00:11 Do you know about this man’s hope for global peace?
00:17 Jean Monnet (1888-1979), French Economist who envisioned peace in one integrated Europe
00:23 The First and Second World Wars caused immense damage and suffering to the world.
00:29 The center of the conflict was Europe.
00:35 The conflict over coal and steel between France and Germany persisted after the wars.
00:41 Jean Monnet was the one who resolved this conflict and built peace in Europe.
00:47 “Is there a way to jointly manage coal and steel?”
00:53 Monnet’s idea led to the Schuman Plan, which laid the foundation for the European Union (EU).
00:59 The Schuman Plan
The joint European coal and steel management plan, proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman
01:05 Consequently, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed.
01:11 The ECSC was started with six European countries, including France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
01:17 The ECSC evolved into the EU, a central organization for peace and reconciliation in Europe.
01:23 One man’s dream became the cornerstone of peaceful European unity.
01:29 Do you know about this man who dreamed of building world peace through the integration of Asia?
01:39 This man tried to build Asian unity, 50 years prior to the EU.
01:45 To build Asian unity, he drafted ideas for a peaceful Asia.
01:51 He dedicated his entire life to this goal.
01:57 Ahn Jung-geun (1879 ~ 1910)
02:06 Ahn organized and led an armed resistance group against Imperial Japan.
02:09 He assassinated Ito Hirobumi, who led Japan’s colonial expansion in Asia.
02:15 Ahn’s heroic action in Harbin wasn’t one man’s murder, but a part of unique guerrilla warfare. He achieved more than a huge Chinese army had done.”
– Minhu Daily, Shanghai, China
02:21 Ahn’s action influenced not only Korea but also the world. He may not live for 100 years, but his name will live forever. Born in a weak country, Ahn became a criminal. Born in a strong country, Ito became a prime minister. Someday, their positions will change. History will be the judge. – Poem of Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China
02:27 Ahn devoted his life to national independence and peace.
02:33 He held onto one goal throughout his life.
“Peace in Asia”
02:39 On February 14, 1910, Ahn stood before the court in the Lushun District, China’s Liaoning Province.
02:45 Judge: Did you kill Ito Hirobumi?
Ahn: I killed him at Harbin Railway Station. It wasn’t for self-interest, but for peace in Asia.
02:55 Ahn listed Ito’s 15 crimes before the judge.
03:01 1. Crime of killing Queen Myeongseong
2. Crime of deposing King Gojong
7. Crime of creating economic chaos by issuing new banknotes
8. Crime of dismantling the Korean army
9. Crime of interfering with Korean national education
12. Crime of spreading lies to justify its occupation of Korea
14. Crime of breaking peace in Asia by invading China
03:10
Ahn: I suggest Japan set an example for the world by taking steps toward peace in Asia.
03:16
Judge: Your action may not be motivated by personal vengeance … [omit] … It was committed in a public area where many people gathered. For this reason, the death sentence is the most appropriate.
03:22
I sentence Ahn Jung-geun, the defendant, to death by execution.
- From Ahn Jung-geun’s trial
03:28 The Graphic, a British weekly newspaper, featured this trial in an article on April 16, 1910.
03:34 “Ahn was the true victor of the trial and he walked out of the court room with a crown.”- From the Graphic
03:40 The Japanese government tried to skew media coverage in its favor.
03:46 This trial generated international attention.
03:52 Ultimately, it was a victory of the assassin, Ahn, and Korean freedom fighters.
03:58 He wanted to deliver one message at his last moment.
04:04 Peace in Asia, the value for which he sacrificed his life.
04:10 Ahn said his last words before the execution.
04:16 I hope you understand why I did what I did.
04:22 Whether you are Korean or Japanese, work together to build peace in Asia.
04:28 As my last wish, I ask permission to give three cheers for peace in Asia.
04:35 However, his request was denied.
04:41 Ahn left one unfinished book.
04:47 Ahn Jung-guen’s Hope for Peace in Asia
“On Peace in Asia”
04:53 At Lushun Prison, Ahn started writing an essay on peace in Asia.
04:59 He was executed in 1910 before its completion.
05:05 There are so many people living in Asia who think about the future of Asia.
05:11 How can all of us just sit and do nothing while Asia is being destroyed? Is it the right thing to do?
05:17 I started my righteous war in Harbin for peace in Asia. And in Lushun, I will discuss my ideas for peace in Asia.
05:23 Here are my ideas for Peace in Asia … (omit)
05:29 Ahn suggested that the Western colonial powers were a common threat to Asia.
05:35 He emphasized that Korea, China, and Japan should work together to defend Asia.
05:41 The essay was never complete.
05:47 However, his last wish for peace in Asia was indicated in his interview with Judge Hiraishi.
05:53 Russia will try to take the port town of Lushun. Then, Japan will take it from Russia, and China will try to get it back.
05:59 To maintain peace in Asia, we need to make Lushun neutral ground.
06:05 My suggestion is to make Lushun a joint military port managed by Korea, Japan, and China.
06:11 The three countries should also organize the Asia Peace Council.
06:17 The council will be funded by membership fees from the people of the three countries.
06:23 Establish a bank that issues a common currency used by all three countries.
06:29 Organize an army where people from the three countries serve together and learn the languages of the other two countries to foster a close relationship.
06:35 Build economic partnerships among the three countries to eliminate the need for dominance.
06:41 Then, conflict among the three countries will disappear.
06:47 Other Asian countries will also be encouraged to join the council.
06:53 Ahn Jung-guen’s Hope for peaceful Asian unity
“On Peace in Asia”
07:05 Korea, China, and Japan start a coalition
The three countries defend Asia against the Western colonial powers.
Start encouraging other Asian countries to join.
07:12
Ahn made specific action plans.
Organize the Asia Peace Council
Operate a joint military port.
Establish a bank to issue a common currency.
Use the same currency in the three countries.
07:18 The three countries don’t need to seek dominance.
07:26 He suggested peaceful Asian unity that no one imagined before.
07:32 It’s our mission to realize Ahn’s vision.
07:38 VANK is here to work with you to build peace in Asia.
07:44 We build a future for Asia.