The 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement has arrived.
Seoul’s autonomous districts such as Gangbuk-gu, Jung-gu, and Songpa-gu will hold commemorative ceremonies to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, which marked liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
Gangbuk-gu to hold March 1st Independence Movement ceremony at Bonghwanggak, the birthplace of the movement, on March 1
Cheongsu Bongjeon ritual, reading of the Declaration of Independence, three cheers for independence... Exhibition of Taegeukgi flags and drawings by 3,100 daycare and kindergarten children... Performances and experience programs at Uidong Meeting Plaza
Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) will hold the ‘March 1st Independence Movement Commemoration Event’ at Bonghwanggak, the birthplace of the independence movement, on March 1 to mark the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement.
Every year on March 1, the district holds this event to widely promote the historical significance of the March 1st Movement, which had a great impact on Korea’s independence movement, and Bonghwanggak, its starting point.
This year’s 21st ‘March 1st Independence Movement Commemoration Event’ will be held under the theme ‘The Cry of That Day.’ It reflects the courage of our ancestors who fought to regain the freedom we now enjoy and symbolizes the cry that resonates once again in the Republic of Korea, where freedom was restored.
The event will begin at 9:40 a.m. with a visit and floral tribute to the tomb of Ui-am Son Byeong-hee, one of the 33 national representatives who led the March 1st Movement. Following this, at 10 a.m. at Bonghwanggak, the ceremony will proceed in the order of ▲Cheongsu Bongjeon (a Cheondogyo ritual offering with clear and pure water) ▲national salute ▲commemorative speech ▲reading of the Declaration of Independence ▲singing of the March 1st Movement song ▲three cheers for independence.
The district will distribute white traditional overcoats and Taegeukgi flags to all participants and display a Taegeukgi tunnel around Bonghwanggak. Additionally, an exhibition of Taegeukgi flags and freedom-themed drawings created by 3,100 children from daycare centers and kindergartens in Gangbuk-gu will be held to foster historical awareness among the younger generation.
After the ceremony, at 11 a.m., various performance programs will continue at Uidong Meeting Plaza. First, a guest performance will take place where Mayor Lee Soon-hee of Gangbuk-gu, Chairman Choi Chi-hyo of the Gangbuk-gu Council, council members, and other dignitaries will plant Taegeukgi flags on a map of the Korean Peninsula marking key sites of the March 1st Movement as they enter.
Following this, a reenactment of the March 1st Independence Movement, a performance by the Gangbuk-gu Children’s Choir, a special performance by musical actress Bae Da-hye, and a gala concert by the musical ‘Hero’ team will be held.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uidong Meeting Plaza, experience programs related to the March 1st Movement will be available, including ▲photo events with independence activist mascot costumes ▲face painting ▲photo booths for four-shot pictures ▲independence activist costume experiences ▲making Taegeukgi-themed goods.
The ‘March 1st Independence Movement Commemoration Event’ is open to everyone, not just residents of Gangbuk-gu. For more details about participation, please contact the Gangbuk-gu Culture and Tourism Division.
Mayor Lee Soon-hee of Gangbuk-gu said, “We have prepared this event in a participatory format so that many residents can learn about the historical significance and spirit of the March 1st Movement,” adding, “I hope many people will join the event and once again hear the cry of that day at Bonghwanggak, the birthplace of the March 1st Movement.”
Jung-gu to hold March 1st Movement ceremony at the March 1st Independence Movement Monument near the National Theater... Three cheers for independence
On Samiljeol (March 1st Movement Day), the sound of three cheers for independence will echo in Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-sung).
To mark the 105th anniversary of Samiljeol, Jung-gu will invite about 100 residents to the March 1st Independence Movement Monument near the National Theater at 9:30 a.m. on March 1 to hold a commemorative ceremony and a visit to memorial facilities.
The highlight of the ceremony will be the relay reading of the Declaration of Independence and the three cheers for independence. Jung-gu students, heads of veterans’ organizations, and Mayor Kim Gil-sung will read the Declaration of Independence, followed by residents holding Taegeukgi flags and shouting three cheers for independence, reviving ‘the passionate cry of that day.’
