In a dark forest, there are small lights gathering together, lighting up the dark path. In the forest that turned bright, you can see the words and quotes of three independence activists; Ahn Jung-geun, Han Yong-un, and Ahn Chang-ho.
On October 26, 1909, Ahn Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi at the Harbin Station in China. Later, he was arrested and questioned by the Japanese police multiple times. During questioning, Ahn confessed that his act of assassinating the source of evil who not only invaded Korea but also destroyed peace in Asia was a justifiable act, stating that the way to seek peace in Asia was through Korea, China, and Japan’s concord to strive for peace.

Han Yong-un completed the Three Pledges contained in the March 1st Declaration of Independence. Han had to endure imprisonment after attending the independence declaration ceremony as one of the 33 Korean leaders on March 1, 1919. During his imprisonment, he also wrote an article titled “Introduction of impression for the Independence of the Joseon Dynasty.” In the article, which clarified the legitimacy of the independence of Korea, he expressed his belief that the independence movement was an act of freedom and peace that the entire humanity required.

Ahn Chang-ho, again had to endure imprisonment as Imperialist Japan fabricated the so-called “Donguhoe Incident” in order to suppress intellectuals. Despite being imprisoned repetitively, he never compromised or gave up his beliefs; in fact, during his questioning, he strongly stated that the independence of Korea was what the justice of the world wanted.
Can you feel their beliefs on independence, freedom, peace, and justice through the words and quotes above by the three independence activists during their hardships in prison? The resolution and willingness of the independence activists, which never wavered despite Japan’s suppression and imprisonment of the independence movement, are the true meaning of the independence movement as well as the light that brightened the dark world.