The Hague mayor honors Yi Jun at his tomb in Seoul

Jan van Zanen, mayor of The Hague, Netherlands, paid tribute Sunday to Yi Jun, a Korean independence activist who traveled to the Dutch city in 1907 to defend Korea’s sovereignty before the international community and died there.

Van Zanen visited Yi’s tomb in Suyu-dong, northern Seoul, ahead of the 120th anniversary of the activist's death in 2027. Kang Yunjin, vice minister of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, also attended.

Yi was one of three Korean envoys dispatched to The Hague to protest the 1905 Eulsa Treaty, which stripped Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty under Japanese rule.

The envoys sought to attend The Hague Peace Conference as representatives of Korea, but were barred. They instead met with foreign delegates and journalists outside the conference venue to publicize Japan’s actions and make Korea's case. Yi Jun died during this mission at the age of 47.

The envoys' mission to The Hague enraged Japan, which forced Emperor Gojong to abdicate later that year.

Van Zanen’s visit was intended to honor Yi’s legacy and reaffirm the historical ties and shared commitment to peace between South Korea and the Netherlands.