1. Ahn Joong-geun (1879-1910).
Ahn Joong-geun, born in Hwanghae Province in the last days of the Yi Dynasty and educated both in the traditional and new studies, is one of the well-known anti-Japan patriots in the recent history of Korea. In revolt against the Japanese aggression of Korea formalized by the conclusion of the 1905 'Protectorate Treaty', he joined the anti-Japanese Righteous Army and fought against the aggression. In October, 1909, Ito Hirobumi, one of the highest-ranking Japanese officials who engineered the aggression of Korea, came to Harbin, Manchuria and gave a public address at a city park. Seizing this opportunity, Ahn infiltrated into the audience and shot him to death, thus giving vent to the deep-felt resentment of the Korean prople.

Throughout the whole painful course of his trials in Japanese courts. he protested. with awe-inspiring dignity, against the international crime of Japan. He was sentenced to death and the sentence was executed on March 26, 1910, in Lu-shun. In 1962. he was awarded posthumously the Order of Merit for National Foundation.