"Long Live Korean Independence" ... Goseong County Holds Baedun Market Independence Movement Event

The 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial Tower Preservation Committee of Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam held the '106th Anniversary of the March 1st Baedun Market Independence Movement Commemoration Event' on the 19th at the Baedun-ri 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial Tower event site in Hwehwa-myeon.

Baedun Market Independence Movement Commemoration Event.

The Baedun Market Independence Movement began in 1919 when Choi Nakjong and Choi Jeongcheol, who had participated in the March 1st Movement in Seoul after attending the funeral of Emperor Gojong, returned to Goseong and secretly gathered figures such as Heo Jaegi and Choi Jeongwon. Together, they prepared for the independence movement.

On March 20, 1919, crowds gathered at Gukcheon Market in Guman-myeon. Choi Jeongwon read the Declaration of Independence, followed by Heo Jaegi, who pledged to uphold the three pledges and shouted "Long Live Korean Independence." They then headed to Baedun Market in Hwehwa-myeon, which was market day. Despite threats from Japanese military police and police officers from the Goseong garrison, they resisted and, upon reaching Baedun Market, joined 700 to 800 people in shouting "Long Live Korean Independence."

The Baedun Market Independence Movement Commemoration Event has been held annually since 2008, marking its 15th anniversary this year.

This year's commemorative ceremony, hosted and organized by the 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial Tower Preservation Committee, was attended by descendants of independence patriots from Goseong-gun, veterans' organizations, institutional and social groups, students, and about 350 residents. They celebrated the 106th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, honoring the achievements and noble spirit of the independence patriots and martyrs.

Afterwards, participants marched together from the Memorial Tower through Baedun Market in Hwehwa-myeon, reenacting the Baedun Market Independence Movement that resonated 106 years ago.

Choi Geunho, president of the 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial Tower Preservation Association, stated, "Not only at Pagoda Park in Seoul 106 years ago, but also here in Goseong and Baedun, our ancestors bravely carried out the independence movement, standing up to the Japanese military. I am deeply honored and proud that our region also took part in the independence movement. I hope that the young students present today will inherit the strong spirit of our ancestors who fought to reclaim our country and put their love for the nation into practice."

Governor Lee Sanggeun said in his congratulatory speech, "The independence movement that began 106 years ago at Gukcheon Market in Guman-myeon and continued here at Baedun Market is a proud history of Goseong that we must remember. Let us work together to create a future of freedom, peace, and prosperity that our descendants can be proud of."