The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen honors Yi Jun’s memory in Seoul
The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen on Sunday visited the grave of Korean independence movement figure Yi Jun in Seoul and honored his memory. The visit took place in the Suyu-dong area in the north of the South Korean capital ahead of the 120th anniversary of the activist’s death, which will fall in 2027. Vice Minister of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Yoon-jin also took part in the event, The Korea Herald reports.
Mission to The Hague
Yi Jun was one of three Korean envoys sent to The Hague in 1907 to protest the 1905 Eulsa Treaty. Under Japanese rule, the treaty deprived Korea of diplomatic sovereignty.
The envoys attempted to take part in the Hague Peace Conference as representatives of Korea, but they were not admitted. They subsequently met with foreign delegates and journalists outside the conference venue to speak about Japan’s actions and present Korea’s position.
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Memory of the activist
Yi Jun died in The Hague during this mission at the age of 47. The mission of the Korean envoys angered Japan, which forced Emperor Gojong to abdicate in the same year.
According to the publication, van Zanen’s visit was intended to honor Yi Jun’s legacy and reaffirm the historical ties and shared commitment to peace of South Korea and the Netherlands.
