Why was the shooting of Hirobumi important?
"I am not afraid of dying. But, please understand that this act of defiance [the shooting] was something committed to guaranteeing peace in all of Asia."
- Ahn Jung-geun (1910)
Though Koreans did not gain their independence until 1945, about 50 years after this landmark event, Ahn was still able to inform others and renew the nationalistic spirit of the Korean population. At the same time, Ahn was able to show Koreans and foreigners how the Japanese were responsible for disrupting peace in Asia and that if the Japanese continue to conquer further into East Asia, peace in this region will not be restored. Were it not for Ahn's shooting of Hirobumi, Japan would not have halted its military conquest. Basically, this shooting showed people how peace in Asia was still a work in progress and that the Japanese were responsible not only for depriving Koreans of their basic rights but also for throwing into disarray the balance of powers in East Asia.
Relation to "Rights and Responsibilities"
As a righteous and patriotic citizens, Ahn Jung-geun had the right to selflessly shoot Ito Hirobumi and assert his desire for peace all throughout East Asia. Through this shooting, he wanted to show how all humans beings deserve to be granted peace and freedom. Ito Hirobumi was depriving Korean citizens and in a broader context, all East Asians of peace and freedom, therefore giving Ahn the right to defend his people and his desire for peace.
The responsibility does not relate to Ahn himself but to Korean citizens who were born after his time. Taking Ahn's shooting as an example, people of today are responsible for understanding what Ahn tried to achieve in East Asia and making sure the peace he helped establish is maintained throughout this region.
The responsibility does not relate to Ahn himself but to Korean citizens who were born after his time. Taking Ahn's shooting as an example, people of today are responsible for understanding what Ahn tried to achieve in East Asia and making sure the peace he helped establish is maintained throughout this region.