Afterwards, participants will march together to the statues of martyr Yu Gwan-sun and martyr Lee Jun, as well as the Paris Declaration Monument of the Korean Confucian Independence Movement. A cultural guide will accompany the group to share historical stories related to each figure and location.
The Jangchungdan Park area is rich in historical heritage related to freedom and independence. Jung-gu operates the “Jangchungdan Path of Patriotism” guided tour to widely promote this heritage. The tour route includes Jangchungdan Monument → Paris Declaration Monument of the Korean Confucian Independence Movement → Statue of martyr Lee Jun → Monument of martyr Lee Han-eung → Statue of martyr Yu Gwan-sun → March 1st Independence Movement Monument → Statue of activist Kim Yong-hwan → National Theater.
Mayor Kim Gil-sung of Jung-gu said, “This Samiljeol, the sound of cheers for independence will resonate throughout Jung-gu,” adding, “Let us shout cheers for independence and walk along the footsteps of the independence movement to feel the spirit of our ancestors who sacrificed and devoted themselves to restoring national sovereignty.”
Songpa-gu to raise a giant Taegeukgi flag on March 1st... Seoul’s tallest at 55 meters
On the 105th anniversary of March 1st, at 10 a.m. at Garak Market Intersection, 105 residents including independence patriots specially invited ▲giant Taegeukgi flag raising performance ▲commemorative and congratulatory speeches ▲three cheers for independence ▲resident celebration performances
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it will hold a ‘Giant Taegeukgi Flag Raising Ceremony’ at 10 a.m. on March 1 at Garak Market Intersection (600 Garak-dong) to honor the spirit of the independence movement.
Last year, Garak Market Intersection, redesigned with a Taegeukgi theme, became home to Seoul’s tallest 55-meter giant Taegeukgi flag and over 60 clustered flags, creating a spectacular sight year-round and establishing itself as Seoul’s representative Taegeukgi landmark. This year, a meaningful event commemorating the cries of the independence movement from a hundred years ago will be held at this intersection, a symbol of patriotism.
Under the theme ‘Fiery Shouts, National Aspirations, Fluttering Taegeukgi,’ this commemorative ceremony marks the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement and specially invites 105 residents, including independence patriots and their descendants. The program is solemn and meaningful, featuring ▲raising the giant Taegeukgi flag, a symbol of national spirit ▲congratulatory speeches by independence patriots ▲and three cheers for independence shouted together, honoring the noble sacrifices of the forebears who wished for Korea’s independence.
As a national holiday that announced Korea’s independence to the world, special attractions are also prepared. Starting with the ‘March 1st Movement Song’ by the district’s children’s choir, the ceremony will include a grand flag-raising by the military band and flag bearers, and a Taegeukgi dance performance titled ‘Beautiful Rivers and Mountains’ by students from Hanlim Arts High School, adding significance through participation across generations.
Additionally, throughout last year, the district promoted patriotism by familiarizing residents with the Taegeukgi through various daily campaigns. These included an August 15th choir event with 1,815 participants forming the Taegeukgi, the creation of a ‘Taegeukgi Demonstration Street’ with 3,000 flags across 49 streets, a Taegeukgi flag-raising campaign led by 650 residents in 27 neighborhoods, and distribution of Taegeukgi flags to newlywed couples.
Thanks to these efforts, Songpa-gu was the only local government nationwide to receive the Presidential Citation at the ‘2023 National Symbol Promotion Awards’ hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, recognizing its love for the Taegeukgi both domestically and internationally.
Mayor Seo Gang-seok of Songpa-gu said, “Every year on March 1st, we raise the giant Taegeukgi flag high above Songpa-daero to remember the noble spirit of the patriots who sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence on this land,” adding, “We will continue to respect and honor those who dedicated themselves to the nation and practice servant leadership that treats residents as the true owners.”
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