Ahn Jung-geun's footsteps at Lushun Prison fade with removal of Korean labels

Dalian, China - The somber atmosphere at Lushun Prison's replica of a gallows, where Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun is believed to have been executed, has grown increasingly muted. Once adorned with Korean labels and bilingual exhibits, the prison's historical displays have recently undergone a noticeable shift. Ahn, revered for his role in challenging Japan's colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945, was executed in 1910 for assassinating Japan's first resident-general in Korea, Ito Hirobumi, in Harbin.

His remains are thought to rest near Lushun Prison. The prison, a state-run facility, now lacks Korean-language labels on most exhibitions, except for a select few. South Korean guides, who previously provided commentary to overseas visitors, are now barred from offering tours due to a new Chinese law on ethnic unity. This legislation aims to foster a sense of community among China's 55 ethnic minority groups and restrict narratives perceived as undermining national unity or interests.

Experts suggest that the new law may have influenced the museum's policy, as it seeks to shape China's historical narrative according to its own terms, potentially sidelining aspects that challenge its dominant sinocentric perspective.