滿洲鐵路中立化) in Manchuria, which favored selling part of the railway in Northeast China to the U.S. The death of Hirobumi shattered all hopes of Japan conceding even one inch of railroad to the States.

This is the strategic point we'd like to analyze: many historians raise the question of whether U.S. presence in Manchuria through railway purchase would have curbed Japanese expansion in that area. Though this could be seen as an open-ended question, many would agree that American presence could at least in part keep Japanese expansion in check. The reason was that Japanese military activity in Northeast China would inevitably have interfered with U.S. railway establishments, and the risk of conflict with America might thus have held Japanese ambition at Bay at least for a short time.

Having stated the above, the author does not hold the view that Ahn Jung-geun's selfless act was futile or counter-productive. Regardless whether viewed from a military/political or railway point of view, Japanese annexation of Korea was still inevitable---with or without the death of Hirobumi.

Moreover, from a spiritual point of view, the story of Ahn Jung-geun became an anthem of hope for resistance fighters in both Korea and China, even long after the war. In the darkest days of Japanese invasion, the name of An resounded through China's blood-soaked fields, even future Premier Zhou En Lai (周恩來) and his wife Deng Rong Chao (鄧穎超) portrayed An countless times in wartime stage plays.

Decades later in 1982, the author remembers as a child in Hong Kong how college students would raise the portrait of Ahn in anger against the Japanese government for distorting textbooks on the subject of atrocities in China. Even as recently as the Comfort Women protest in the last few years, the name of Ahn was still invoked----he has simply become a symbol of strength to those who battle Japanese oppression.

However, it should not be forgotten that the Japanese people, including Hirobumi himself, were also victims of their country's military exploits. As is now widely agreed, Hirobumi was not the most aggressive among Japanese expansionists of the time.

The great Chinese reformist thinker Liang Chi Chao once referred to Ahn and Hirobumi as "Yang Yeon" (兩賢), or "two wise men", in his ode to Ahn's fateful act, clearly reflecting that all three countries----China, Korea, Japan----were victims of the same tragic strife.

In conclusion, even though Ahn's role in East Asian history was mostly spiritual and inspirational in both Korea and China's fight against Japan, let this anniversary not be a day of hate, but a day of reflection on selflessness and reconciliation.
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets Korean shorthairs among favorite cat breeds as more people choose to adopt pets
2[ANALYSIS] S. Korean economy feared to follow in Japan's footsteps ANALYSISS. Korean economy feared to follow in Japan's footsteps
3Agency launched to offer exclusive support for overseas KoreansAgency launched to offer exclusive support for overseas Koreans
4Retailers use recycled, biodegradable plastic to attract eco-conscious consumers Retailers use recycled, biodegradable plastic to attract eco-conscious consumers
5Retail investors bet on wrong horse despite KOSPI rallyRetail investors bet on wrong horse despite KOSPI rally
6Embassy of Italy celebrates Republic Day Embassy of Italy celebrates Republic Day
7Korea's export dependency on China dips below 20% Korea's export dependency on China dips below 20%
8HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean to compete in Busan to sell naval ships HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean to compete in Busan to sell naval ships
9Stats agency to use Naver's AI chatbot to offer tailored data for firms Stats agency to use Naver's AI chatbot to offer tailored data for firms
10Memorial event to be held for fallen Thai soldiers of Korean War Memorial event to be held for fallen Thai soldiers of Korean War
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[REVIEW] 'The ODD Of Love' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists REVIEW'The ODD Of Love' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists
2Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition
3Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation
4[INTERVIEW] 'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series INTERVIEW'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series
5'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season 'HyeMiLeeYeChaePa' producer Lee Tae-kyung hopeful of second season
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group