The Signed Document Returns After 94 Years... The Spirit of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement

"The Value of the Independence Movement, to Future Generations"
Artifacts Delivered to the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall
The Roar of 1929 Revived Through a Signature Document

The Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall has received a handwritten signature document from students who participated in the 1929 Gwangju Student Independence Movement, in commemoration of the 106th anniversary of the March 1st Movement.

Commemorative photo holding the handwritten signed document of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement (from left: Director Kim Yongil, Independence Meritorious Person's grandson Choi Youngsang, Choi Aeyoung). Provided by Gwangju Office of Education.

According to the Gwangju Office of Education on the 3rd, the donated signature document was written by students on the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement. It is regarded as a valuable artifact that contains the determination and will of those who took part in the independence movement. This donation was made possible after Choi Youngsang, the grandson of independence activist Kang Seokwon, who led the secret student organization Seongjinhoe and the Reading Club at the time, expressed his intention to donate the artifact.

Choi stated, "I hope the artifact left by my grandfather will convey the value of the independence movement to future generations." Kang Seokwon formed the Student Struggle Headquarters during the first protest at Gwangju Station in 1929 and devoted himself to spreading the national spirit.

The Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Hall plans to carry out participant research, support for young researchers, and artifact collection, starting this year with the 'Artifact Collection and Research Project.'

Kim Yongil, the director, said, "This donation will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the historical significance of the student independence movement and to carry on its spirit," adding, "We will continue to uphold the spirit of the independence movement through various research and programs."