안중근 의거에 대한 미주 한인의 인식

Korean- American‘s Response towards the Assassination of Ito Hirobumi by An Jung-Geun ―based on the Korean National Association s Bulletin titled Shinhanminbo

An Jung-geun’s assassination of Ito Hirobumi in Harbin in 1909 sent a huge ripple throughout the international society, as well as among Korean-Americans. In America, various independence movement groups were incorporated into the Gukminhoe which stands for the National Citizens’ Assembly. The organization had a bulletin titled ≪The New Korea≫ which accurately inform the public of An’s assassination of Ito. At the time, those who believed in social revolution thought the Residency Government of Japan in Korea gave protection to Joseon (old name of Korea), and was significantly contributing to the modernization of Joseon. They titivated that the Residency Government of Japan in Korea was a protectorate of Korea, and believed Ito Hirobumi was the benefactor for the enlightenment of Korea. In contrast, ≪The New Korea≫ believed there was no big difference between Japan and Joseon in terms of the degree of civilization, and that Joseon could achieve civilization on its own. The attitude of opposition to Japanese colonization was evident in the bulletin and An’s assassination of Ito in this context was viewed an expression of confidence as to the destiny of Joseon. ≪The New Korea≫ viewed An’s Revolution as a turning point, and that all Korean people should revolt for the independence of Korea. ≪The New Korea≫ reported details on armed struggles of the ’righteous army’ and the uprising of the people. On reflection, An’s Revolution failed because this hot-blooded struggle was without the proper support and readiness of the public. In the sense, that one martyr, or one man of fervid loyalty, can not bring success to an independence movement, ≪The New Korea≫’s viewpoint that only with the participation of all the people of Korea can there be restored sovereign rights to Korea, was correct. ≪The New Korea≫’s plan was to establish a people’s nation when Korea regained its sovereignty from Japan. ≪The New Korea≫ believed that even Emperor Gojong (the 26th king of Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of the Empire of Great Han) could be used as an initial explosive for people’s resistance against Japanese colonial rules, because it believed in the republican system of government and people sovereignty (the sovereignty rest with the people) in place of a monarchy. Such hope of ≪The New Korea≫ was materialized by the March First Independence Movement which took place during the mourning ceremonies of Emperor Gojong and the establishment of the provisionary government in Shanghai.