{
  "id": 720475,
  "title": "Korean independence activist An's prison handwriting repatriated from Japan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/korean-independence-activist-ans-prison-handwriting-repatriated-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T02:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/koreanheritage/20260813/korean-independence-activist-ans-prison-handwriting-repatriated-from-japan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation have returned to South Korea a prison handwritten note penned by Korean independence activist An Jung-geun, ahead of the anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, cultural heritage authorities announced on Thursday. The commemorative event took place at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, in advance of Liberation Day on August 15.\n\nAn's poignant message, translated as \"International law is no match for a cannon,\" comprises eight Chinese characters. It was inscribed by An in March 1910 at Lushun Prison, located in present-day northeastern China, mere days before his assassination of Ito Hirobumi, the inaugural Japanese governor-general of Korea. An was subsequently executed by Japanese authorities on March 26, 1909, after carrying out the killing.\n\nThe KHS highlighted that An's inscription demonstrates his profound disappointment with the ineffectiveness of international law. He believed his act of assassination was a justified act of war and sought a trial under international law. However, Japan prosecuted him for murder and sentenced him to death. The repatriation of An's note underscores the significance of his sacrifice in the struggle for Korean independence.",
  "summary": "Ink-and-brush writing left by iconic Korean independence activist An Jung-geun in the days before his execution has been repatriated from Japan ahead of the anniversary of Korean liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, cultural heritage authorities said Thursday. The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation unveiled the work to media at Deoksu…",
  "key_points": [
    "Prison handwritten note by Korean independence activist An Jung-geun returned to South Korea.",
    "Note reads \"International law is no match for a cannon,\" eight Chinese characters.",
    "Repatriation ahead of Liberation Day on August 15, commemorating Korea's independence."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The repatriation of An Jung-geun's prison note highlights the ongoing significance of his sacrifice in Korea's struggle for independence and underscores Japan's historical role as colonizer and oppressor.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Korean independence activist An's prison handwriting repatriated from Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/korean-independence-activist-ans-prison-handwriting-repatriated-from-722134",
        "published": "2026-08-13T01:24:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korean independence activist An's prison handwriting repatriated from Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/korean-independence-activist-ans-prison-handwriting-repatriated-from-721324",
        "published": "2026-08-13T02:17:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}