Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Holds '65th Anniversary Ceremony of the March 15 Uprising'

About 600 Attendees Including Veterans, Bereaved Families, and Junior Students

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced on the 14th that it will hold the ‘65th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of the March 15th Movement’ on the morning of the 15th at the National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery in Changwon, Gyeongnam. A total of about 600 people are expected to attend the ceremony, including veterans and bereaved families of the March 15th Movement, key government officials, and junior students from schools that participated in the March 15th Movement.

The March 15th Movement, marking its 65th anniversary this year, was a bloodied democratic movement that first broke out on March 15, 1960, led by citizens and students of Masan City in protest against the fraudulent presidential and vice-presidential elections, and served as the direct catalyst for the April 19 Revolution. The horrific image of martyr Kim Ju-yeol, who appeared on April 11 at Masan Central Pier, was published in various media outlets in Busan, Masan, and

Seoul, spreading nationwide.

Since being designated a national commemorative day in 2010, the March 15th Movement has been elevated to a government ceremony, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has hosted the event annually since 2011. Especially this year, the commemorative days of the February 28 Democracy Movement, March 8 Democratic Uprising, March 15th Movement, and April 19 Revolution will be connected as one journey toward liberal democracy, delivering an integrated message with continuity. Following the February 28 Democracy Movement ceremony themed ‘The First Step Toward Spring’ and the March 8 Democratic Uprising ceremony themed ‘One More Step on the Green Path,’ the message will be delivered under the theme ‘Walking the Path Dyed in Brilliant Spring Sunshine.’

The ceremony will last about 42 minutes, starting with a memorial visit, followed by an opening performance, national ceremony, commemorative performance, commemorative address, dedication performance, and the singing of the March 15th Movement song.

Minister Kang Jeong-ae of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated, “The March 15th Movement was the direct catalyst for the April 19 Revolution that opened the brilliant spring of democracy in the Republic of Korea 65 years ago, and it is a history in which the sovereign people showed remarkable courage and action to establish social justice.” She added, “Through this commemoration, we hope it will be a precious opportunity to remember the students and citizens who took to the streets at that time, inherit their noble spirit, and reflect on the value of patriotism and the meaning of love for the country.”