About Ahn
"[Ahn Jung-geun] overcame the Japanese and successfully instigated the Korean independence movement. Born in Hwanghaedo, Haejoo, from a young age, Ahn was a boy who could not tolerate any malicious deeds."
- North Korean High School and Middle School Textbook (Choseon Text)
Role of Catholicism
French priests, especially Le Gac and Father Wilhem, who Ahn's family depended on and learned from originated from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. France lost this region in a war against Prussia (present-day Germany) in the Franco-Prussian War (1871) and therefore, many French priests emigrated to Korea. Many of these priests were able to sympathize with Koreans who had also lost their land. |
"Moving your family abroad is the wrong plan. If two thousand citizens, like you, were to leave [Korea] this nation would be completely empty. To avoid this, you must return to your homeland and focus on educating others. The more dangerous a situation is, the more you need to go back home and help your own people, instead of looking for work outside." From this advice, Ahn went back to his hometown in Hwanghaedo and founded the Samheung and Doneui Schools on May 23, 1907. Ahn had realized before that English was essential to succeeding in the international sphere and therefore, these schools were designed to encourage the teaching of English. |
"First, the development of education. Second, the expansion of society. Third, harmony among the people. Fourth, the building of skill and specialization. Only with all these points perfected will you be able to create the powerful nation that you hope for. This plan is one that has worked with all nations and therefore, I wish that you thoughtfully consider my advice to you."
- Priest Le Gac to Ahn (documented in Ahn's autobiography "The History of Ahn Eung-Chil (alias)").