President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday expressed his thoughts on the return of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy, citing a post by Rep. Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party of Korea, a leading candidate for Incheon mayor.
"Together with the Korean people, I welcome the return of the calligraphy by Ahn Jung-geun—not a terrorist, but a lieutenant general of the Korean Independence Army," Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Thank you for your hard work and dedication."
He added that "the people's sovereignty government is doing its best to excavate and repatriate Ahn's remains."
"Independence and sovereignty do not come automatically but are achieved and protected through strong will and relentless struggle," Lee said. "We must continuously record and remember those who devoted themselves to reclaiming and defending our nation, and provide them with special compensation and honors."
The president continued: "In a country where three generations suffer for independence activism while three generations prosper from pro-Japanese betrayal, who would willingly step forward for the nation and its people? Now everything must be set right."
Earlier, Rep. Park announced the return of Ahn's calligraphy bearing the phrase "貧而無諂 富而無驕" (Be poor without flattery, be rich without arrogance). Park noted the work, held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, had arrived in Korea after 116 years.
"Japanese author Tokutomi Kenjiro, who opposed Japan's aggression, was moved by the 'universal human conscience and spirit' in Ahn's brushwork and treasured it for life," Park explained.
He credited President Lee's earnest request to Chinese President Xi Jinping for Ahn's remains excavation as "a solid foundation for this calligraphy's return."