Yeongdeok, the Land of Patriotism and Loyalty, Successfully Hosts the 36th Yeonghae 3·18 Independence Manse Cultural Festival

Establishing a Foundation for a Comprehensive Cultural Festival with Resident and Tourist Participation

Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk, a region known for its patriotic loyalty, grandly held the ‘Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March Culture Festival’ on the 18th, after a four-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with about 2,000 local residents and tourists participating together.

The torchlight procession at the 36th Yeonghae 3.18 Independence Manse Cultural Festival.

The Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March was the largest independence movement in the Gyeongbuk region, where on March 18, 1919 (lunar calendar February 17), during Yeonghae market day, the people from Chuksan, Changsu, and Byeonggok areas cried out for the independence of their homeland. At that time, 8 people died, 16 were injured on the spot, and 196 were tried in court, with 185 sentenced to imprisonment.

Yeongdeok-gun holds the 3·18 Culture Festival annually to honor the participants of the 3·18 Yeonghae Independence March, who elevated the value of national sovereignty restoration and ethnic pride, as well as the noble spirit of the patriotic martyrs who led the movement.

This year marked the 36th event, attended by local dignitaries including County Governor Kim Gwang-yeol, National Assemblyman Kim Hee-guk, Yeongdeok County Council Chairman Son Deok-su, Director Kang Seong-mi of the Gyeongbuk Southern Veterans Affairs Office, Kim Jin-hyun, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, along with local organizations, residents, and tourists.

The event was solemnly and magnificently held from 2 p.m., starting with the cultural festival at the 3·18 Memorial Tower event site in Yeonghae Rotary, continuing through to the torchlight parade at 6 p.m.

In particular, the torchlight parade, which reenacted the scene of the original event, was based on a musical performance and featured participants of various ages, from youth to elders, holding Taegeukgi flags and torches together, highlighting the value of the Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March that united people of all genders, ages, and social classes.

Additionally, this year’s event offered diverse programs with experience booths such as making Taegeukgi flags and torches, writing family mottos expressing love for the country, and Taegeukgi face painting, allowing families to enjoy and reflect on the significance together.

Moreover, a Yutnori (traditional Korean board game) competition, township tug-of-war contests, and free food booths for tourists were provided, expanding opportunities for community harmony and tourist participation, thereby solidifying the foundation as a comprehensive cultural festival.

Kim Jin-duk, chairman of the Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March Memorial Project Association, which organized the event, expressed, “After COVID-19, seeing residents and tourists gather together at the site of the 3·18 Independence March to honor the spirit of patriotism was deeply moving. This year’s Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March Culture Festival will be remembered as an event that advanced to a higher level, making it especially meaningful.”

Governor Kim Gwang-yeol stated, “We must never forget that today’s Republic of Korea, standing tall in the world, was built on the noble spirit and actions of patriotic ancestors who sacrificed themselves to proclaim Korean independence. We plan to further develop the spirit of the Yeonghae 3·18 Independence March so that it becomes a driving force that illuminates the soul and culture of Yeongdeok-gun and Korea.”