Namyangju Mayor Joo Kwangdeok: "The Spirit of the March 1st Movement Is a Compass Pointing Toward the Future"

Namyangju City Reenacts the "Cries of Wolsan-ri" from 107 Years Ago
March 1st Independence Movement Commemoration Successfully Held
Torchlight Parade Honors and Continues the Noble Spirit of the Independence Activists

Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 27th that the March 1st Independence Movement commemoration event, hosted by the Namyangju Cultural Center at Wolsan Church in Hwado-eup, concluded successfully.

Joo Kwangduk, Mayor of Namyangju City, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the March 1st Independence Movement Commemoration event hosted by the Namyangju Cultural Center held at Wolsan Church in Hwado-eup on the 27th. Provided by Namyangju City

This event was organized to reflect on the historical significance of the independence movement that took place in the Namyangju area and to carry on the spirit of local independence activism.

More than 300 people attended the event, including Namyangju Mayor Joo Kwangdeok, Namyangju City Council Chairman Cho Seongdae, the head of the Namyangju Cultural Center, the chief of the Northern Gyeonggi Veterans Affairs Office, the head of the Namyangju branch of the Liberation Association, provincial and city councilors, descendants of independence activists, and local citizens, all reaffirming the spirit of independence.

The event was held in three parts. The first part featured a commemorative ceremony and memorial service, beginning with a pre-ceremony performance by the municipal choir, followed by the memorial service, a congratulatory speech by Mayor Joo Kwangdeok, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

A "Torchlight Parade" is being held from Wolsan Church to Maseok Station Plaza. Provided by Namyangju City

In the second part, a 'Torchlight Parade' was held from Wolsan Church to Maseok Station Plaza. Citizens, guided by a traditional percussion troupe and military units, carried torches themselves as they marched, reenacting the tense atmosphere of the March 1st Movement in 1919. Finally, in the third part, all participants gathered at Maseok Station Plaza to sing the Samiljeol (March 1st) song and shout the traditional three cheers for independence, marking the highlight of the event.

Mayor Joo Kwangdeok said, "The spirit of the March 1st Movement is not confined to the past but serves as a compass of history, guiding us toward the right path today. Just as our ancestors chose solidarity over conflict, I urge Namyangju City to move forward unwaveringly toward a future where every citizen enjoys a life of dignity."

Joo Gwangdeok, Mayor of Namyangju, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the March 1st Independence Movement celebration event hosted by the Namyangju Cultural Center at Wolsan Church in Hwado-eup on the 27th. Provided by Namyangju City

The Namyangju March 1st Independence Movement commemoration event has been held annually since 1989 to honor the historical significance of the independence movement that took place in the Wolsan-ri area of Hwado-eup and to continue the local spirit of independence activism. Centered around Wolsan Church, a key site of the movement, citizens gather to remember the sacrifices of their forebears and to share in the historical value of the region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.