An Jung-geun: A Martyr’s Legacy Forged in Defiance The story of An Jung-geun (1879-1910) is a profoundly tragic and ultimately heroic one, inextricably linked to the struggle for Korean independence. More than just an assassin, he was a complex figure – a devout Catholic, a passionate educator, and a dedicated nationalist who sacrificed his life in a desperate attempt to liberate his homeland from Japanese colonial rule. His act of defiance against Itō Hirobumi, the architect of Korea’s subjugation, resonates powerfully even today, cementing his place as a national martyr and a symbol of Kor…