Recently, the memoir of Japanese diplomat Ono Moriye, which was publicly revealed for the first time in Korea, is going up for auction. This memoir vividly details the interrogation of Ahn Jung-geun, who was transported to the Japanese consulate in Harbin after his act on October 26, 1909. According to the memoir, when asked about his motive for assassinating Ito Hirobumi, Ahn replied, "Because he is a traitor who ruined Korea." Regarding the reason for cutting off his left ring finger, he stated, "I was originally a mountain hunter in northern Korea, and I accidentally cut my finger while cooking a rabbit at that time." He provided false answers to protect his comrades. Ahn's human side is also revealed when he briefly says "thank you" after receiving a cigarette from Ono.

Ono's 14-page memoir, along with seven photographs related to Ahn Jung-geun and the Harbin incident and eight glass plates, will be auctioned as "Materials Related to Ahn Jung-geun" (estimated price available upon inquiry) at the '181st Art Auction' hosted by Seoul Auction at 4 PM on the 17th at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. A poem written by Kim Gu, known as Baekbeom, in 1946 with brush and ink, titled 'Shigo' (6 million to 20 million KRW) will also find a new owner. A total of 137 items will be auctioned, with a low estimated total of about 7 billion KRW. The exhibition preview will be held at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center from the 7th, and anyone can view it for free until the auction day on the 17th.

The materials related to Ahn are said to have been recently discovered by a private collector in Korea from documents that were in Japan. This is the same material that was introduced for the first time in Korea by the National Museum of Korean History last month.

Major materials of Korean literature will also find new owners. The handwritten manuscript of the fifth part of Park Kyung-ri's epic novel 'Land' (48 volumes, estimated price available upon inquiry) will be publicly revealed for the first time in the art market through this auction. The manuscript, which was completed over a long period of 25 years, provides insight into the author's feelings as they corrected typos and refined expressions. The first edition of Kim So-wol's 'Azaleas' from 1925, registered as National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 470-4 (180 million to 400 million KRW), will also be available.

[Reporter: Song Kyung-eun]