In Harbin, China, An Jung-geun, a Korean independence activist, carried out a bold assassination of Ito Hirobumi, the Japanese Resident-General of Korea. Ito was a pivotal figure in the establishment of Japanese rule over Korea, having served as Prime Minister of Japan and playing an instrumental role in the annexation of Korea in 1910. An Jung-geun, motivated by a deep sense of nationalism and a commitment to Korean independence, approached Ito as he was leaving a train station and shot him with a pistol.

Following the assassination, An was apprehended by the police and quickly became a symbol of resistance against Japanese colonialism. He stated his actions were intended to awaken the Korean people against Japanese rule and to protest against their oppression. An Jung-geun's trial received significant attention, and he became a celebrated figure among Korean nationalists, who viewed his actions as a selfless sacrifice for the sake of their country's future. As part of his defense, An expressed his intention to unite Korean people in their struggle for independence.

The assassination of Ito Hirobumi also highlighted the tensions in East Asia during this period, as Japan expanded its imperial ambitions. This event served as a catalyst for further dissent within Korea and is remembered as an act of patriotism by many. Although An Jung-geun was executed in 1910, his legacy lived on as a symbol of resistance, and he remains a revered figure in Korean history, particularly in the narratives surrounding the struggle for independence from Japanese rule.