SEOUL-- President Moon Jae-in expressed condolences over the death of the youngest son of legendary Korean independence fighter Ahn Chang-ho, his office said Wednesday.

Ralph Ahn died on Feb. 26 in Los Angeles at the age of 96.

In a condolence message to the bereaved family, Moon said the junior Ahn fought against Japan as a U.S. navy sailor and established "the roots of compatriot society by organizing a group of descendants of independence activists," Cheong Wa Dae said.

Ahn Chang-ho, whose pen name was Dosan, was one of the first to emigrate to the United States, where he played a role in helping his homeland gain independence. He was one of the founders of Korea's provisional government and was a statesman, educator and freedom fighter all his life until his death in 1938.

Source: Yonhap News Agency