The Shout of That Day in 1919 "Manse" Resounds Again in Naju

Naju-si Holds the 105th Anniversary Ceremony of the March 1st Movement

The patriotic citizens of Naju commemorated the cries that echoed across the nation on March 1, 1919, and honored the noble spirit of the patriotic martyrs.

According to Naju City (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) on the 1st, the ‘105th Anniversary March 1st Movement Commemoration Ceremony’ was held in the morning at the Naju Citizens' Hall Grand Auditorium.

Originally scheduled to be held at the outdoor plaza of the Naju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall, the venue was changed due to rain the previous day. Various forms of the Taegeukgi flags used during the March 1st Movement were displayed at the entrance of the Citizens' Hall, attracting attention.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of the national anthem, reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorative speeches, congratulatory speeches, commemorative performances, and the three cheers for independence.

About 300 citizens attended, including descendants of independence activist Hasan Kim Cheol from Naju, families and descendants of local independence patriots, liberation association members, and heads of nine veterans' organizations branches. The seats for the families and descendants were arranged in the front row of the stage to show special respect.

The Declaration of Independence was read by 33 members of the Naju City Boys and Girls Choir as representatives. This symbolized the joint declaration of independence made by 33 national representatives during the March 1st Movement in 1919, expressing the will for independence to the world.

The Naju City Choir and attendees sang the March 1st Movement song together, and students from the Department of Performing Dance at Dongshin University performed a dance embodying the meaning of the March 1st Movement, reflecting on the significance of the independence movement and the noble spirit of the patriots.

The three cheers for independence, recreating the cries of that day longing for independence, were led by Kim Kyung-mi, a descendant of Hasan Kim Cheol, Ha Dal-soo, a local reserve army captain, and Kim Do-hyun, a student of Naju High School.

Descendants and families of independence patriots, along with citizens, stood up waving Taegeukgi flags and shouted “Long live Korean independence!”

The ceremony concluded with a choral performance of ‘My Country, Korea’ by the Boys and Girls Choir who had read the Declaration of Independence.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju said, “The benevolence of the patriots who sacrificed themselves for the country and nation at every critical moment in history is the spirit and root of patriotic Naju,” adding, “I hope this ceremony serves as an opportunity to reflect on the spirit of patriotic Naju citizens, to inherit and develop the noble will of the patriots, and to honor their families and descendants.”

He continued, “Before the March 1st Movement ceremony, the historic achievements such as the permanent opening of the summit of Geumseongsan Mountain after 57 years and the designation of the education development special zone are precious results filled with the firm will and wishes of the citizens,” emphasizing, “Just as the patriots united during the anti-Japanese militia and independence movement, I ask for the active interest and cooperation of all citizens for a bigger and newer Naju.”

Meanwhile, Naju City has been independently holding the March 1st Movement commemoration ceremony since last year, which was previously conducted as an event organized by Jeollanam-do Province, to inherit and develop the spirit of patriotic Naju citizens.

In particular, since last year, the city has increased the veterans’ benefits (100,000 KRW) and honorary allowances for war veterans (130,000 KRW), and is providing special care including spouse survivor allowances (50,000 KRW), consolation money (300,000 KRW), and support for medicine and medical expenses (500,000 KRW) for use at local hospitals and pharmacies.

Additionally, this year, the city plans to actively promote the construction of a monument honoring independence activist Hasan Kim Cheol and his brother militia leaders Kim Jun and Kim Yul, creating a memorial space for independence patriots from Naju.

Naju = Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong yjm3070@asiae.co.kr