Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (안창호 November 9,1878 - March 10,1938) was a Korean independence activist and one of the early leaders of the Korean immigrant community in the United States. He established the Young Korean Association (흥사단; 興士團) and was a key member in the founding of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. He is commonly referred to as Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (도산 안창호; 島山 安昌浩). Dosan, meaning mountain island, was his pen name.
Many consider Ahn Chang-ho to be one of the key moral and philosophical leaders of Korea during the 20th century. In the turmoil immediately before and during the Japanese Occupation of Korea, he called for the moral and spiritual renewal of the Korean people through education as one of the important components in their struggle for independence.
In 1938, Dosan was arrested by Japanese authorities. Due to severe illness, he was released on bail and transferred to the Kyungsung University hospital where passed away on March 10, 1938. A memorial park and hall were built to honor him in Seoul.
Dosan Ahn Chang-ho is the father of Hollywood actor Philip Ahn.
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