안중근의 전쟁과 평화, 죽임과 죽음 (Ahn Jung-geun: War and Peace, Killing and Dying)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 한국역사연구회
· 수록지 정보 : 역사와 현실 / 75호 / 247 ~ 277페이지
· 저자명 : 도진순

초록

This study focuses on the foundation of Ahn Jung-geun’s inner world and the ultimate extent of his views concerning the Korean independence movement, war and peace in East Asia and the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi and Ahn Jung Guen's death.
Over the past century, Ahn has been highly appraised as a symbol of the independence movement. His relevance today, however, has more to do with his thoughts on peace in East Asia than his contribution to the Korean independence movement. He was based on the principle of universal and inalienable human rights, and was critical of the aggressive policies employed by the upper crust of civilized nations which resulted in the death of countless individuals in weaker nations. This tragic reality is what motivated him to assassinate Ito Hirobumi.
However, there was something more important to Ahn than killing Ito. He wanted the assassination to get people to open their eyes to the importance of peace in East Asia. This peace envisioned by Ahn called for all nations to maintain an amicable and harmonious relationship founded on the independence and sovereignty of Korea and that of other weaker nations. He attached great importance to the emperor as a symbol of national sovereignty. However, the ultimate reach of his views always extended to the people and the international solidarity amongst them.
Ahn was a devout catholic, who naturally adhered to the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” Accordingly, the greatest dilemma in his life was over the fact that his involvement in the independence war would entail the taking of human life. However, after long and thorough reflection, he concluded that his assassination of Ito would be an “act of war” he would carry out as a Korean “general” fighting in the war of independence and that this act would not conflict with his religious beliefs.
The final aspect Ahn Jung-geun agonized over during his lifetime was about how he was going to die. He believed that by dying righteously, he would be able to bring credibility to the cause of peace in East Asia and his reason for killing Ito. That is how he came to be deemed as a victor who passed judgment on Japan's aggressions and not as a defendant of his trial. Moreover, he was surprisingly at peace when he met his death, awing the Japanese officials. His last words were an entreaty to the Japanese asking for peace in East Asia.
Ahn Jung-geun, the assassin, thus turned into a righteous pacifist, impressing and inspiring even the Japanese. Moreover, in the early stages of the international peace movement in East Asia led by the likes of Leo Tolstoy, Ahn Jung-geun’s “Treatise of Peace in East Asia” was significant in that it represented the position not of a warring nation but of a victim nation. The “Treatise of Peace in East Asia” was all the more valuable given that through death, Ahn had validated its integrity. PEACE should be the starting point from which we should remember Ahn in the centennial of his righteous death.

영어초록

This study focuses on the foundation of Ahn Jung-geun’s inner world and the ultimate extent of his views concerning the Korean independence movement, war and peace in East Asia and the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi and Ahn Jung Guen's death.
Over the past century, Ahn has been highly appraised as a symbol of the independence movement. His relevance today, however, has more to do with his thoughts on peace in East Asia than his contribution to the Korean independence movement. He was based on the principle of universal and inalienable human rights, and was critical of the aggressive policies employed by the upper crust of civilized nations which resulted in the death of countless individuals in weaker nations. This tragic reality is what motivated him to assassinate Ito Hirobumi.
However, there was something more important to Ahn than killing Ito. He wanted the assassination to get people to open their eyes to the importance of peace in East Asia. This peace envisioned by Ahn called for all nations to maintain an amicable and harmonious relationship founded on the independence and sovereignty of Korea and that of other weaker nations. He attached great importance to the emperor as a symbol of national sovereignty. However, the ultimate reach of his views always extended to the people and the international solidarity amongst them.
Ahn was a devout catholic, who naturally adhered to the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” Accordingly, the greatest dilemma in his life was over the fact that his involvement in the independence war would entail the taking of human life. However, after long and thorough reflection, he concluded that his assassination of Ito would be an “act of war” he would carry out as a Korean “general” fighting in the war of independence and that this act would not conflict with his religious beliefs.
The final aspect Ahn Jung-geun agonized over during his lifetime was about how he was going to die. He believed that by dying righteously, he would be able to bring credibility to the cause of peace in East Asia and his reason for killing Ito. That is how he came to be deemed as a victor who passed judgment on Japan's aggressions and not as a defendant of his trial. Moreover, he was surprisingly at peace when he met his death, awing the Japanese officials. His last words were an entreaty to the Japanese asking for peace in East Asia.
Ahn Jung-geun, the assassin, thus turned into a righteous pacifist, impressing and inspiring even the Japanese. Moreover, in the early stages of the international peace movement in East Asia led by the likes of Leo Tolstoy, Ahn Jung-geun’s “Treatise of Peace in East Asia” was significant in that it represented the position not of a warring nation but of a victim nation. The “Treatise of Peace in East Asia” was all the more valuable given that through death, Ahn had validated its integrity. PEACE should be the starting point from which we should remember Ahn in the centennial of his righteous death.

참고자료

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