# Harbin By [Steve Park](https://paragraph.com/@steve-park-2) · 2023-01-11 --- ![Harbin](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7a2f13122c6f29a1f522d26eb67101a4a42384784a526bfc152e39a4e8acbd1a.jpg) Harbin **Harbin** Author: Hoon Kim Publisher: Munhakdongne Publication Date: August 3, 2022 It was a few years ago that I read the author Kim Hoon's 'Song of the Knife' and 'In the Empty Field'. The style is concise and clear, and there is no superfluity. I get a similar feeling when I read the book by Professor Myeong-ho Kim, who wrote “The Chinese Story.” That is why I want to read his novel once it is published. Of course, the most important thing is that the narrative he wrote fascinates me. In addition, this time, the recommendation of former President Moon Jae-in was added. There is no reason not to read it. Modernity exists to us, but it feels like it is not properly imprinted. It is because our modern times are distorted memories by others. Were we just powerless? Were we passive beings in need of so-called civilization? Find historical facts one by one. In the process, we can find numerous traces of our own efforts to achieve modernization on our own. There is absolutely no need to belittle us as weak beings. However, following the trail is also embarrassing. The imperial family of the Korean Empire was incorporated into the imperial family of the Japanese Empire. In the process, the emperor was helpless. It wasn't long before Emperor Gojong declared the Korean Empire for self-reliant independence and modernization. However, after Ahn Jung-Geun shot Ito Hirobumi in Harbin, the appearance of the imperial family and its ruling class showed that the important thing for them was only their vested interests. They were worried about the adverse effects Ito's death would have on them. Emperor Sunjong was comforted by a telegram from Emperor Meiji. The Cabinet organized a condolence group and went to Japan. Ahn Jung-Geun was referred to as a heinous criminal. Crown Prince Euimin followed the example of his teacher Hirobumi Ito and underwent cloning for three months. Suddenly, did the imperial family of the Korean Empire inevitably become a puppet of Japan? Or did they just give up and try to settle down under the Japanese Empire? Although Japan downgraded Sunjong to King Yi, he retained his royal status within the Japanese Empire. A huge budget was invested every year for the Yiwangga. Until the fall of the Japanese Empire, they were members of it. What is the reason why the Korean Empire could not be revived on this land after liberation? Are they the ones who, from a modern point of view, were unfairly sacrificed by Japanese imperialism? Ahn Jung-Geun is a Catholic, and in the end, Father Willem gave his confession and Eucharist before his execution. However, according to the doctrine, Bishop Mutel said that Ahn Jung-Geun was a criminal who killed people and left the church. He had no historical or national understanding. The cathedral was faithful to the real power of the Japanese Empire. They even reported on people who were involved in the independence movement. Today, however, Bishop Mutel is evaluated as having played a major role in helping Korean Catholicism firmly take root in this land. As I read ‘Harbin’ by Kim Hoon, I thought again of what he wanted to show. History cannot be judged as good or evil. It is necessary to look at the people of that era in three dimensions. Time changes people, and it is difficult to keep your beliefs intact. In the novel, the people who fiercely resisted while losing their country to Japan, and the righteous soldiers, are briefly discussed one by one in the novel. The vested interests abandoned the country for their own benefit, but rather, ordinary people sacrificed themselves for the greater good. The afterglow of the novel was considerable. Think about today's chilly Korea-Japan relations. --- *Originally published on [Steve Park](https://paragraph.com/@steve-park-2/harbin)*