A memorial service was held here Wednesday to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the death of Yun Bong Gil, a man considered a hero of independence in South Korea.
About 30 people attended the annual Buddhist remembrance ceremony for Yun, who killed a senior member of the Imperial Japanese Army by throwing a bomb at him during a 1932 event in Shanghai to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Showa.
During the ceremony, Pak Sam Jung, a South Korean priest and human rights activist, paid tribute to Yun, who was executed in Shanghai at the age of 24.
Pak's visit marked the first time someone has traveled from South Korea to take part in the event, which is staged annually by a group of South Korean residents living in Kanazawa.
"Some Japanese say Yun Bong Gil was an assassin," Pak, 60, said, "but I'm pleased I received such a warm welcome."
The participants later visited Kanazawa City Hall and met with Deputy Mayor Tadashi Sakota.