Celebrations marking the centennial of the dispatch of Korea's Joseon era delegates to the Hague Peace Conference have kicked off in the Netherlands.

The celebrations commemorate the efforts of Yi Jun, Yi Sang-seol and Yi Wi-jong, who were sent by Joseon Emperor Gojong to the Hague Peace Conference that opened on June 25th, 1907. Outside the conference venue, the three envoys took a stand against Japan's colonial invasion of the Korean Peninsula, drawing the interest of the Western press.

But the three were unsuccessful in persuading conference attendees to hear their cause, which many blame for the death of the envoy Yi Jun on July 14th. The Hague has designated that day as "Yi Jun Peace Day" in memory of a patriot who died while fighting for Korean independence.

Various academic, celebratory and cultural events will continue for three days until Sunday.