Nonviolent resistance against Japanese occupation. First nationwide independence movement in a colony after WWI. Japan ruled Korea by force. Under Japanese rule, Koreans were brutally suppressed by the Japanese.

It was a time when there was no high-speed train or internet to connect the nation. However, about two million, a tenth of the Korean population, took to the streets to demand national independence.

Brutal suppression caused 70,418 casualties, among which 7,509 died and 15,961 were wounded. Officially, 46,948 were arrested and tortured.

The March 1^st Independence Movement was a nationwide demonstration against Japan.

What do you know abut this movement?

On February 27, 1919, Bosung Printing Shop in Jongno, Seoul, secretly printed 21,000 copies of an important document. On March 1, 1919, this document was publicly read. At Tapgol Park, Koreans read this document aloud and cheered for Korea’s independence.

We hereby declare that Korea is an independent state and the Koreans are a self-governing people. We solemnly proclaim our independence to all the nations, in accordance with the equality of all men; we also proclaim it to all the coming generations to preserve the fundamental right of self-determination …

Each one of twenty million people have sharpened swords in their hearts, the universal values and conscience serve us as the army of justice, and moral laws become part of our ammunition. If we are determined, what enemies can stand between us and our independence?”

– From the March 1^stKorean Declaration of Independence

This declaration with its English translation was spread to the world. Major international news media, including the New York Times (USA), Entente (France), and the Morning Post (UK), reported this news to the world.

“The March 1st Independence Movement was a revolution without weapons. It was a challenge to achieve the impossible. It was also a pure student movement. They opened a new era in the history of revolutions.”

– From Xin Chao (New Tide), a Peking University magazine, April 1, 1919

What message was so important that made Koreans risk their lives? Korea had maintained its independence for five thousand years. Due to Imperial Japan, Korea lost its sovereignty for the first time in its history. Japan exploited Korea’s human and material resources. It also attempted to destroy Korean national identity by damaging our language and culture. To justify its colonial rule, Japan promoted false information that Koreans liked Japanese rule.

“Koreans have welcomed Japanese rule.”

“The Korean people are ignorant and unable to run their country on their own.”

“Korean freedom fighters are a minority.”

Japan’s propaganda framed Koreans as inferior and Japanese rule as justifiable. The March 1^st Independence Movement exposed this falsity to the world.

The world finally learned of Koreans’ strong will for independence.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)

India’s nationalist leader and the first Prime Minister of India. Nehru was imprisoned due to his activities for India’s independence from Great Britain. From a prison, he wrote a letter to his daughter.

“The people of Korea, young men and women, struggled gallantly against tremendous odds. You will be interested to know that young Korean girls, many of them fresh from college, played a prominent part in the struggle.”
– From Glimpse of World History

Despite Japan’s brutal repression, people across the country rose up to demand independence. This movement gave a glimpse of hope to many Asians who were suffering from imperialism.

What do you know about the March 1^st Independence Movement?

The Korean Constitution begins with mentioning this movement.

“We, the people of Korea, … uphold the cause of the Korean Provisional Government born of the March First Independence Movement of 1919.”

Why does the Korean Constitution give such importance to this movement? Men and women of all ages and classes demanded national independence together. This movement led to the establishment of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai. The founders of the provisional government had a vision for their new government. Our new government won’t be governed by a king or an emperor. It should be governed by the people.

The March 1st Independence Movement laid the foundation for a democratic government. Eventually, the Korean people achieved this dream.

What does the March 1st Independence Movement mean to you?

Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941)

Indian poet and essayist. First Asian Nobel laureate in literature. Writer representing modern Indian literature. Tagore was born in India under British rule. During his visit to Japan in 1916, he warned Japan about its imperial ambition. The pain Japan inflicts on other nations will return to them. The seeds of animosity will spread and growto a wall of hostility against Japan. Tagore visited Japan in 1929 for the third time. A reporter of the Korean newspaper Donga Daily asked him to visit Korea. He couldn’t accept his invitation. Instead, he gave a poem titled

“The Lamp of the East.”

In the golden age of Asia

Korea was one of its lamp-bearers

And that lamp is waiting

to be lighted once again

For the illumination

in the East.

The March 1^st Independence Movement was Koreans’ outcry against Japanese imperialism. This movement gave hope to many Asians who were fighting imperialism at the time.The spirits of the two million Koreans, who stood up against Imperial Japan, are still with us.

They are asking us today.

“What are you doing for your country?”

VANK guides you to the path of our freedom fighters.

Together, we will build a sustainable peace in Asia.

We encourage you to join our 21st century March 1^st Independence Movement.

First, spread the Korean Declaration of Independence! VANK provides the full text of the declaration in the original, contemporary Korean, English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Share it on your blog and other SNS channels. Your small action raises public awareness of the March 1^st Independence Movement.

Second, become a public advocate of our March 1^st Independence Movement. The United States Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of the Man and the Citizen are globally known. The Korean Declaration of Independence also deserves global recognition. In 1919, this declaration sparked passion in the hearts of two million people. However, the vision of the declaration has yet to be known to the world. You can see the text of the declaration in multiple languages on our website. All you need to do is copy and share it.

Third, promote the March 1^st Independence Movement and relevant historic sites. There are many historic sites in Korea and around the world where Korean freedom fighters fought for independence. Check where they are and visit nearby sites. Write about your visits to those sites on your blog and SNS channels. A big change starts at your fingertips.

Together, we will build peace in Asia.

Let’s build a better future!