By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

 

Let's not be a soulless people on Feb. 14. Some people may know whether it is Valentine's Day, but how many people remember that Feb. 14 is the day when Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, a hero of our country and the pride of our nation, was sentenced to death by the Japanese. 

 

 

But to hide that fact, Japan made it a day to exchange chocolates between lovers as a shallow gesture. It's a shameful and unbelievable story that they're trying to hide the memory of this day.

 

February 14, the day a Korean hero was sentenced to death at the tender age of 31, should be known and remembered in our hearts and minds.

 

 

There is a memorial to independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in Namsan. In front of the memorial, Ahn's words are engraved on the stone. On February 14, we should remember the day that Ahn Jung-geun was sentenced to death by the Japanese, not whether it is Valentine's Day. Therefore, we would like to introduce the stone monuments in Namsan. 

 

 

The reason for Ahn's independent movement

I shot and killed Hirobumi Ito as part of the Korean War of Independence,

 

I was brought before a Japanese court because we lost the war and I was taken prisoner.

 

I did not do this in my personal capacity,

 

I did it for the sake of the independence of my country and the peace of the Orient, so let it be dealt with according to the public law of all nations.
(These words were spoken by independence fighter Ahn in the Japanese court.) 

 

 

To my countrymen

In order to restore the independence of Korea and maintain peace in the East, I have been living abroad for three years, but I died here without fulfilling my purpose, so each of our 20 million brothers and sisters should strive to study and promote industry to continue my will and restore freedom and independence, and I don’t care if I die. (These words were spoken by Ahn to his compatriots after meeting lawyer Ahn Byung-chan in Pyongyang, March 25, 1910, published in the Korea Daily News.)

 

 

Last will and testament

After I die, bury my bones by Harbin Park, and bring them to my homeland when the sovereignty is restored. I will strive for the independence of my country as I deserve after going to heaven. You should go back and tell your compatriots to take responsibility for their country, fulfill their civic duties, and work together to build merit and accomplish good deeds. When the sound of Korea's independence is heard in heaven, I will dance and sing hooray as I should. (These words were spoken by  Ahn to his two brothers, Jung Geun and Gong Geun, and Father Hong, shortly before his death.)

 

 

15 articles of Hirobumi Ito's crimes

Killing the Empress of Korean Empire in 1895 by sending Japanese troops to kill the Empress; in 1905, threatening the Emperor of Korea and signing the Five-Point Treaty, and forcibly abdicating the Emperor of Korea in 2007, forcibly issued the Sovereign Bank Note, depleting the nation's finances; forcibly burdened Korea with 1,300 million won in government bonds; burned books in Korean schools and prevented the reading of domestic and foreign newspapers; killed 100,000 Korean doctors and their families who tried to restore Korean sovereignty; banned Korean youth from studying abroad; forced the Korean people to sign the Five Pacts again in 1909, pretending that the Korean people wanted to be protected by Japan; deceived Emperor Meiji into believing that the Korean people were calm while 20 million people were vibrating in the heavens and earth; broke the peace of the East; killed the father of Emperor Meiji in June 1867 (The above was submitted by Ahn to the Japanese Constitutional Court on November 6, 1909, at 2:30 p.m.)

 

 

Independence fighter Ahn’s blood alliance by cutting off ring finger

In January 1909, twelve comrades gathered together in Kari, Noryeng, and cut off the ring finger of their left hand, wrote "Great Independence" on the flag with its blood, and swore an oath to heaven and earth for the independence of the motherland and peace in the East. - 12 comrades of the blood alliance

 

Ahn Eung-chil, 31, Kim Ki-yong, 30, Kang Ki-soon, 40, Chung Won-ju, 30, Park Bong-seok, 32, Yoo Chi-hong, 40, Cho Soon-eung, 25, Hwang Gil-bong, 25, Baek Nam-gyu, 27, Kim Baek-chun, 25, Kim Chun-hwa, 26, Kang Gye-chan, 27

 

 

A mother's letter to her dying son Ahn

This is the content of a letter written by Mrs. Jomaria to Ahn Jung-geun in prison.  

 
What was it like for her mother, Jomaria, to write this letter?

 

I can't stop crying.

"You are the elder brother who has done the right thing, so it is your filial duty to your mother to die honorably, not cowardly.

Your mother does not expect to be reunited with you alive.

If you consider it dishonorable to die before your old mother, she will be a laughingstock.

Your death is not yours alone, but the entire Korean people.

 

If you appeal, you are begging Japan for your life.

 

"Do not hesitate to die for the sake of your country.” (From the autobiography of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun)

On February 14, don't buy or give chocolate.