Ahn Jung-Geun 안중근 |
|
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Born |
Haeju-bu, Hwanghaedo, Joseon (now Haeju, Hwanghae, North Korea) |
2 September 1879
Died | 26 March 1910 Ryojun, Kwantung Leased Territory, Empire of Japan (now Lüshunkou, China) |
(aged 30)
Known for | Assassinating Itō Hirobumi in 1909 |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 안중근 |
Hanja | 安重根 |
Revised Romanization | An Jung-geun |
McCune–Reischauer | An Chunggŭn |
An Jung-geun (Korean pronunciation: [andʑuŋɡɯn]; September 2, 1879 – March 26, 1910; Baptismal name: Thomas) was a Korean independence activist,nationalist, and pan-Asianist.
On October 26, 1909, he assassinated Itō Hirobumi, a four-time Prime Minister of Japan and former Resident-General of Korea, following the signing of the Eulsa Treaty, with Korea on the verge of annexation by Japan. Ahn was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1962 by the South Korean government, the most prestigious civil decoration in the Republic of Korea, for his efforts for Korean independence.
Ahn was born on September 2, 1879, in Haeju, Hwanghae-do, the first son of Ahn Tae-Hun (안태훈; 安泰勳) and Baek Cheon-Jo (백천조; 白川趙), of the family of the Sunheung Ahn (순흥안씨; 順興安氏) lineage. His childhood name was Ahn Eung-chil (안응칠; 安應七; [anɯŋtɕʰil]). As a boy, he learned Chinese literature and Western sciences, but was more interested in martial arts and marksmanship. Kim Gu (김구; 金九), future leader of the Korean independence movement who had taken refuge in Ahn Tae-Hun's house at the time, wrote that young Ahn Jung-Geun was an excellent marksman, liked to read books, and had strong charisma.
At the age of 25, he started a coal business, but devoted himself to education of Korean people after the Eulsa Treaty by establishing private schools in northwestern regions of Korea. In 1907 he exiled himself to Vladivostok to join in with the armed resistance against the Japanese colonial rulers. He was appointed a lieutenant general of an armed Korean resistance group and led several attacks against Japanese forces before his eventual defeat.