The world’s dominant currency is the U.S. dollar. Who are on the US 100- and 1-dollar bills? They are two of the most respected figures in US history: Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. With their portraits on the bills, they are commemorated every day. Americans respect them with high regard because they were freedom fighters.
Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790)
The man on the US 100-dollar bill! Benjamin Franklin committed his life to attaining American independence from Great Britain. He is the only man who participated in drafting all the major foundational documents: The United States Declaration of Independence, the Treaties of Paris,and the Constitution. During the American War of Independence, he led diplomatic efforts to earn support from European countries, including the signing of the Treaty of Alliance with France. In recognition of his contribution to American Independence, Americans gave him the titles of “The First American” and “Founding Father.” On the front of the 100-dollar bill isthe face of Benjamin Franklin, and the reverse an image of Independence Hall.
George Washington (1732 – 1799)
The man on the US 1-dollar bill! As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington brought victory to Americans during the Revolutionary War. Many soldiers under his command were untrained irregulars. Washington had to fight against the British army, then the world’s leading military force. However, he beat the odds by inspiring the spirit of independence in his countrymen. After winning the war, he participated in drafting the Constitution and became the first president of the United States by a unanimous vote. In recognition of his contribution to American Independence, he is recognized as one of the founding fathers and the most respected presidents.
Both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were freedom fighters! The United States, now a country of great global influence, started with these great men’s commitment to American independence.
You already knew them. Now, we would like to introduce you to our freedom fighters. Korea was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945. Like Franklin and Washington, these Korean men committed their lives to attaining Korean independence from Japan. They are Ahn Chang-ho and Yun Bong-gil.
First, let us introduce you to Ahn Chang-ho.
Ahn Chang-ho (1878 – 1938)
A respected Korean freedom fighter and the first Korean man with a statue in the United States
We would like to share an episode about Ahn Chang-ho. To understand the historical context he was in, you need to know about Ito Hirobumi. Ito played a central role in Japan’s modernization and became Japan’s first Prime Minister. At age 66, he was appointed the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea. He served as prime minister four times and held various leadership positions for 40 years. He led negotiations with major international players, including the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and China. In front of this powerful man stood a 29-year-old Korean man, Ahn Chang-ho. Ahn requested this meeting. Ito asked Ahn to join Japan’s great dream toward the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. He stressed Japan’s success in modernization through the Meiji Restoration and its power to oppose menacing western powers. And he suggested that Korea join hands with Japan for the greater good.
Ito Hirobumi:
I have three lifetime dreams.
First, I want to modernize Japan to compete with western powers.
Second, make Korea do the same.
Third, make China do the same.
Japan alone cannot stop western forces from advancing to East Asia. I want Korea and China to fight with us. For this reason, we are devoting all our efforts to developing Korea. Once we complete our work in Korea, we will go to China to help. Would you be part of my dream?
Ahn Chang-ho:
I agree that the three countries’ cooperation is the first step toward peace in Asia. I am aware of your contribution to Japan’s transformation. And I appreciate your intention to help Korea. However, if you truly want to help us, let us develop our country. What would you have done if Americans came to restore Japan? The Meiji Restoration succeeded because it was led by the Japanese. That is what we want. You should understand why Koreans and Chinese resent Japan. This situation is unfortunate for all of us. Japan fought China and Russia for the sake of Korea’s independence, but it took over Korea’s sovereignty in the end. Invaded, Korea has to seek help from the United States and Russia. Western powers will accept our request because they don’t want Japan’s expansion. Then, Japan will become a global enemy. To stop this from happening, I ask you to join us.
At this meeting, Ito argued that Japan’s rule was for Korea. Ahn resolutely requested that Japan let Koreans take control. Then, the seasoned Japanese leader suggested that Ahn create a youth cabinet and participate in running the government: basically, power and honor in return for his cooperation with Japan. Ahn rejected the offer at once.
“Let Koreans change Korea!”
Ahn stood adamant to his conviction: Korea must be changed by Koreans themselves. Japan must stop interfering. Throughout his life, he lived up to his words. In 1902 when Japan was blatantly exploiting Korea, Ahn immigrated to the United States. He was determined to learn its advanced education system because he believed that education was the key to changing Korea. At age 25, he attended an elementary school in America. He happened to come across Korean immigrants working on sugar cane plantations and citrus orchards. Without a country to protect them, Korean immigrants suffered from numerous abuses and discrimination. Ahn couldn’t turn a blind eye to his fellowmen’s suffering. He quit the school and started picking oranges with the Korean immigrant workers. His first goal was to change Korean immigrant workers’ attitudes and in turn to change American orchard owners’ perception of Korean workers.
