Ahn Jung-geun's Calligraphy Sold for 1.3 Billion Won... Purchased by Descendant's Company of Independence Activist

Hanmi Semiconductor, Following Founder’s Legacy, Wins Bid
Calligraphy Written in 1910 at Lushun Prison... Recovered from Japan

Unpublished calligraphy by independence activist Ahn Jung-geun was sold at auction for 1.3 billion KRW.

Ahn Jung-geun, 'Insimjoseokbyeonsansaekgogeumdong', ink on paper, 33.8×137.2cm, March 1910,
[Photo by Seoul Auction]

On the 27th, Seoul Auction announced that Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy work "Inshim Joseok Byeonsan Saek Gogumdong" (人心朝夕變山色古今同) was auctioned at 1.3 billion KRW, starting from 600 million KRW, at an auction held at The Bundershop Cheongdam in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

The calligraphy, which contains the phrase "The human heart changes morning and evening, but the mountain colors remain the same as in the past and present," bears a clear inscription stating it was written in March 1910 at the Lushun (旅順) prison, along with Ahn's hand seal.

The winning bidder of the calligraphy was Hanmi Semiconductor. Hanmi Semiconductor was founded by the late Kwak No-kwon, a descendant of independence activist Kwak Han-so. Kwak No-kwon, who passed away in December last year, had donated records related to Kwak Han-so to the Independence Hall during his lifetime.

Hanmi Semiconductor is known to have purchased Ahn's calligraphy to honor the will of Kwak No-kwon, who emphasized pride and patriotism as a descendant of independence patriots. The calligraphy, previously owned by a Japanese collector, has returned to Korea through this auction.

Currently, 31 pieces of Ahn Jung-geun's calligraphy are registered as national treasures designated by the government. Recently, his works have been sold at high prices in auctions, such as "Yongho Jiung Segi Jak In Myoji Tae," which was sold for 1.95 billion KRW at a Seoul Auction in December last year.

At the same auction, "Seowon Ajipdo" by Yi San Yu Un-hong, who was in Canada, was also sold for 135 million KRW.