Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam will hold reenactment events on the 23rd to commemorate the local resistance against Japanese colonial rule 104 years ago, including the ▲3·23 Changwon Eupmin Independence March ▲4·3 Samjin United Uprising ▲4·3 Ungdong Independence March.
The ‘3·23 Changwon Eupmin Independence March’ was a large-scale protest that took place twice on March 23 and April 2, 1919, where about 6,000 people gathered at the marketplace to carry out the independence movement.
On the 23rd at 3 p.m., the 3·23 Changwon Eupmin Independence March will be held at Bukdong Market and Dureok Park in Uichang-dong, Uichang-gu, organized by the Gyeongnam Citizens’ Cultural Network. About 100 students and citizens will participate in a commemorative ceremony, reading of the Declaration of Independence, three cheers for independence, and a Taegukgi parade.
The ‘4·3 Samjin United Uprising’ involved about 5,000 residents from three areas?Jinjeon-myeon, Jinbuk-myeon, and Jindong-myeon in Masanhappo-gu?who united to carry out a march with a large Taegukgi flag. During the Japanese military’s violent suppression, eight people died at Sadonggyo, and 22 were injured.
On April 3 at 10 a.m., the reenactment of the 4·3 Independence March Samjin United Uprising will take place at the Paluisa Memorial Tower (located in Jinbuk-myeon, Masanhappo-gu). About 150 local residents and students will participate, shouting three cheers for independence, holding a Taegukgi parade, and paying respects.
The Ungdong ‘4·3 Independence March’ was led by teachers from Gyegwang School (the predecessor of Ungdong Middle School) in Macheon-dong, who instilled national consciousness in students and formed a protest group with 3,000 Ungdong residents to carry out the ‘Great Korean Independence March.’ To reenact this event, on April 3 at 10 a.m., Ungdong Middle School will organize a reenactment at the origin sites such as Ungdong Sosagyo, with about 400 teachers, students, and local residents participating.
The independence march reenactment events, where citizens and students directly reenact the independence movement, are expected to be meaningful occasions that foster historical awareness and patriotism among the younger generation.
Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “The reenactment events held at each local origin site will serve as educational opportunities to reexamine the historical significance of our region’s proud anti-Japanese independence movement and to pass on the spirit of patriotism and national pride to the youth. We ask for the active interest and participation of all citizens.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
