Jeonnam Naju City Holds "Long Live Korean Independence" March 1st Movement Day Ceremony

On the occasion of the March 1st Movement Day, Naju City in Jeollanam-do commemorated the noble patriotism of the ancestors who rose up resolutely for the independence of the homeland 104 years ago today.

On the morning of the 1st at 10 a.m., Naju City announced that it held the 104th March 1st Movement Day commemorative ceremony under the theme "Returned Spring, New Spring" at the outdoor plaza of the Naju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall.

Until now, the March 1st Movement Day commemorative ceremony had been held as a provincial-level event organized by Jeollanam-do.

This year, for the first time, the city independently held the March 1st Movement Day commemorative ceremony at the site of the Naju Station incident, which was the catalyst for the Gwangju Student Independence Movement?one of the three major anti-Japanese independence movements during the Japanese colonial period?to reflect on the spirit of the patriotic people of Naju.

The Gwangju Student Independence Movement, which broke out on November 3, 1929, was triggered by the clash between Korean and Japanese students at Naju Station on October 30.

At that time, independence activist Park Jun-chae, who was a high school student, confronted the incident where his cousin Park Gi-ok was harassed by a Japanese student at Naju Station, leading to a clash between Korean and Japanese students. This incident became the starting point of the student independence movement on November 3.

The city plans to hold its own commemorative ceremony every March 1st, starting with this first ceremony.

About 100 people attended the ceremony, including Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju, Shin Jung-hoon, Member of the National Assembly, Lee Sang-man, Chairperson of the City Council, local provincial and city council members, heads of various organizations, and representatives of social groups.

In particular, the presence of descendants and relatives of local independence patriots, members of the Liberation Association, and heads of nine veterans’ organizations added special significance to the event.

Unlike other commemorative ceremonies, the city specially honored the descendants and relatives of independence patriots by seating them at the very front of the stage to show respect for the patriotism of the ancestors.

The event began with a wreath-laying and tribute at the Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower before the opening ceremony, followed by the national anthem, reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorative speeches, commemorative performances, and a three cheers for independence.

The Declaration of Independence was not simply read but fully recited from memory over 15 minutes by Yoo Kyung-sik, a representative of the Liberation Association and son of independence activist Yoo Han-hwi, captivating the audience’s attention.

This declaration was jointly announced under the names of 33 national representatives during the March 1st Movement in 1919 to proclaim to the world Korea’s (Joseon’s) independence, the just rights of national dignity, and the cause of human equality.

Representative Yoo recited the full text of the declaration and the three pledges, which contained the true meaning and direction of independence envisioned by the patriotic ancestors, and called out the names of the 33 national representatives in a strong voice, drawing admiration from the audience.

Following this, the commemorative performances by the Naju Municipal Gugak Orchestra and the Municipal Arts Troupe elevated the atmosphere by singing “The Country We Want” and the “March 1st Movement Song” together with the audience.

The three cheers for independence echoed fully in the sky over patriotic Naju, stirring deep emotions among all attendees of the ceremony.

Led by Park Hyung-geun, a descendant of independence activist Park Jun-chae, shouting “Long live Korean independence,” participants waved the Taegeukgi flags in their hands, recreating the passionate cries of that day 104 years ago.

Alongside the ceremony, various forms of Taegeukgi flags used during the March 1st Movement were exhibited at booths in the event venue, and experiential activities were held at the Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall.

In his commemorative speech, Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Through the 104th March 1st Movement Day commemorative ceremony, I hope this becomes a historic opportunity to engrave the spirit of the patriotic people of Naju, the starting point of the student independence movement, to honor our local independence patriots and their families, and to inherit and develop the spirit of independence of our ancestors.”

He continued, “Our city will honor the ancestors who devoted themselves to the homeland and carry on their noble will, striving with collective intelligence to restore the value of Naju, the thousand-year-old magistrate town filled with the footsteps and spirit of our nation, and do our best to restore the sovereignty of Naju, the center of Honam.”

Naju = Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yuk-bong bless4ya@asiae.co.kr