Jeonnam Province Holds 102nd Anniversary '3·1 Movement Day Commemoration Ceremony'

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 1st that it held the ‘102nd Anniversary March 1st Movement Commemoration Ceremony’ at the Suncheon Nagan March 1st Independence Movement Memorial Tower to honor the patriotic martyrs.

The commemorative event was held in compliance with COVID-19 quarantine rules, with about 100 attendees including Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok, families of patriotic martyrs, liberation association members, and heads of institutions and organizations.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of a report on the March 1st Movement, reading of the Declaration of Independence, commendation of meritorious persons, commemorative speeches, singing of the March 1st Movement song, and three cheers for independence.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence was performed together by the families of patriotic independence activists who resisted Japanese colonial rule for Korea’s independence in the past, the CEO of Samwoo Eco Co., Ltd., which succeeded in domestic production of materials, parts, and equipment, and members of the VANK club at Jeonnam Foreign Language High School who promoted Korea abroad via the internet.

These individuals, who are raising Korea’s status in their respective fields, drew great response from the attendees.

In particular, presidential commendations were awarded posthumously to the late Lee Jeong-oh, Moon Hong-sik, Oh Mal-soo, and Park Ki-soon, who endured imprisonment while fighting against Japanese colonial rule through student movements and secret organizations, and governor’s commendations were given to liberation association members Shin Cheon-woo and Park Ok-im, adding significance to the event.

Governor Kim said, “I hope this March 1st Movement commemoration ceremony becomes a powerful pledge to realize ‘A New Jeonnam, A Happier Leading Jeonnam’ by following the noble spirit of our proud independence martyrs,” and added, “We will work harder on honoring and supporting independence patriots and their families so that they can live with pride.”

Meanwhile, Suncheon Nagan, where the ceremony was held, is a sacred site of the independence movement where a large-scale independence rally against Japanese atrocities took place 102 years ago. In 1998, Suncheon City built the Nagan March 1st Independence Movement Memorial Tower to commemorate the spirit of 27 patriotic activists who were arrested by the Japanese police during the independence movement.