South Korea Launches Public-Private Group to Recover Remains of Ahn Jung-geun

The South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced the formation of a public-private cooperation group dedicated to the excavation of the remains of Ahn Jung-geun, a Korean independence activist, on March 17, 2026. The initiative aims to bring the remains of Ahn Jung-geun back to South Korea, fulfilling a long-held desire of the Korean people.

Collaboration for Remains Excavation

The ‘Public-Private Cooperation Group for the Excavation of the Remains of Dr. An Jung-geun’ was launched at the Seoul Regional Veterans Affairs Office. The group comprises 23 members, including experts from academia, organizations, National Assembly officials, government representatives and members of Ahn Jung-geun’s bereaved family. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification will also participate to facilitate diplomatic cooperation with China and Japan, and potential agreements with North Korea Yonhap News Agency.

Government Support and International Cooperation

Vice Minister Kang Yun-jin of Veterans Affairs will lead the cooperation group. The group will also include advisory participation from members of the National Assembly involved in efforts to repatriate Ahn Jung-geun’s remains. The launch follows a request made by President Lee Jae-myung to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit and a visit to China commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Provisional Government Complex in Shanghai, where he requested continued cooperation in the exhumation process Yonhap News Agency.

Minister Kwon Oh-eul’s Statement

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul expressed hope that the cooperative group will advance the project to excavate Ahn Jung-geun’s remains, stating the government will do its best to facilitate the return of the independence hero to his homeland Yonhap News Agency.

Memorial Service for Ahn Jung-geun

The Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Association will hold a memorial service commemorating the 116th anniversary of Ahn Jung-geun’s death on March 21st at Hyochangwon (Hyochang Park) in Seoul. The service was scheduled for a weekend due to the anniversary falling on a weekday.

About Ahn Jung-geun

Ahn Jung-geun was a Korean independence activist who assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, in 1909. He opposed the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905, which led to the Japanese protectorate over Korea and its eventual annexation in 1910.