Memorial to Korean patriot marks shooting at Harbin
Print Edition
A MEMORIAL hall to commemorate a Korean patriot who killed a top Japanese official over a century ago opened in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, yesterday.
Ahn Jung Geun shot dead Hirobumi Ito, who had served as prime minister of Japan four times before becoming resident-general of Korea in 1905, at the Harbin railway station on October 26, 1909. He was arrested at the scene and executed in March 1910 by Japanese forces.
The memorial hall consists of exhibition rooms telling the story of Ahn’s life, and shows the exact spot where the shooting took place.
Ahn, who was born in 1879, devoted himself to the education of the Korean people and later joined armed resistance in northeast China and Russia.
After Japan forced the Korean Empire to sign a protectorate treaty in 1905, Ito became de facto ruler of Korea.
“People have cherished the memory of Ahn for the past century. Today we erect a memorial to him and call on peace loving people around the world to unite, resist invasions and oppose war,” said Sun Yao, vice governor of Heilongjiang at the opening ceremony.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye asked for China’s help in setting up a commemorative stone at Harbin railway station in honor of Ahn during her visit to China last year.
Harbin has had an exhibition of Ahn’s life on regular display at a local museum since 2006. The exhibition has now moved to the memorial hall.
Some of the items on display were acquired from Hong Kong and overseas. Most of the items left behind by Ahn are in the hands of the Japanese, according to hall staff.
Admission to the memorial hall is free.
“We seldom build a memorial for a foreigner. Today we do not intend to raise discord, but hope all countries can face up to history and jointly seek peace,” said Xu Hedong, deputy director of the Harbin cultural and press department.
Hee Sun Jung, general manager of South Korea’s Asiana Airlines’ office in Harbin, took his 12-year-old son to see the exhibition.
“I thank China for marking the exact spot of the incident,” said Jung.
“Ahn Jung Geun was not a terrorist but one who confronted colonists bravely,” said Da Zhigang, director of the institute of northeast Asian studies at Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences. “I believe the purpose of this memorial hall is not to cut off communication but to remind people of the real history and call for peace.”
Seong-hyon Lee, chief correspondent of the Korea Times, said Ahn was widely regarded as a patriot in South Korea.
Huang Dahui, professor of international relations at Renmin University said the memorial was of considerable current significance and far-reaching historical significance.
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