An Jung-geun's Glass Plate Photographs Vividly Restored After 116 Years... Capturing the Moments Immediately After the Assassination

National Institute of Korean History Releases High-Resolution Digital Archives
Photos of Comrades Woo Deoksun, Jo Doseon, and Yoo Dongha Also Unveiled

The image of An Jung-geun

A glass plate photograph taken immediately after An Jung-geun assassinated Ito Hirobumi has been vividly restored after 116 years.

The National Institute of Korean History announced on the 23rd that it will release high-resolution digital versions of glass plate photographs of An Jung-geun and his comrades, which were taken by Russian and Japanese authorities immediately after the Harbin Incident on October 26, 1909.

The glass plate photographs were reproduced from the original images by the Japanese Government-General of Korea. These plates offered higher resolution and greater durability than standard film, and were used to preserve important records until the 1940s. Although these materials were printed in publications such as "History of the Korean Independence Movement: Materials" in the 1970s, their low image quality meant they were not widely known.

The image of An Jung-geun

There are three photographs of An Jung-geun. One was taken in the investigation room of the Russian Eastern Chinese Railway Military Police Bureau between 9:30 a.m. and 10:10 p.m. on October 26, immediately after his arrest by Russian authorities. In the photograph, An Jung-geun stands confidently, unbound.

The remaining two were taken on the morning of October 27 at the Japanese Consulate General in Harbin. After custody was transferred from Russia to Japan, An Jung-geun appears with his hands bound, his expression noticeably tense.

The Japanese authorities sent these photographs to the Residency-General on November 9 and made copies to assist in capturing An Jung-geun's comrades. On November 12, 1909, Daehan Maeil Shinbo published an article titled "Photographs Arrive," describing An Jung-geun's appearance and reporting, "They are kept at police stations across the country and used to investigate those involved."

From the left: Woo Deoksun, Jo Doseon, Yoo Dongha

The newly released materials also include images of An Jung-geun's comrades. These include Woo Deoksun and Jo Doseon, who attempted to assassinate Ito at Chaijiaogou Station, and Yoo Dongha, who was responsible for communication in Harbin.

They were arrested by Russian authorities and handed over to the Japanese side on October 31. The photographs are believed to have been taken in front of the Japanese Consulate General. Images also include Tak Gonggyu, a teacher at Dongheung School established by Koreans in Harbin, and Lee Jinok, who was recorded as a "spy" by Japanese authorities.

The National Institute of Korean History has also released annotations for each photograph, providing information on the time, location, and people involved, as well as corrections to previous historical misunderstandings or errors.

From the left, Tak Gonggyu, Lee Jinok

Heo Donghyeon, Director of the National Institute of Korean History, said, "We hope this will be an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of An Jung-geun and his comrades, and to remember the lesser-known independence activists."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.