There was one lesson he emphasized the most: “Even when you just pick an orange, do it well for your country.”
Workers would ask, “Sir, how does picking an orange have anything to do with our country?”
He answered, “When we do a good job here, we can change how American orchard owners see us and ultimately our country as well.”
In fact, Korean workers were treated unfairly in part because American orchard owners perceived them as less competent than other immigrant workers. Ahn recognized this problem and persuaded Korean immigrant workers to do their best. He explained how the owners’ perception change will lead to a raise and the raise will allow them to have a better life and send money to fund the Korean independence movement. Picking up guns and swords is not the only way to fight for the country. We all can be patriots by doing what we can do, here and now. And he set an example by working diligently and honestly at the orchard. Gradually, Ahn and the Korean immigrant workers gained respect from Americans and support for the Korean independence movement.
Another problem Ahn recognized was the absence of a united Korean network. Korean students, workers, and entrepreneurs lived dispersed across the country, failing to consolidate their power. Korean Americans had no entity to reach out to for support. After recognizing the need for unity, he formed a Korean-American community to protect the rights of Korean immigrants. Through this community, Korean immigrants were finally connected. During harsh times, they helped each other find jobs and other assistance.
His legacy still lives now, 100 years later. In Los Angeles, California, there stands the only U.S. governmental building named after a Korean: Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Station Post Office. In downtown Los Angeles, there is a freeway interchange called Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Interchange. His family house is now home to the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California.
In Riverside, California, there are statues of global heroes, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. You will also find the statue of Ahn Chang-ho. King fought for civil rights, and Gandhi fought for India’s independence from Britain. Ahn fought for Koreans’ rights and Korea’s independence from Japan. The Dosan Ahn Chang Ho statue was erected in 2001 to commemorate his spirit and legacy. Ahn also became the first Asian to be inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia. His legacy continues to contribute to improving Korea’s national image.
Ahn Chang-ho:
I agree that the three countries’ cooperation is the first step toward peace in Asia. I am aware of your contribution to Japan’s transformation. And I appreciate your intention to help Korea. However, if you truly want to help us, let us develop our country. What would you have done if Americans came to restore Japan? The Meiji Restoration succeeded because it was led by the Japanese. That is what we want. You should understand why Koreans and Chinese resent Japan. This situation is unfortunate for all of us. Japan fought China and Russia for the sake of Korea’s independence, but it took over Korea’s sovereignty in the end. Invaded, Korea has to seek help from the United States and Russia. Western powers will accept our request because they don’t want Japan’s expansion. Then, Japan will become a global enemy. To stop this from happening, I ask you to join us.
At this meeting, Ito argued that Japan’s rule was for Korea. Ahn resolutely requested that Japan let Koreans take control. Then, the seasoned Japanese leader suggested that Ahn create a youth cabinet and participate in running the government: basically, power and honor in return for his cooperation with Japan.
Ahn rejected the offer at once.
“Let Koreans change Korea!”
Ahn stood adamant to his conviction: Korea must be changed by Koreans themselves. Japan must stop interfering. Throughout his life, he lived up to his words. In 1902 when Japan was blatantly exploiting Korea, Ahn immigrated to the United States. He was determined to learn its advanced education system because he believed that education was the key to changing Korea. At age 25, he attended an elementary school in America. He happened to come across Korean immigrants working on sugar cane plantations and citrus orchards. Without a country to protect them, Korean immigrants suffered from numerous abuses and discrimination. Ahn couldn’t turn a blind eye to his fellowmen’s suffering. He quit the school and started picking oranges with the Korean immigrant workers. His first goal was to change Korean immigrant workers’ attitudes and in turn to change American orchard owners’ perception of Korean workers.
There was one lesson he emphasized the most: “Even when you just pick an orange, do it well for your country.”
Workers would ask, “Sir, how does picking an orange have anything to do with our country?”
He answered, “When we do a good job here, we can change how American orchard owners see us and ultimately our country as well.”
In fact, Korean workers were treated unfairly in part because American orchard owners perceived them as less competent than other immigrant workers. Ahn recognized this problem and persuaded Korean immigrant workers to do their best. He explained how the owners’ perception change will lead to a raise and the raise will allow them to have a better life and send money to fund the Korean independence movement. Picking up guns and swords is not the only way to fight for the country. We all can be patriots by doing what we can do, here and now. And he set an example by working diligently and honestly at the orchard. Gradually, Ahn and the Korean immigrant workers gained respect from Americans and support for the Korean independence movement.
