65th Anniversary Ceremony of the March 8 Democratic Uprising, the Catalyst of the April 19 Revolution, to Be Held at Hanbat University

Reflecting on the Spirit of Democracy
with the Theme "One Step Further on the Blue Road"

The 65th anniversary ceremony of the 3.8 Minju Uigeo, which served as the catalyst for the April 19 Revolution, will be held at 11 a.m. on the 8th at the Art Hall of the National Hanbat University.

According to Daejeon City on the 7th, the ceremony will be held under the theme "One Step Further on the Blue Road," with about 800 participants including key figures of the 3.8 Minju Uigeo and their bereaved families, major government officials, representatives from various sectors, and students.

Prior to the ceremony, a memorial tribute will take place at the 3.8 Minju Uigeo Memorial Tower in Dunjimi Park. Afterwards, participants will move to the National Hanbat University, the successor to Daejeon Technical High School which took part in the movement, for the official ceremony.

The event will begin with a video recalling the memories of a participant in the 3.8 Minju Uigeo, followed by a commemorative performance in the form of a choral drama. Thematic performances featuring interviews with participants and students will help reaffirm the spirit of democracy. In addition, a racing drone video showcasing key sites such as the 3.8 Minju Uigeo Memorial Hall and the main march route will also be screened.

The 3.8 Minju Uigeo was the first democratization movement in the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions, beginning on March 8, 1960, when about 1,000 students from Daejeon High School protested against injustice and corruption. It spread further when about 600 students from Daejeon Commercial High School took to the streets on March 10. The movement served as the spark for the April 19 Revolution and was recognized for its historical significance in advancing democracy, being designated a national memorial day in 2018 and commemorated as a national event since 2019.

Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "The 3.8 Minju Uigeo is an important chapter in history, where the courage of Daejeon students in pursuit of freedom and justice became the foundation for the development of democracy in Korea. I hope this ceremony will be a meaningful occasion to inherit the spirit of March 8 and to reflect on the value of democracy."