Dosan was born in Korea in 1878. He is one of Korea's most respected patriotic figures. He is also a historical figure in America. He died on March 10, 1938 after being imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese. He was persecuted for his patriotism and complete love of his country and his people.
Dosan traveled more than most Independence Movement leaders. He may have been the first Korean to go around the world making the first leg of this journey to America in 1902. He completed the circumnavigation when he crossed Asia, Russia and Europe arriving in New York in 1911 and reached the West Coast reaching Riverside, California a few weeks later.
From the time Dosan was a teenager he set out to reform the Korean nation. He studied Western Education and became a great leader and educator with a keen vision of modernization. He fought for democracy and independence for Korean people trying to save them from being obliterated by the Japanese imperialist who annexed Korea in 1910. His legacy leaves a clear lesson for any person anywhere to improve their character and broaden their spirit. People can discover lessons about life once they learn and understand his experiences. He died at the age of 60 after leading an extremely meaningful and honorable life. Many scholars believe there would be no division of North and South Korea if he would have lived beyond Korea's liberation in 1945.
It's an irony Dosan Ahn Chang Ho's story is not completely taught nor is the extent of his work recognized for his full impact on history. Most people who use Dosan's name say they know his teachings. If you examine what these people say and what they do it is obvious they are not being straight forward. Many people have been opportunists and used Dosan for their own personal gain instead of comprehending Dosan's real ideals and teaching them earnestly. Someday Dosan and his life story will be understood on a global basis and his legacy will be more beneficial to people of all nations and all walks of life.
Dosan: The Man and His Thought By Ahn Pyong-Uk
Any nation has a historic task to resolve. A great man clearly recognizes what the task is, shows the method of settling it, and displays to the people his courage and confidence that they can solve it. A national leader is one who exemplifies the national vision, and teaches a method of national dedication to it. Ahn Chang-Ho (Dosan by penname), whom this writer is going to explain, was one of Korea's most eminent national leaders. Full Story...
1937 Dosan's Sodaemun Prison Picture
Dosan’s Last Days told by Chong Hui Chon, M.D.
On December 24, 1937, when I was a resident in internal medicine, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, our national and spiritual leader, was admitted to the hospital. He suffered from tuberculosis, a common ailment in Korea at the time, compounded by Plevritis and peritonitis. I recall him being short of breath and suffering from pain.
Dosan was admitted to Room 13 on the ground floor, which was the only room available to Koreans. Dr. Yong Pil Kim, our senior physician from the clinic, and Dr. Wan Kuk Yook, who later became a national assemblyman, were the attending physicians. There was a Japanese detective sitting outside of Dosan's room checking on everyone entering the room. Occasionally, one or two persons were nursing Dosan, but the room More...
1938 Dosan's Last Picture
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Do not recognize anyone as a leader based on vanity... Examine his qualities not by rumors that go around but by looking into his history and actions. »Dosan