Another problem Ahn recognized was the absence of a united Korean network. Korean students, workers, and entrepreneurs lived dispersed across the country, failing to consolidate their power. Korean Americans had no entity to reach out to for support. After recognizing the need for unity, he formed a Korean-American community to protect the rights of Korean immigrants. Through this community, Korean immigrants were finally connected. During harsh times, they helped each other find jobs and other assistance.
His legacy still lives now, 100 years later. In Los Angeles, California, there stands the only U.S. governmental building named after a Korean: Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Station Post Office. In downtown Los Angeles, there is a freeway interchange called Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Interchange. His family house is now home to the Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California.
In Riverside, California, there are statues of global heroes, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. You will also find the statue of Ahn Chang-ho. King fought for civil rights, and Gandhi fought for India’s independence from Britain. Ahn fought for Koreans’ rights and Korea’s independence from Japan. The Dosan Ahn Chang Ho statue was erected in 2001 to commemorate his spirit and legacy. Ahn also became the first Asian to be inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia. His legacy continues to contribute to improving Korea’s national image.
Let us introduce you to another Korean hero: Yun Bong-gil. Like Ahn Chang-ho, he also fought for Korea’s independence from Japan.
Yun Bong-gil (1908 – 1932)
At age 25, Yun Bong-gil brought Japanese invaders to justice. Japan’s power and audacity were at their height after winning a victory in the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. On April 29, 1932, Imperial Japan organized a grand victory ceremony at Hongkou Park, today’s Lu Xun Park, in Shanghai. The ceremony was also a celebration of Japanese emperor Hirohito. It began with playing the Japanese national anthem. As the anthem was ending, Yun threw a bomb, disguised as a water bottle, onto the platform where Japanese dignitaries sat. The bombing caused serious damage to the Imperial Japanese Army by killing senior military officials, including General Yoshinori Shirakawa, Commander-in-Chief of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army. This incident made headlines in major international newspapers, such as the New York Times and the Daily Mirror. British media commented that it exposed the falsity of Japan’s claim about Koreans’ support for Japanese rule. Yun’s brave act revealed the truth beyond Japanese propaganda.
Chiang Kai-shek, then the leader of the Republic of China, praised Yun’s heroic deed by saying “A young Korean man accomplished something a million-soldier Chinese army and 400 million Chinese men couldn’t.” Yun’s bravery provided hope for defeating Japanese Imperialism. He represented the dream of Asian people to thwart Japan’s imperialistic ambition.
After this incident, China provided enormous support to the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai. At the Cairo Conference in November of 1943, Chinese nationalist leader Chiang convinced the leaders of the Allies to include a special clause that promised to free Korea. Syngman Rhee, the first Korean president, wrote “Chiang Kai-shek pushed the Allies to free Korea at the Cairo Conference because he was deeply moved by Yun Bong-gil.”
Japan’s Home Ministry recorded Yun’s statement about his deed in Shanghai:
“On present world maps, Korea and Japan are identified in the same color and the world is unaware of Korea. Imprinting Korea in the minds of people around the world won’t go in vain for Korean independence.”
Yun committed his life to recovering his lost country, and his commitment made the world recognize Koreans’ spirit of independence.
Here are his last words to his two sons and the Korean people.
“Everybody with flesh and blood should fight for their country. After fulfilling your duty, visit my empty grave to offer me a glass of alcohol.”
“My fellowmen in my home! Like everyone, I want to live longer. But I found an opportunity worth risking my life. I could have lived only for myself. Instead, I chose to live for the future of my country, beyond myself and my family. Rather than living for 100 years, I chose to die to honor my country. Farewell.”
Yun Bong-gil led by example and his spirit has passed down to Koreans today. We Koreans want to ensure lasting peace in Asia and build a better future for the world. Like you have Benjamin Franklin and George Washington in your heart, we have Ahn Chang-ho and Yun Bong-gil in our heart.
For Koreans, the Japanese occupation period (1910-1945) was a time of pain and shame. Despite the hardship, our freedom fighters fought tenaciously and didn’t give up. Their tenacity defeated imperialism and brought the freedom we enjoy today. We the people create history.
Remember our freedom fighters: American heroes, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington; Korean heroes, Ahn Chang-ho and Yun Bong-gil.
They are the history-makers who changed the world for the better.