The statue portrays Ahn Chang-ho. The young couple who immigrated to the United States, Ahn Chang-ho and Lee Hyeryeon, might ring a bell. After a long period of little news, it's quite surprising to come across his statue here.

Though he's much younger than me, given the unfamiliarity on a personal level, I'd refer to him respectfully as a Mister. Mr. Ahn Chang-ho played a significant role as a reformer in education during the Daehan Empire and was a staunch advocate for enlightenment. Amidst Japanese colonial rule, he emerged as an independence activist, educator, and politician, leading civil rights and independence movements. At the sensitive age of 18, he witnessed the harsh realities of a powerless nation during the Sino-Japanese War.

The Sino-Japanese War was a truly tragic conflict. It's regrettable that Joseon couldn't prevent China and Japan from fighting on its soil, leaving young Ahn Chang-ho with a heavy burden. Later, believing in strengthening the nation, he immersed himself in new studies in Seoul. He committed to the cause of independence within the country through organizations like the Independence Club and the New People's Society. Abroad, he dedicated his life to the independence movement through institutions like the Korean National Association and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. He's truly a towering figure, not easily defined by me or anyone else.

Let's delve a bit deeper into Ahn Chang-ho's life.

Even upon leaving for the United States, Ahn Chang-ho held his homeland dear. He risked his life for Korea's independence, where he had been deprived of national sovereignty and endangered like a lantern in front of the wind. He traversed between China, Maritime Territory, the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines, likely making him one of the most widely traveled independence activists.
Ahn Chang-ho had a talent to bring his compatriots together. In 1907, he established the secret society, the New People's Society, in Korea to pursue autonomy and independence. In the United States, he gathered Korean communities under the Korean National Association. Furthermore, amidst the emergence of various provisional governments, he played a key role in consolidating them into a unified entity.
It seems that each had their own motives, yet under the clear and decisive leadership of Ahn Chang-ho, they could unite as a single entity. His rationale likely had a well-defined strategy for regaining national sovereignty.

It appears that nurturing talent to brighten the future of the nation was likely one of his primary goals. While in Pyeongyang, he founded Daeseong School and ran the Taegeuk Publishing Company. Abroad, he established the headquarters of the Young Korean Academy in the United States to groom leaders for the national cause. This academy aimed to continue the efforts of Daeseong School, Taegeuk Publishing Company, and the New People's Society, embodying Ahn Chang-ho's skill in nurturing youth for the future.

I, too, focused on education, but couldn't educate students at Sung Kyun Kwan as deeply as Ahn Chang-ho did. I believe someday, a confident and wise Seonbi will emerge to revitalize Sung Kyun Kwan.

Afterward, branches of the Young Korean Academy were legally established within Korea as the Suyang Dongmaenghoe in Seoul and the Dongwoo Gulagbu in Pyeongyang. These groups eventually merged to form the Suyang Donguhoe, later unified as the Donguhoe. However, Japan intervened, leading to the ‘Donguhoe Incident,' resulting in the arrest of numerous leaders and the dissolution of the association. Even Ahn Chang-ho, who was abroad at the time, was arrested and brought back to his homeland. Repeated arrests and his prolonged illness led to his passing. It's a deeply regrettable event, losing such a significant figure in our history.

Ahn Chang-ho was known for his impeccable attire. It's said he expressed the resolute determination of an independence fighter through his clothing, hoping that Koreans wouldn't be disregarded abroad.

The building behind Ahn Chang-ho's statue is the headquarters of the Young Korean Academy. Initially founded in the United States, the Young Korean Academy relocated its headquarters to Korea after the country's liberation and has remained active here. Despite Mr. Ahn passing away nearly 90 years ago, his resolute determination, articulated at the age of 18—'To strengthen oneself to safeguard the nation'—persists through the ongoing efforts of the Young Korean Academy.

Now, away from the statue, let's stroll over to Marronnier Park. It's not huge, more like a cozy little forest with trees big and small. Once you cross the park, you'll spot the ‘Arko Art Center’ with its red brick walls. Right there, you'll find an old chestnut tree, nearly a century old.

The reason this place is called Marronnier Park is due to the chestnut tree here, which wasn't planted by the park but by Seoul National University, which was located here in the past. That's why the surrounding neighborhood was called campus town. When Seoul National University moved in 1975, and the park took its place on the campus grounds, it became known as 'Marronnier Park.' Next to the chestnut tree stands the 'Seoul National University Monument,' indicating that this was the site of Seoul National University.

The main building of Seoul National University still stands in its place, and the 'House of Artist' right next to it.