"Why Was It Erected Here?" Japan in Uproar... Ahn Junggeun Monument to Be Removed After Controversy

Ahn Junggeun Monument Installed on Japanese Hotel Grounds
Set to Be Removed Amid Growing Public Criticism

The commemorative monument dedicated to Ahn Junggeun, which was installed on the grounds of a hotel in Japan, is set to be removed following ongoing controversy. The hotel explained that, as the dispute spread over the monument's installation, it had not confirmed the specific details in advance.

Commemorative stone monument for Ahn Junggeun established in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. Ahn Junggeun Memorial Society, Yonhap News Agency

According to the Sankei Shimbun on June 11, Kochi Kuroshio Hotel, located in Konan, Kochi Prefecture, announced via a notice posted on its website that it would remove the Ahn Junggeun monument from its premises.

The monument to Ahn Junggeun was unveiled on June 6 at a ceremony. However, controversy quickly escalated in Japan regarding its installation.

In Japan, Ahn Junggeun is widely regarded as the assassin of Ito Hirobumi, the country's first prime minister and the first Resident-General of Korea. As a result, there was a wave of protests and criticism online. On local social networking services (SNS), some objected, asking, "Why is a monument being erected for Ahn Junggeun, who assassinated Ito Hirobumi?" and "Isn't this glorifying a terrorist?"

In response, the hotel stated, "We sincerely apologize for any concern and inconvenience caused by the monument installed on our property."

The hotel explained that the installation of the monument was proposed by Shiojo Nishimori, honorary president of the Kochi Prefecture Korea-Japan Friendship Association and former chair of the Kochi Prefectural Assembly. It is reported that Nishimori requested to use part of the hotel grounds to erect a stone monument commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.

The hotel said that, at the time, it agreed to the use of its land after being told the monument would symbolize Korea-Japan friendship, but did not confirm the specific details of the monument beforehand. It was only on the day of the unveiling ceremony that the hotel learned the monument was inscribed with the phrase "Korea-Japan Friendship and Peace in East Asia," reflecting the values Ahn Junggeun pursued throughout his life.

The hotel further stated, "We immediately requested the removal of the monument and expect the removal to be completed between June 10 and 12." It also added, "We will reorganize our verification system for all structures and postings installed on our property in the future to prevent similar incidents from recurring."

Ahn Junggeun assassinated Ito Hirobumi, who was regarded as the main perpetrator behind the colonization of the Korean Empire, at Harbin Station in China on October 26, 1909. He was sentenced to death on February 14 of the following year and was executed on March 26.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.